From a press release issued by the Macau Grand Prix:

Rutter Back on Top in Macau

Michael Rutter, the 31-year-old racer from Leicestershire, topped the second free practice session for Saturday’s 38th running of the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix-Hotel Fortuna, this afternoon.

Rutter, on the 1000cc Red Bull Honda, had only been fourth fastest in the morning session, but was quickest of all in this outing, though he failed to go faster than he had earlier in the day.

His pre-race rival, John McGuinness (999cc Monstermob Ducati), who had been best in the early morning, was second quickest just six tenths of a second down.

Austrian Thomas Hinterreiter (1000cc Yamaha), second fastest in the morning, was third best but almost two and a half seconds slower than McGuinness.

First-time American visitor, Josh Hayes (1000cc Attack Racing Kawasaki) continued his astonishing debut performance by setting fourth quickest time after being eighth best in the morning.

Callum Ramsay, the 29-year-old Scot, continued to dominate the FIM 600 Supersport class. He was again quicker than his Valmoto Triumph team mate Chris Palmer with last year’s winner, Australian Cameron Donald third best on his China Yuan XGJao Honda.

The session was halted following an incident involving the Austrian rider Erwin Wilding (1000cc Honda).

Editorial Note:

Due to a long oil clean-up delay and resulting poor track conditions (caused by one of the car classes), the first qualifying session was shortened to 30 minutes and re-classified as a free practice session. The one and only qualifying session will take place Friday.

The session was cut even shorter when Wilding crashed his Honda CBR1000RR in high-speed turn one and was seriously injured. He was rushed to the local hospital and taken via helicopter to the nearest trauma center. At post time, Wilding was reported to have suffered a severe head injury and was unconscious.

Turn one is a left hand turn taken at the top of fourth gear, at well over 100 mph, and, like the majority of the track, has no run-off.


Thursday’s Afternoon Practice Times:

1. Michael RUTTER, GBR, Honda, 2:35.362
2. John McGUINNESS, GBR, Ducati, 2:36.008
3. Thomas HINTERREITER, AUT, Yamaha, 2:38.354
4. Josh HAYES, USA, Kawasaki, 2:39.222
5. Marcel KELLENBERGER, SUI, Kawasaki, 2:39.417
6. Gus SCOTT, GBR, Honda, 2:40.781
7. Jeremy TOYE, USA, Yamaha, 2:41.760
8. Richard BRITTON, GBR, Suzuki, 2:41.882
9. James McBRIDE, GBR, Suzuki, 2:42.118
10. Stuart EASTON, GBR, Ducati, 2:42.522
11. Jos LEITE, POR, Kawasaki, 2:42.607
12. Jun MAEDA, JPN, Honda, 2:42.869
13. Martin FINNEGAN, IRL, Yamaha, 2:43.433
14. Nigel DAVIES, GBR, Suzuki, 2:44.451
15. Callum RAMSAY, GBR, Triumph, 2:44.552
16. Horst SAIGER, AUT, Yamaha, 2:44.835
17. Rui REIGOTO, POR, Suzuki, 2:44.852
18. Chris PALMER, GBR, Triumph, 2:45.016
19. Geoff MAY, USA, Suzuki, 2:45.604
20. Cameron DONALD, AUS, Honda, 2:46.196

36. Erwin WILDING, AUT, Honda, 2:53.817

41. Markus BARTH, GER, Kawasaki, 3:36.022
42. Pete JENNINGS, GBR, Honda, 4:04.918