Rob Mac Racing's Karl Harris secured a third row start, as The Swan Combi 50 - Roll for Pole qualifying session for the fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship proved to be an exercise in caution at Donington Park today (25th May).
Karl had not been outside of the top three on the timing sheets during free practice, posting the fastest time of weekend (1:31.776s) on his penultimate lap of the final session. However, the forecast would prove correct and the weather took a dramatic turn for the worse as the morning programme came to a close.
With rain persistently falling from the lunch break, the 2.5-mile Leicestershire circuit transformed into a treacherous greasy skating pond. Rob Mac Racing Yamaha rider, Karl Harris, tentatively negotiated the sweeping Craner Curve complex for the first few laps, unfortunately losing the front end at the righ-hand McLean's corner on his third circulation. Returning to the pit garage, Karl's second machine was fired into life, allowing Karl to move through the field inside the top ten with 20 minutes remaining on the clock.
Standing in sixth position as the session entered the final two minutes, Karl was up on the first sector and looked odds-on to post at least a front row time. However, Karl fell victim to the slippery new Donington Park surface, unceremoniously thrown from his Yamaha at the exit to McLean's. A final flurry of activity after the chequered flag saw the Rob Mac Racing Yamaha pushed back on to the third row in P10.
Race day action for the fourth round of the British Superbike Championship begins at 13.00, with the lights going out for Karl's second visit to the grid at 15.30. Fans will get the chance to meet all of their racing heroes, including Rob Mac Racing's Karl Harris, during the race day Pit Walk prior to the action at 11.15.
Karl Harris: "I don't really know what to say, the first crash just spun up on me and the second was totally unexpected. I was on a purple sector on the first lap and it felt great, I was nearly through the corner and it just spat me off. I'm not hurt and I'm as determined as ever to get some valuable points tomorrow.."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "Karl has come back as strong as ever, his physical and mental strength is unbelievable despite crashing in the wet qualifying. Karl is playing catch up and he is so keen to prove his rightful place in the Championship. Tomorrow is forecast to be wet, it will be a real lottery and a challenge for all the guys to put in a competitive race in such slippery conditions."
Qualifying Result:1. Byrne (Ducati)
2. J.Ellison (Honda)
3. Rutter (Ducati)
4. Crutchlow (Honda)
5. M.Laverty (Suzuki)
6. Smart (Kawasaki)
7. Haslam (Honda)
8. Camier (Ducati)
9. Mason (Honda)
10. Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha)Eurosport 2 Live TV Broadcast Window, 12.30 - 16.30 (Monday 26 May)
Images: Steve Eyton
