Tommy Hill has resigned to ride for the Team for 2007 and will once again spearhead the Virgin Mobile Yamaha Superbike campaign. Tommy has pledged his commitment to Rob McElnea and will begin the development of the all-new Yamaha R1 in the winter months.
Tommy Hill said: “I am having a great season with my Team, the support from Pirelli and the new bike will really give me and my Team the opportunity to move to the next level. I have a great Team around me giving me confidence. Continuity is crucial in this job and I am looking forward to finishing 2006 strong and having a great 2007.”
Rob McElnea added: “We have come a long way with Tommy and have seen him mature into one of the best young prospects in the UK, his commitment to our plan with Pirelli and machine development is now paying off and I feel that 2007 will be his year.”
With the excitement of Team decisions out of the way, Tommy put together a fine qualifying performance today (16 September) at Silverstone at the 12th round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Missing out on the front row start by seven thousandths of a second, fifth position will give Tommy a great chance to break with the front runners with his normal lightening start.
Tommy Hill said: “That’s so frustrating to miss out on the front row by that much I am happy for race day and feel I can run in the top five. I want to finish strong in these final two rounds, the Pirellis are getting better every weekend and I would like to get a couple of podiums for the Team.”
Billy McConnell left his best performance until the dying minutes securing a fine third row position of twelfth. The 19 year old Virgin Mobile Cup champion is feeling upbeat about getting a strong result.
Billy McConnell said: “I’m getting more confident with the Qualifying tyres and giving myself much more of a chance on race day. I am in some good company on the third row and want a couple of strong finishes tomorrow.”
Team Manager Rob McElnea said: “The guys did great, Tommy nearly on the front and Billy stepping up to the next level is just what we want at this time of the year, we could do with a couple of podiums to end the season and I know that both the guys are going to give 100%.”
Qualifying results at Silverstone:1 Gregorio Lavilla 1:25.174
2 Leon Haslam 1:25.209
3 Ryuichi Kiyonari 1:25.569
4 Jonathan Rea 1:25.723
5 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:25.730
6 Karl Harris 1:25.738
7 Michael Rutter 1:25.778
8 Shane Byrne 1:25.936
9 Michael Laverty 1:25.982
10 James Haydon 1:26.304
11 Peter Hickman 1:26.366
12 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha 1:26.395
13 Ben Wilson 1:26.427
14 Craig Coxhell 1:26.606
15 Dean Thomas 1:26.742
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
Related News
