After a mixed-weather qualifying session, yet again the Airwaves Ducati number 67 tops the timing sheet at Snetterton this weekend. Shane Byrne set the fastest time of 1'05.1s, one thousandth of a second ahead of HM Plant Honda's Cal Crutchlow and team-mate Leon Camier rounding off the top three.
At the beginning of the session that started off as dry, pole position was swapped between Byrne and Crutchlow with Leon Haslam also putting in an appearance as Camier steadily climbed up the grid with each lap. Hydrex Honda's James Ellison continued to show that he aims to continue his successful return to the championship, but finished 10th overall, no doubt due to the interrupted session.
With 30 minutes to go Shakey took pole again, this time for good and just before the downpour. Riders returned to the pits and there was no more action until Leon Haslam ventured out onto track with only 13 minutes remaining. Haslam had to settle for fourth after losing out to Leon Camier followed by Rizla Suzuki Tom Sykes in fifth. Team- mate Atsushi Watanabe finished 12th overall, a successful result for the Japanese rider on a circuit he didn't know and had to learn extremely fast.
Stuart Easton had to settle for 15th after crashing out at the Bomb Hole 15 minutes into the session and was unable to return. The sole Tena for Men rider Tristan Palmer managed 13th after also crashing out early in the session at Riches. Guy Martin's disappointment continued as he qualified 20th after suffering a crash, fortunately uninjured.
Riders missing from the grid this weekend include his team mate Michael Howarth following a shoulder injury he obtained whilst working out and MV Augusta rider Chris Burns who is currently waiting for much needed parts for his machine.
Gary Mason of Quay Garage finished 16th, the top Cup rider only slightly ahead of North West 200 John Laverty and Tom Tunstall of Hardinge Ice Valley Motorsport.

1 Shane Byrne Airwaves Ducati 1'05.162
2 Cal Crutchlow HM Plant Honda 1'05.261
3 Leon Camier Airwaves Ducate 1'05.420
4 Leon Haslam HM Plant Honda 1'05.497
5 Tom Sykes Rizla Suzuki 1'05.540
6 Karl Harris Team Yamaha 1'05.905
7 Michael Rutter North West 200 Ducati 1'05.941
8 Michael Laverty Relentless Suzuki 1'06.007
9 Billy McConnell MSS Discovery Kawasaki 1'06.082
10 James Ellison Hydrex Bike Animal Honda 1'06.113