Cal Crutchlow underlined his determination to enjoy maiden race winning glory in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship by comfortably heading the free practice leaderboard at the wind-swept Thruxton in Hampshire.
The HM Plant Honda rider had been on the pace throughout, upping the tempo in the afternoon session to send a warning to his rivals ahead of what will be opening race action in the country’s premier racing series.
“I’m pleased with the lap time but I have to be consistent and we are working on the machine set-up to achieve that,” said the 22 year old Coventry rider. “It is so open here, and the strong wind is difficult, but the gusts made things worse.
“It meant changing my style a little, but things are good, and having had a pole start at Croft last season, I am hoping to replicate that and then have two good podium finishes in the races.”
Crutchlow’s team-mate Leon Haslam could, however, upset those plans. He ran a little over half a second down, with a time of 1m 15.652secs, commenting: “I’m getting the times that I wanted to and have also done a full race distance runs, working on the tyres. I just need to find a bit more consistency.”
Karl Harris, like Crutchlow a former winner of the British Supersport title, was third best aboard the Rob Mac Yamaha. He had topped the times during the morning, and then bettered that lap by half a second, illustrating his competitiveness.
Former champion, and pole starter for the snow aborted Brands Hatch round, Shane Byrne, riding the Airwaves Ducati, set the fourth best time, 1m 15.970secs, running just ahead of Tom Sykes aboard the locally prepared Rizla Suzuki.
“It is very abrasive so it has good grip but is hard on tyres,” said the Huddersfield rider, adding: “It is my team’s home round so I will be trying my hardest.”
Michael Rutter ran him close, lapping in 1m 16.152secs aboard the NorthWest 200 Ducati with Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) and Simon Edwards riding the Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha in close contention.
John Laverty, riding the BuildbaseNW200 Ducati, topped the Daily Star qualifiers, recording a best lap in 1m 17.183secs, to be marginally faster than his brother Michael, riding the championship class Relentless Suzuki.
Aussie Billy McConnell and Leon Camier completed the top twelve with Chris Burns riding the STP MV Agusta a further two places back, but the second of the Cup – a race within a race for Independent teams and riders – qualifiers.
Steve Mercer, three quarters of a second down on Burns, headed the next pack of Cup qualifiers: James Buckingham, Malcolm Ashley and Michael Howarth.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Thruxton, free practice:
1. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 1:15.071s
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.581s
3. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +0.721s
4. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.899s
5. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.040s
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +1.081s
7. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +1.619s
8. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British) +1.900s
9. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +2.112s
10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +2.132s
Bennetts British Superbikes on track:
Saturday 19th April
10.25 - 11.15: Free Practice
14.15 - 15.05: ‘Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole’ Qualifying for Bennetts British Superbikes
Sunday 20th April10.50 - 11.05: Warm-up practice
13.00: Race one 20 laps
15.30: Race two 20 laps
