Billy McConnell lines up on the front row of the grid on his Virgin Media Yamaha YZF-R6 for the fourth race in succession. The 20-year old Australian rider spent the majority of the morning qualifying session vying for provisional pole position. With the track recovering from a brief shower during mid-afternoon, Billy was unable to improve on his time of 1:39.376. Billy's morning time proved unsurpassable and he will line up second on the grid for tomorrow's 16-lap race around the 2.692mile Cheshire circuit.
Team-mate Tom Grant, is still very sore but on the road to recovery after his crash a week ago. He managed a time of 1:41.193 to put him in 8th during the first qualifying session. Concentrating on running a consistent race pace, and weather conditions not conducive to improving lap times, Tom was unable better his time from the morning and dropped down to 9th.
Billy McConnell: "I'm happy with that, ideally I would of nipped pole from Dennis but the conditions this afternoon wouldn't allow me to. I'm looking to have a good race tomorrow."
Tom Grant: "To be honest with you I'm struggling a bit today, I'm feeling really sore from the crash at Silverstone last week. I know that I have a good race set-up though, I managed to make up places on my qualifying position last week in much more pain than I am now so hopefully it will go the same way tomorrow."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal:"Billy did well to qualify 2nd this morning and with the track temperature and conditions changing this afternoon the time stuck. Tom is feeling the pressure of his injuries from last week and is still a bit battered and bruised. I feel confident that both Billy and Tom will have a strong race tomorrow."
British SuperbikeWeather reports had suggested that showers would blight the Cheshire circuit by mid-afternoon for the qualifying session of round four of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park, today, 6 May.
By 3pm the track was coated in a slippery film of moisture, and many of the riders remained in their pit garage. A stiff breeze blowing across the circuit soon had the track dry again. Tommy immediately put his Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha into a provisional front row start. Team-mate for the weekend, Hudson Kennaugh, proved equally impressive early on as he occupied 12th position.
The inclement weather conditions throughout the session unfortunately had an adverse effect on the Pirelli qualifying tyres. As a result neither rider could improve on times set during the early exchanges on race rubber. Tommy lines up in 12th, while Hudson will take his place in the middle of row five for Monday's two 17-lap races.
Hudson Kennaugh:
"I'm really happy with the progress that I've made so far this weekend. On race tyres I've been hovering around the top 10 and feel like I have a good race tyre and set-up. I've never really used qualifiers before and we have had a problem with them today so it's difficult to say where I would have ended up but ideally I'd like to be at least a row forward."
Tommy Hill: "I've been running in the top 6 all weekend. For qualifying I realistically wanted to be on the front two rows so I can be there, or there about for the race. We started qualifying well on race tyres but the changing conditions have affected our qualifying tyre performance hence I ended in 12th place."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "We are disappointed in the ultimate qualifying positions. However, we know that we are running some good times on race tyres. In hindsight I'd rather it be that way. So far our high qualifying positions have not seemed to help us, so perhaps it's a good omen for race day."
Virgin Media CupJames Webb lines up in pole position for the second time this season for the 12-lap Virgin Media Cup race. Virgin Media Cup championship leader BJ Toal was within four tenths of a second as he qualified second.
After setting the early pace for the meeting posting a 1:45.956 during the Free Practice session, James suffered a mechanical problem after three laps of qualifying leaving him languishing in 19th. The rest of the field took full advantage, with Midge Smart occupying provisional pole for the majority of the session.
Leo Aldersley and Dane Hellyer had visions of a front row start posting a string of fast lap times that saw the pair run in second and fourth respectively. David Paton also looked impressive around the 2.692mile circuit, claiming fifth at the chequered flag.
James Webb returned his Yamaha YZF-R6 to the pit garage after just three laps to switch to the spare machine. The 17-year old quickly made inroads from 19th towards a front row start. Six laps later and James had achieved his goal with a lap time of 1:40.284.
Leon Morris hoped to repeat his pole at Thruxton but his fastest lap of 1:47.077 was only good enough to elevate him onto the tail of the front row.
James Webb: "I'm delighted with another pole position, I had a few problems through the session with my bike so it got a little hectic at one point. I like Oulton Park so I'm looking forward to the race and hope for another win to catch BJ in the Championship."
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