IOMTT: Anstey Laps 112 MPH on the Mugen Shinden San

When it comes to single-lap speed, Bruce Anstey is the man at the Isle of Man this year. Setting the outright fastest lap ever around the Snaefell Mountain Course, on the last lap of the Dainese Superbike TT no less, Anstey has another record to be proud of at the 2014 Isle of Man TT: the fastest TT lap ever on an electric motorcycle, at 112.355 mph unofficial.

For those not keeping up with the TT Zero news, Bruce Anstey is playing teammate to John McGuinness on Team Mugen. The Japanese tuning brand has brought its third-generation electric superbike to the TT, appropriately calling the 500+ lbs behemoth the Mugen Shinden San (san meaning “three” in Japanese).

Mugen is heavily favored to win the TT Zero race this year, as rival MotoCzysz has bowed out of this year’s competition, while Michael Czysz wages his own battle against a personal illness.

This leaves the two Mugen machines as likely to provide the main on-track action, with Anstey already proving capable of giving McGuinness stern competition. McPint has had a tough outing so far this TT, and has admitted to being off the pace. Putting in a disappointing 7th place finish during the Superbike TT, McGuinness will be keen to find the top podium step in the other solo-classes.

With Monday hosting the second night of TT Zero qualifying/practice, Anstey’s lap is likely not to last long in the record books, as Mugen is slowly dialing up the speed on the Shinden San. The Japanese team has made no secret about targeting a 115 mph lap, which would put the electrics on par with the 650cc twins in the Lightweight TT class.

While that mark is still a bit off from the 132 mph lap Anstery managed on his Honda CBR1000RR SP, it is impressive to note the pace that the top electric teams have shown over the years — with each passing TT giving way to an additional ~5 mph around the Mountain Course.

If teams like Mugen can maintain that rate of development, it could mean only be a few more years until we start talking about an electric superbike holding the outright lap record at the Isle of Man TT…now that’s something to chew on.