Michael Rutter’s sixth Macau Grand Prix victory

Raceline Photography
By blue2bikes
November 21 2005

Michael Rutter once again entered the history books as being one of the most successful competitors in the Macau Grand Prix, by equalling fellow British rider ‘Rocket’ Ron Haslam’s record of six wins.

Not content with winning this event, Mike led from start to finish at a blistering pace aboard the Red Bull-backed 1000cc Honda. In fact, no other competitor came close to catching him, let alone overtaking him. By lap four he was already two seconds up on his closest rival, John McGuinness. Crossing the finish line an incredible 16.66 seconds ahead of John, this was a masterful ride by Mike, and shows he was a man on a mission to defeat anyone who dared to compete against him.

Paul Bird was delighted to see Mike take first place, after signing him for the British Superbike series next year, aboard the Stobart-backed 1000c Honda, and taking such a dominant win at Macau.

Scotsman Les Shand, aboard his 1000cc AIM Yamaha, also had a great ride (after his crash during the final round of the BSB Championship at Brands Hatch) to post a third placing after battling with Ian Lougher aboard his 1000cc Slingshot Honda, and overtaking Ian on lap nine. Ian, unable to stay with the hard riding Les, took fourth spot some six seconds down.

Unfortunately, the event was marred by the death of 45-year-old Frenchman Bruno Bonhuil, who had suffered fatal injuries after a warm-up crash earlier in the day. Out of the 37 strong field, six European competitors pulled out as a mark of respect for the Frenchman at the end of the opening lap. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

Here are the final results:
1 Michael Rutter, Red Bull Honda, 37min 46.205secs
2 John McGuinness, Stobart Honda, +16.661s
3 Les Shand, A.I.M. Racing Yamaha, +27.748s
4 Ian Lougher, Slingshot Racing Honda, +33.655s
5 Stephen Thompson ,MSS Discovery Racing Kawasaki, +45.128s
6 Mark Miller, Superbikelife.com Suzuki, +46.389s
7 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Racing Kawasaki, +46.759*
8 Adrian Archibald, A.I.M. Racing Yamaha, +57.220s
9 James McBride, JV Racing Suzuki, +1m 9.047s
10 Ian Hutchinson, DMR Racing Honda, +1m 9.935s*
11 Cameron Donald, Klaffi Honda, +1m 9.971s*
12 Guy Martin, BTS Racing Suzuki, +1m 28.201s
13 Paul Hunt, Stobart Honda, +2m 0.443s
14 Tiago Magalhaes, Moto Marcelino Honda, +2m 1.298s
15 Martin Finnegan, Klaffi Honda, +2m 32.813s
16 Sou Se Hong, Ao’s Racing Team Suzuki, +1 lap
17 João Fernandes, Macau Bikes Racing Yamaha, +1 lap*
18 Keith Stewart, McKinstry Skip Hire Yamaha, +1 lap
19 Antoni Moreira, AG-Racing Aprilia, +1 lap
20 Nuno Silva, Portugal / Albufeira Kawasaki, +1 lap
21 Jason Broome, Maxed-Out Racing Yamaha, +1 lap*
22 Wong Man Kwong, Wong Man Kwong Suzuki, +1 lap
23 Leong Iok Choi, Ao’s Racing Team Suzuki, +1 lap

* Supersport 600 class

did not finish:
Callum Ramsay, Klaffi Honda, 14 laps*
Steve Crevier, Diablo Racing Honda, 11 laps
Pete Jennings, Matlock Motomax Honda, 10 laps
John Haner, Lees Cycle Racing Honda, 8 laps
Dennis Hobbs, Stobart Honda, 7 laps
Jun Maeda, Pirelli Allstar Aiming Honda, 7 laps*
Thomas Hinterreiter, Austria Racing Team Yamaha, 0 laps
Marcel Kellenberger, Bolliger Team Kawasaki, 0 laps
Franky Heidger, Betandwin de Team Suzuki, 0 laps
Stéphane Mertens, DMR Racing Suzuki, 0 laps
Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Racing Kawasaki, 0 laps*
Karl Truchsess, Austria Racing Team Yamaha, 0 laps

* Supersport 600 class