Tommy Hill had his first taste of the World Superbike experience today (Friday 26th May) when he was out on the Northamptonshire circuit for free practice and qualifying practice. 21 year old, Lingfield in Surrey based Hill is a wild card entry into the European round of the Corona Extra World Superbike Championship and has made a tremendous start to the weekend of racing.
Torrential rain poured down on Silverstone first thing this morning and soaked the track, but the conditions were dry for the practice sessions.
Virgin Mobile Cup graduate Hill got his teeth into the international action and for much of the hour long morning practice was fifth quickest, Hill was happy with the Bike set-up and came into the garage in a positive mood.
Tommy said: "Everything on the bike was feeling great and I didn't see the point in carrying on with the session and risk anything happening."
Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha's Tommy Hill was 12th fastest after the morning session was completed.
By the afternoon the track had dried out and the pace was noticeably faster, but young-gun Hill was not afraid to mix it up with the older, more experienced internationally-renowned riders. After some thrilling racing, Tommy finished in a well-deserved 12th place.
Tommy said:"When you like at the names either side of me, I think I am doing ok, I am really enjoying myself. It's great to know that everyone is on the same tyres, I know that has given me a huge confidence boost."
Team Manager, Rob McElnea said: "It's great to see Tom looking so happy, he is walking around with a big smile on his face. We don't want to get too excited too soon, but he has done so well. The bike is going really strong and is really competitive. Tommy is waving the flag for Britain, the BSB, the Virgin Mobile Cup and all our sponsors. He is a fantastic ambassador and I am so proud of him. Tomorrow is another day, but I am confident he is going to continue his good attitude and racing."
Saturday action:11:00-12:00 Qualifying practice
14:45-15:45 Free Practice
16:00 Superpole
Qualifying Practice Results:1. Troy Bayliss AUS 1:27.011
2. Troy Corser AUS 1:27.068
3. Fonsi Nieto SPA 1:27.205
4. Noriyuki Haga JPN Yamaha 1:27.364
5. James Toseland GBR 1:27.418
6. Andrew Pitt AUS Yamaha 1:27.539
7. Yukio Kagayama JPN 1:27.599
8. Karl Muggeridge AUS 1:27.648
9. Chris Walker GBR 1:27.656
10. Regis Laconi ITA 1:27.721
11. Sebastien Gimbert ITA Yamaha 1:27.730
12. TOMMY HILL VIRGIN MOBILE YAMAHA 1:27.807
13. Ruben Xaus SPA 1:27.810
14. Alex Barros BRA 1:27.940
15. Michel Fabrizio ITA 1:28.078
Related Linkswww.virginmobileracing.com
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