Sam Warren took a sensational debut pole position ahead of the fifth round of the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup at Snetterton in Norfolk yesterday.
An initially wet track deemed all the competitors to use a full wet Metzeler tyre choice for the 25 minute session. As the track quickly began to dry the name at the top of the time sheet changed place numerous times, swapped between no fewer than seven riders.
Championship leader Jon Kirkham, dominant over the past few rounds, left his charge for pole until late on, as Mason, Nutt, Emmett and Cooper made their marks at the head of the field. However, Kirkham's luck ran out as he made a final charge after the flag, crashing out at the fast right hand Coram corner.
Sean Emmett looked odds-on to claim his second pole of the season, deposing Marty Nutt with just over a minute remaining on the clock. However, Sam Warren had other ideas.
Warren had entered the pits in fifth place with only three minutes to go only to be promptly sent back out by his mentor and manager, ex BSB rider, Dean Thomas. It looked like his back tyre was well past it's best but the ex-Supermoto champion put his head down to post a blisteringly fast lap and steal pole as one of the final riders to take the chequered flag leaving no time for retort.
Although winning the Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup race at Oulton Park, Warren had yet to earn a pole position in his very short road racing career that only started at the beginning of the year.
The 14-lap race is scheduled to start at 17.15 and will be televised live on British Eurosport, directly after the second British Superbike race.
Sam Warren: "Wow, I thought I was fifth. When I went back out in the final minutes my back tyre was shot. To find out I took pole is amazing. I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow and want to be back on the top step of the podium."
Sean Emmett: "That was good. I just got pipped in the final seconds by Sam. I'm confident for tomorrow, I absolutely love it round here. I've not seen the final forecast but would love it to be dry and sunny."
Rob McElnea, Team Principal: "That was another thrilling session from the guys out there. To see the top spot changes places so frequently just shows how close this series is Sam has put in another inspiring performance. I wouldn't like to be putting any bets on the race tomorrow, it's wide open."
