The Ballymoney rider shattered the lap record for the 1000cc production with a speed of 127.22mph.

He followed that up by clocking 127.28mph in the Superbike class - only the second time he was astride the big new Suzuki.

Suzukis were also to the fore with Welshman Ian Lougher and Richard Britton on board.

Lougher, who had a spill during the Supersport 600 practice, was second quickest in the production class with Britton third.

It was the same one, two three in the Superbikes, as Archibald proved just too quick.

''It's just over a week since I defected from the Honda squad to rejoin Suzuki, but already I feel like a new man,'' said Archibald.

''These bikes are like dream machines. My confidence has been restored and now the racing is beiginning to appeal to me again.''

Local rider Ryan Farquhar topped the charts in the 400cc with a speed of 220.38mph, while Lisburn's Darren Lindsay had a triple success in Thursday's outing.

He topped the 600cc production with a speed of 118.87mph and then followed that up with 111.57 in the 125cc and 116.23 in the 250cc practice.

Moira's Gary Jess posted three second fastest times in the 600cc production, supersport and 400cc.

Scotsman Iain Duffus set the pace in the 600 supersport at 120.94mph.

Missing on top of the leaderboards was Yorkshire's David Jefferies who is the official lap record holder.

Although his Yamaha could not match the Suzukis, he will still be a threat come Saturday.

''The opening practice session was near enough a waste of time, because I had to alter the gearing,'' said Jefferies who clocked 126.86 for his record back in 1999.

Friday's practice was rounded off by the naming of the new Dundrod stand after the late road racing legend Joey Dunlop.

The Armoy man's former rival Ron Haslam described the ceremony as "well deserved".

"He'd have been so pleased at this honour," added Haslam.