Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha came away from Knockhill, Scotland with their best overall results of the season. Lead rider, 21 year old Tommy Hill just missed out on a podium position, finishing in an amazing fourth in the second race. Aussie Billy McConnell broke his jinx of not finishing two races in a day and came away with a 18th and 15th despite it being his first time at Knockhill on a Superbike. Team mate Kieran Clarke continues his good run and equalled his best finish of the season so far with twelfth place in race two.
In the first race Tommy knew he had to make a strong start from the third row of the grid as overtaking is tough around Knockhill. Hill moved up into sixth on lap one putting him in the hunt for a great result. Blistering temperatures into the nineties caused a few set up problems for the Team and Tommy slipped to 8th with team mate Kieran Clarke in a confidence-boosting 16th and Billy McConnell in 18th.
The team learned from race one and made some crucial changes to the bike set up which put them in a strong position for race two.
Again Tommy got a fantastic start and was up into sixth chasing Michael Laverty. Championship leader Gregorio Lavilla made a rare mistake and crashed out uninjured. Race one winner Ryuichi Kiyonari suffered mechanical problems taking him out of the running. This left a real chance for Tommy to score a top result.
The changes the Team made in between races improved Hill's time by around half a second a lap allowing him to challenge Laverty for fourth place and secure another fantastic result for Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha and Pirelli.
Kieran Clarke rode a strong race to equal his best result of the season and Billy McConnell went well to finish in 15th.
Tommy Hill said: "I am chuffed with fourth place, I had some problems in the first race with corner entry, but I have been feeling confident all weekend and Knockhill is such a physical track that it suits my riding style. I was pleased to come away with eighth in the first race and knew I could do better in the second. To get a fourth here is awesome, it was a great weekend and the Scottish fans are ace. I always ride well at Oulton which is the next round, so hopefully we can go one better and get on the podium again."
Billy McConnell said: "Considering this is my first time here on a 1000cc bike, I am pretty pleased with my results. I am frustrated not to get a top ten finish as I am sure I can run with those guys. When I was here in the Virgin Mobile Cup last year, I got pole position and then crashed out in the race so I wanted to go better here a year on but I have learned a lot and look forward to Oulton Park next weekend."
Kieran Clarke said: "I feel like I have turned the season around now, I just wish it had happened a bit earlier in the year. I am pleased with twelfth and from here I can build on my confidence and start getting top ten finishes every round."
Rob Mac said: "What an amazing weekend, the guys all did so well. We have come away with our best overall set of results for the team and all our riders and bikes intact. Tommy rode with maturity and confidence and thoroughly deserved his fourth place and I am thrilled for KC and Billy too. The British Championship is by far the toughest domestic championship in the world and for all three riders to score points is a great achievement by the team. Lead rider Tommy Hill continues to impress the establishment with his consistent front running pace and we keep seeing the potential of Kieran Clarke and rookie Billy McConnell."
Superbike Race One Result:1 Ryuichi Kiyonari 24:34.062,
2 Shane Byrne +0.591,
3 Leon Haslam +1.461,
4 Jonathan Rea +2.361,
5 Michael Laverty +15.458,
6 Craig Coxhell +19.204,
7 Karl Harris +19.657,
8 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +20.093,
9 Glen Richards +20.185,
10 Scott Smart +20.246
13 Michael Rutter +36.249
14 Gary Mason +36.638,
15 James Buckingham +38.225,
16 Kieran Clarke Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +40.193,
17 Peter Hickman +40.912,
18 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +41.725.
Superbike Race Two Result:1 Shane Byrne 24m 28.093 ,
2 Jonathan Rea +3.154,
3 Leon Haslam +3.454,
4 Tommy Hill Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +16.542,
5 Michael Laverty +16.783,
6 Karl Harris +19.155,
7 Scott Smart +19.243,
8 Glen Richards +20.265,
9 Craig Coxhell +21.543,
10 Michael Rutter +27.247,
11 Ben Wilson +31.865,
12 Kieran Clarke Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +32.224,
13 James Buckingham +32.586, 14 Ollie Bridewell +35.981
15 Billy Mcconnell Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha +36.010.
2006 Bennetts British Superbike Championship remaining race dates:R9: 21-23 July, Oulton Park, Cheshire
R10:11-13 August, Croft, N Yorks
R11: 26-28 August, Cadwell Park, Lincs
R12: 15-17 September, Silverstone, Northants
R13: 29 September – 1 October, Brands Hatch, Kent (GP)
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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