Ryan Farquhar made up for the disappointment of retiring in two of the week’s earlier events by storming to victory in this morning’s Isle of Man Steam Packet Supersport Junior B Race. 

Apart from a brief period at the start, Ryan led all the way to take the chequered flag by 14 seconds from Jason Griffiths. Raymond Porter was third, 15 seconds behind Griffiths. Next were Guy Martin, Martin Finnegan and Japanese rider Jun Maeda who finished in an excellent sixth position. Another achievement worthy of note was that of Australian newcomer Cameron Donald who was 11th.

Farquhar’s winning time was 1 hour 15 minutes 1.42 seconds, an average speed of 120.697 miles an hour. Griffiths’ chase up the mountain to try and catch Farquhar on the last lap resulted in him recording the fastest lap of the race at 122.54.

The close racing, which has been a feature of this week, was again in evidence nine miles from the start with only 12 seconds covering the first 15 riders. Early leader was John McGuinness who was less than a second ahead of Farquhar with Monday’s winner, Ian Lougher, close behind.

By the time the riders had reached Ballaugh Bridge on lap one Farquhar had overtaken McGuinness and the leader was given more breathing space when McGuinness was reported to be touring at the Mountain Box and soon afterwards came news of his retirement. Another early retirement was that of Superstock winner Bruce Anstey who was forced to call it a day at Parliament Square in Ramsey while Adrian Archibald retired at the pits. At the end of the lap Farquhar led by four seconds from Lougher with Jason Griffiths a further nine seconds away in third place.

Farquhar moved further ahead on lap two when Lougher was forced to retire, bringing Jason Griffiths into second place followed by Raymond Porter and Guy Martin. The end of lap two saw Farquhar leading by 16 seconds from Jason Griffiths who had a similar advantage over Porter.

There was little change on the third lap and as the leaders set out on their final circuits Farquhar led Griffiths by 18 seconds but Porter was only three seconds away in third place and the battle was really on between Griffiths and Porter for the runner-up spot. However, Griffiths pulled away from Porter as he set off on an unsuccessful pursuit of Farquhar.

Bruno Bonhuil and Walter Cordoba both crashed at Creg-ny-Baa but were said to be uninjured, while Rob Frost went to hospital for treatment after coming off at the Water Works. He was discharged shortly afterwards.

Dirk Kaletsch, who crashed at Ballagarey in Monday’s Supersport Junior A Race, has now been discharged from Noble’s Hospital. He had been treated for arm and shoulder injuries. Meanwhile, Nigel Davies, who suffered a fractured femur in Sunday’s Superbike Race, is described as ‘quite comfortable in hospiital.’