Freak Weather Brings A Halt To Qualifying At Mallory

Torrential downpours during the last 24-hours have brought qualifying to a halt today at Mallory Park, round nine of the Bennetts British Superbike series. The rain has proved to be so heavy that parts of the track have flooded, leaving organisers no option but to cancel all the qualifying sessions and run free practice sessions instead, with the grid positions determined by championship positions in all classes. In today’s second free practice session ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki’s Michael Rutter was second fastest behind Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha rider Tommy Hill. Michael’s grid slot going into tomorrow’s race will be on the back of the fourth row in 12th.

Team-mate Stuart Easton was fourth-fastest in yesterday’s first free practice session, but should start the MAXXIS British Supersport race in his championship position of tenth.

Yesterday’s sessions were halted after up-and-coming Superbike rider Ollie Bridewell sustained fatal injuries after crashing his Naturally Best Suzuki GSX-R1000 at the Esses. Everybody involved with the ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki team wishes to send their profound sympathies to Ollie’s family, friends and everyone at Team Naturally Best.

Should the weather improve so race day can go ahead as planned, the first of the Bennetts British Superbike races is scheduled to get underway at 1pm with the second one screened live on ITV1 at 3.40pm.

Nick Morgan, Team owner

“The conditions have been awful all through the weekend so we fully support the decision made by race control to scrap today’s proceedings. Yesterday was a very tough day after what happened to Ollie. He was maturing well as a Superbike rider and our heart-felt sympathies go out to his team, friends and family.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, grid positions:

1. Ryuichi Kiyonari
2. Jonathan Rea
3. Leon Haslam
4. Gregorio Lavilla
5. Shane Byrne
12: Michael Rutter, ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki

MAXXIS British Supersport Championship, grid positions:

1. Michael Laverty
2. Ian Lowry
3. Dennis Hobbs
4. Jamie Robinson
5. Ian Hutchinson
10: Stuart Easton, ISILON MSS Discovery Kawasaki

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Freak Weather Brings A Halt To Qualifying At Mallory

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