Rizla Suzuki’s Cal Crutchlow qualified seventh on the second row of the grid for tomorrow’s fourth round Bank Holiday Monday British Superbike races at Oulton Park in Cheshire. The 50-minute qualifying session was declared dry despite damp patches on the circuit from an earlier rain shower. After 10-minutes the track dried completely and Cal changed from a cut front tyre to full slick. He only used one qualifying tyre and set his fastest lap right at the end to secure his best Superbike qualification to date.
Chris Walker finished 13th after battling to find a set-up on his Rizla Suzuki that would allow him to slash his lap times. Ducati’s Gregorio Lavilla will start from pole position.
Superbike racing starts at 1300 on Bank Holiday Monday, May 7th, at the picturesque, flowing, 2.69mile Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire. It will be broadcast on ITV4 from 1500 and on Sky Sports 2 from 2100 on the same day.
Cal:
“That was an exciting qualifying session. We didn’t know if it would be wet or dry, I tried both my bikes and ended up getting out on my qualifier with only just enough time to set a quick lap – and thankfully it was good enough for the second row.
“I have been asking for more rear braking power all weekend and we got it right this afternoon which was brilliant. My Rizla Suzuki feels strong and I like Oulton Park, so I’m hoping for a couple of decent results.”
Chris:
“I haven’t forgotten how to ride a Superbike in the last week and my Rizla Suzuki was good enough to make the podium at Silverstone. Put simply I haven’t got the bike dialled in to Oulton Park yet.
“Tomorrow is a new day and it’s the racing that counts, so I’m looking forward to that and getting my head down and doing my best. I’ve always been a better racer than qualifier so the guys in front better watch out, there’s a very determined Rizla Suzuki that’ll be piling on the pressure wherever it can.”
Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager:
“Cal put in an amazing performance given his lack of experience, the unpredictable weather and challenging conditions through qualification. Seventh is a good position on the second row and it also marks his fastest lap of the weekend – he was only two tenths from being third. He has good race pace, is fast improving and has been practicing his starts, so our hopes are high for the races.
“Chris has struggled to get to grips with his Rizla Suzuki since the start of the weekend. He is the same rider on the same bike that finished on the podium at Silverstone, but Oulton Park has caught him out. He’s nothing if he isn’t a fighter though, and with his cracking starts you can’t rule him out no matter where he starts from on the grid. We’ll be giving him 100 per cent support tomorrow.
“The last factor that could come in to play is the weather. It is forecast to rain tomorrow and if it does then it’s back to a level playing field for everyone. Come rain or shine, it’s certainly going to be exciting.”
Qualification Times:
1: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1:35.430
2: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +0.164
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.492
4: Tom Sykes (Honda) +0.561
5: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +0.591
6: Shane Byrne (Honda) +0.665
7: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +0.715
8: Leon Camier (Honda) +0.898
9: Karl Harris (Honda) +1.411
10: Dean Thomas (Suzuki) +1.425
13: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +1.572
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