Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha have two reasons to be cheerful on qualifying day at Snetterton in the seventh round of the British Superbike Championship. First, the amazing Tommy Hill produced an epic performance in qualifying and starts from the front row of the grid at Snettterton for race day tomorrow (Sunday 18 June). Second, Pirelli is celebrating their first ever front row start in the British Superbike Championship.
Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha are in high spirits after both Tommy Hill and Billy McConnell raised their game and secured their best starts on the grid this season. Tommy starts from the front row alongside the cream of the British Superbike Championship; Haslam, Lavilla and Kiyonari.
Tommy Hill said: “I am really pleased to get on the front row, up until now third row has been my best start. After a bad week at Mallory, this is just what I needed to boost my confidence. The Pirelli tyres were working great and the bike was running really well. I am happy to be running with the big guns and we will just have to see whether I can stick with them. I just want to get into a rhythm and get settled and hopefully we should get a good result.”
Aussie Billy McConnell was running in eighth for most of the qualifying session and was disappointed to come away with his eventual 13th position, despite it being his best start of the season.
Billy McConnell said: “I aimed to get a top ten start this weekend and I am frustrated to be back on the fourth row again. I just have to keep positive and keep focused, considering my best finish is 12th, as long as I can keep on the pace round here, we should be ok tomorrow.”
21 year old Kieran Clarke made some adjustments to the bike during qualifying and starts from 20th on the grid.
Kieran Clarke: “I am a bit frustrated, I just seem to take too long to get settled in qualifying sessions, but I have made progress and would just like to score some points tomorrow.”
Team Manager Rob McElnea said: “This is a fantastic performance from the team. Considering Tommy was in hospital last weekend, he has made an outstanding comeback and starts from the front row of the grid where he belongs. He has been strong all weekend and we are looking forward to seeing what he can pull out of the bag on race day. Billy had a silly crash this morning and we had to rebuild his bike, but despite that he still rode maturely and I am sure he will continue to impress us tomorrow.”
Steffan Baum of Pirelli said: “We are really pleased to have our first front row start in the British Superbike Championship. It is a great achievement for us to be competitive at this level. We are enjoying working with the Team and now the development has come good. We are confident that this will be the first of many successes."
Qualifying Times:1 Leon Haslam 1:04.500,
2 Gregorio Lavilla +0.429,
3 Ryuichi Kiyonari +0.520,
4 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +0.806,
5 Karl Harris +0.898,
6 Michael Rutter +0.943,
7 James Haydon +0.950,
8 Jonathan Rea +0.961,
9 Simon Andrews +1.177,
10 Dean Thomas +1.180,
11 Michael Laverty +1.246,
12 Jon Kirkham +1.284,
13 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +1.385
20 Kieran Clarke Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +1.974
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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