Both Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow are on the front row of the grid for tomorrow’s two Bennetts British Superbike races. Podium positions are the aim for both riders in the 21-lap races. Meanwhile Steve Brogan broke the lap record en-route to pole position in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 class – just as he said he would do before the weekend. In the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport class Steve will start tomorrow’s 18-lap race from 6th position on the grid.
Leon Haslam – HM Plant Honda British Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade4th position – 1m 05.497s
“It’s always nice to be quickest but the front-row will do me for tomorrow. Shakey just picked the perfect time to put that quick one in as it rained just after and we couldn’t top it. We’re improving the bike all the time and tomorrow’s aim is for a pair of solid podium performances. Obviously if there’s a chance, we’ll go for the win. I’m hoping that the weather is good tomorrow as luck comes into the results a bit more if it's wet and we’ll also put a much better show on for the fans if it is dry.”
Cal Crutchlow – HM Plant HondaBritish Superbike – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade2nd position – 1m 05.261s
“Bit of a shame for us that Shakey sneaked a quick lap in before the rain came, but I’m pretty pleased with second. We were sandbagging most of the weekend in fourth and fifth position so we knew we could be up there. Tomorrow’s races are going to be tough to win – they always are – but I’m aiming for podiums minimum. I’m still pretty sore from yesterday’s crash. My hip is a little angry and I have some whiplash but I’m hoping to be raring to go for tomorrow’s races.”
Steve Brogan – Honda (UK) RacingBritish Supersport – Honda CBR600RR6th position – 1m 08.184s
British Superstock – Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade1st position – 1m 07.454s
“I worked hard with the guys on set-up on the Superstock bike and that enabled me to do the lap times that I’ve done. I’m consistently lapping quicker than the other guys, so I’m hoping to make a break and avoid any carnage and run my own race. I’m just pleased to be the only Honda Fireblade out there and we’re on top! It shows how good the bike is and it’s a massive improvement over the old model. In Supersport I feel like I’m on the limit and I think the time I’ve got is the best I could do. I need to get a good start and then if I can hang in there with the lead group I’ll try and put some moves on them. I was almost running up the back of them into some corners and then they would pull away in some of the slow corners, so we’ll see tomorrow.”
Havier Beltran – HM Plant Honda team manager“We were a little unlucky in the Superbike session as with 25 minutes to go Shakey put a quick lap in and then it rained. That’s the way it goes sometimes but we’re still on the front row and that’s where we want to be. We now need to make sure we can put two, 21-lap races together and try and come out on top. We’re hoping the weather is OK, as we’re strong in the dry. In the wet it will be a lottery for everyone. Steve has done the business in Superstock on the Fireblade today. It’s the only Honda out there and it’s on pole and taken the lap record. Is there a better advert for the bike than that? In Supersport Steve’s been working hard with the bike and sixth is pretty good. Remember, Steve’s not ridden here on a 600 since 1999 and he’s made changes to the HM Plant CBR600RR and made some big improvements so we’re hopeful for a good result from tomorrow’s race.”
