Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari still hasn’t got rid of his demons when it comes to racing at Thruxton. The last two times he has raced here things didn’t go to well for the Japanese rider, and yesterday he was unable to make it out of Q2 during the qualifying sessions. 

It is the first time that Kiyo has taken to the Hampshire track on board a BMW so he is still learning how to ride the bike, and is still after some much needed track time. He will start race one from the fourth row, sandwiched in-between his substitute team-mate Lee Jackson and Halsall Racing’s Jon Kirkham.

The front row is where Kiyo wants to be, but he is adamant that there is nothing wrong with his bike, and it is just lack of experience with his BMW at this circuit which is the biggest issue.

“I am very disappointed because I made a little bit of a slow start on Friday, but in the end I showed that I had the race pace, but it didn’t come off in qualifying,” said Kiyo, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.

“My bike is good, I just need more track time, as this is the first time for me at this circuit on the BMW. The bike is very good, and this track during the last two times have not been good for me, and this circuit is very grippy.

“But now I feel I am getting better, and I am feeling more confident – but the mixed weather conditions yesterday did not help that much, but I can’t complain as we are all in the same position.”