Due to the torrential rain experienced throughout the Midlands in the past 24 hours, event organisers MCRCB took the decision to cancel qualifying sessions for round 9 of the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park today, 21 July. After making numerous track inspections throughout the morning, circuit staff set about the task of clearing standing water from both the track and crucial run-off areas. Finally deemed safe to ride, the afternoon was given over to wet weather practice sessions for all classes.
Starting grid positions for Sunday's races would be predetermined upon championship positions coming into round 9. As a result, Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha's Tommy Hill will line up 10th for Sunday's two 30-lap races.
Whilst the majority of riders opted to sit out the free practice session, Tommy Hill made the most of improving conditions to ensure an optimum wet setting ahead of race day. The 22-year old from Lingfield settled in to complete 19 laps onboard his Yamaha YZF-R1, posting a fastest lap of 1:01.472s as he headed the timing sheets at the chequered flag.
Tommy Hill: "I'm happier with the way the bike is set up and the new rear Pirelli that I've been testing today. The track feels quite grippy and I'm glad I went out this afternoon. It has increased my confidence and I finished the session happy and ready to race tomorrow."
Rob McElnea: "It's proving to be another tough weekend for us all with some horrible weather conditions. We needed to get out there this afternoon, it's lifted the team spirit and increased confidence levels. We've now had some valuable track time and testing in wet conditions that can only be of an advantage to us."
SupersportVirgin Media Yamaha's Tom Grant and Billy McConnell made the most of the conditions, and the afternoon's sole Supersport free practice session, to solidify a wet weather setting at Mallory Park today, 21 July.
Tom quickly posted a string of fast laps, moving to the top of the timing screens byhis fifth lap. Billy McConnell remained in the Virgin Media Yamaha Supersport garage until the final third of the session before taking to the track for 9 laps. The young Australian quickly continued where he left off on Friday - at the head of the field - with Tom in second at the chequered flag.
Billy and Tom will start Sunday's 28-lap Supersport race from 7th & 8th positions respectively on the second row of the grid.
Billy McConnell: "I felt pretty good. The track conditions were fine. There was no standing water left and it was generally drying up. It was really helpful to get out there and do some laps and get my head cleared ahead of tomorrow."
Tom Grant:"I felt really comfortable and managed to drop a second in my last lap. It was good to have that time out on track and it felt like there was plenty of grip. The bike and tyres felt great."
Virgin Media CupWith grid starting positions already determined by Championship position, free practice times for round 8 of the 2007 Virgin Media Cup were purely academic.
However, the twenty-minute session did give the riders the opportunity to acclimatise to the 1.41-mile Mallory Park circuit.
James Webb took the early lead, but a resurgent Dean Hipwell propelled himself to the top inside the final ten minutes. Into the final two minutes and Leo Aldersley took control with a 1:12.317s on his 13th lap of the session. However, as the chequered flag greeted the riders denoting the climax of the session, Dean Hipwell and David Paton moved into first and second respectively of what would have become an interesting from row.
Danny Harrison has re-joined the Virgin Media Cup after missing the last two rounds and will be looking to add to his 17 Championship points. With the addition of Harrison to the grid, 25 riders will now start Sunday's 18-lap race, scheduled for 14.40.
Niall Mackenzie, Cup Mentor:"I'm really pleased that they all put in a very mature performance and made the most of the track time available. This practice has enabled them all to be high on confidence and ready for race day tomorrow."
Although the race schedule itself will remain the same, morning warm-up sessions will be replaced by free practice. Round 9 of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship kicks off proceedings with race 1 at 13.00 on Sunday 22 July, followed immediately by British Supersport at 13.50. The Virgin Media Cup lines up on the grid at 14.40, with the second British Superbike race scheduled for 15.40.
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