Source: Supplied.

History was made in the opening race of the 2016 Isle of Man TT races, fuelled by Monster Energy, as Michael Dunlop shattered the lap and race records to record the first ever sub-17-minute lap of the Mountain Course to win the RST Superbike race.

The 27-year old’s first two laps were both under 17 minutes, the quickest being 133.393mph to win by 19s from Ian Hutchinson, who was also inside the outright lap record, with John McGuinness claiming third.

Dunlop’s race-winning time was a staggering 1m15.643s inside the old race record, while Aussie David Johnson’s excellent ride on the Norton ended with a seventh place and a new best lap by the Norton at 130.872mph.

Aboard the Honda RC213V-S MotoGP replica New Zealand’s Bruce Anstey moved forward from 12th on lap one to finish the race in 10th position.

In Sidecars, John Holden and Andy Winkle claimed their second win at the Isle of Man TT five years after their first win, when they benefited from the final lap retirement of Ben and Birchall.

The Lancastrian pair took a dramatic victory by almost a minute from Peter Founds/Jevan Walmsley with brother Alan Founds, partnered by Aki Aalto, in third.

It was a sad day at the TT, as Australian sidecar driver Dwight Beare, 27, was killed following an accident near Rhencullen during Sidecar race one. The race was immediately red flagged.

Paul Shoesmith, 50, was killed following an accident on Sulby Straight during the evening’s solo practice. He achieved his fastest ever lap around the TT Mountain Course in today’s Superbike race, lapping at 125.896mph and finishing 29th.