Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha rider Tommy Hill stole through to qualify in the top ten ahead of round 8 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire yesterday, 14 July.
Friday's Free Practice had been blighted by persistent rain, with conditions worsening throughout the afternoon. Saturday morning saw a change of fortune in the weather, as the riders took to the 2.69-mile circuit in brilliant sunshine. But despite the favourable change in track conditions, a lost day of dry track time hindered the team's progress a little. The main focus of the weekend had been finding the optimum set-up with the brand new chassis.
Tommy Hill
"We've been making changes to the bike throughout the weekend Ideally we'd have had two whole days of dry conditions to work through the fine tuning to the set-up and to get the complete package right. All said and done, I'd like to be at least a row further forward but come race day it can all change. Let's see what tomorrow brings."
Supersport
The Virgin Media Yamaha duo of Tom Grant and Billy McConnell will line up on the second and third rows respectively for Sunday's 16-lap Supersport race at Oulton Park. Dramatic weather changes made very different free practice and qualifying conditions, leaving the Supersport riders with a very wet free practice day and two dry qualifying sessions.
Having both achieved podium finishes already this season, Billy and Tom will be looking to replicate their successes despite the weather conditions tipped to be changing back to rain for tomorrow's race.
Tom Grant
"I'm pretty frustrated because I got held up whilst on qualifiers. With that in mind it's another second row start for me and I managed to convert it into a podium last time out at Knockhill."
Billy McConnell
"There's been a few drama's today - we've changed my bikes around a bit to get the right power and set-up ratio. I didn't qualify as well as I would have liked but I have got a good race tyre and set-up now, so I'll have to make the most of it and get a good start tomorrow."
Virgin Media Cup
As the minutes ticked down, James Webb snatched his fourth pole position of the season out of the hands of the young Scot, David Paton in the action-packed qualifying for round 7 of the Virgin Media Cup. Championship leader BJ Toal will line up third on the grid, posting a best lap just 0.15-seconds off the pole time. Midge Smart rounds out the front row.
Despite crashing out at Old Hall on his seventh lap, South African rider Dane Hellyer clung onto fifth for the remainder of the session. A rejuvenated Robbie Brown lines up alongside Leon Morris and David Haire to complete row two.
With just 1.5-seconds separating the top ten, Sunday's 12-lap race promises to provide yet another exciting, close fought chapter in the 2007 Virgin Media Cup.
James Webb
"I'm pleased with that. It's pretty close between the front row and to get the advantage over BJ is always a good thing. I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow, especially after having not raced at Knockhill due to the horrible weather conditions."
Niall Mackenzie, Cup Mentor
"It's proved to be another really close qualifying session, with the top four swapping positions in the closing minutes. We all know that James is keen to catch up on championship points but we cannot discount any of the front row for the win tomorrow. I'm sure it will be a close race."
An action-packed schedule begins with round 7 of the Virgin Media Cup at 13.00, followed by round 8 of the Bennetts British Superbike and Supersport Championships.
ITV1 Broadcast window, 15.30 - 17.00
Sky Sports 2, delayed coverage, 19.30 - 23.00
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