Rizla Suzuki’s Atsushi Watanabe slashed 3.3secs off his lap time during today’s practice sessions for the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park in Cheshire, finishing ninth quickest while Tom Sykes was a comfortable sixth.
A dry morning session was followed by a damp start to the afternoon practice with the riders waiting in the garage for the picturesque 2.69-mile track to fully dry out. Double Japanese Superbike Champion Atsu was fast and precise in the tricky conditions while Yorkshire ace Tom saved his best to last as he worked through developments to his GSX-R1000.
The single 50-minute qualifying session is at 1400-1450 on Saturday 19th July, with race one at 1315 on Sunday 20th July and race two at 1630. British Eurosport will broadcast live at 1300 - 1430 and 1530 – 1715.
Atsu: “I fly back from Japan on Wednesday and drive car straight to Oulton Park. In morning the track little damp and then dry and I remember how exciting a circuit this is. Apart from maybe needing little more sleep I feel OK and in afternoon after speaking with Team Manager Jack-san, I pull pin of grenade and go much faster and this is good.
“My Rizla Suzuki is feeling better. In morning my rear is problem but good technicians fix and much stiffer and better in the afternoon. I try both my bikes and we improve handling and agility through the day. I ask for better brake stability feeling into some corners and know the team will provide me the answer. I am happy to be ninth and will be happier when even higher up.”
Tom:
“It is the first day of practice so we worked our way up to speed. I tried a few tyres and we have a good option that I posted my fastest lap on right at the end after it had completed a full race distance – and while being held up by a slower rider. It was a little frustrating as I could have been a fair bit faster.”
Practice Times1: Karl Harris (Yamaha) 1:36.716
2: Cal Crutchlow (Honda) +0.174
3: Shane Byrne (Ducati) +0.426
4: Leon Haslam (Honda) +0.516
5: Leon Camier (Ducati) +0.552
6: TOM SYKES (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.5987: James Ellison (Honda) +1.214
8: Michael Rutter (Ducati) _+1.624
9: ATSUSHI WATANABE (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1.73610: Simon Andrews (Yamaha) +1.748.
