Sean Emmett will start from Pole for the debut Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup event at Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit tomorrow (April 6). The identical Metzeler-shod machinery promises to provide the platform for a tantalizing competition between an array of experienced riders, as the 2008 season unfolds.
Threatening weather conditions finally broke for the Qualifying session in which seasoned professional Sean Emmett dominated proceedings as the rain eased and the Weybridge rider set successive fastest laps with his best of 1m 37.986s on the final lap.
Road Racing debutant Sam Warren, mounted an impressive challenge, finally finishing in third behind Kirkham but ahead of the vastly experienced Gary Mason. 2007 Supersport rider Jack Kennedy rounded out the top five from Adrian Coates, Marty Nutt, Ben Wilson and Robert Kennedy. Shannon Etheridge, the youngest ever rider from the Australian Superbike Championship will line in up tenth for a wide-open contest over fourteen laps.
MCALEER GETS INTO TOP 20
Omagh birthday girl, newly turned 16 year old, Nicole McAleer was unable to improve on her 19th place in the first qualifying session at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the British 125 GP Championship when the rain lashed during the final qualifying session on Saturday afternoon.
The birthday girl set her fastest time in the morning session which was held in sunshine conditions when she set a time of 1.39.7 seconds. This time was good enough to also place her 8th in the ACU Academy Cup.
She improved greatly on her times from free practice on Friday where despite riding hard she was unable to get out of the 30th placings and seemed to be going backwards, but after a chat with her team boss Steve Patrickson she relaxed into the first qualifying session by singing to herself, Frankie goes to Hollywood’s “Relax”, which seemed to work for her, as she broke into the top 20.
HAYDON DESTINED FOR WORLD ENDURANCE
James Haydon has been left without a ride for 2008 as his place with Hawk Kawasaki team fell through a mere 10 days before the championship was due to start.
His frustration is visibly clear, he said: ‘They weren’t able to run me, with a sponsorship deal falling through. It is very disappointing, they just haven’t got the money.’ James hasn’t had the most settled career, but has enormous experience and is no doubt a talented racer. It’s just unfortunate for him and the public that he doesn’t have a permanent ride.
He said: ‘I am doing some work for Eurosport and racing in the World Endurance Championship for Phase One. I need to stay involved as much as possible and see what happens.’ His team mates will be Australian Damian Cudlin and French rider Stephane Duterne for the six round championship which starts on the 19th April at Le mans.
When not on track James will still be appearing at race tracks and extending his commentating talents, but has every intention to return to short circuit racing.
LAVERTY’S BATTLES CONTINUE
NW200 Ducati’s John Laverty continues his battle with organisers after further restrictions have been forced upon him. After the ongoing saga on whether he could compete with the Superstock series, it was decided he would run within the British Superbike Cup.
John has been the fastest through all the practice sessions, but today the competition has upped its game. He said: ‘I am very limited to what I can change on the bike, I have to run to superstock rules, I can’t change the suspension or anything. I am quick, but the other riders can change so much more on their bikes, which is allowing them to catch up.’
‘The other bikes also have electronics and mine doesn’t. I also have different sized wheels so the restricted choice of compound also effects me.’
‘They are worried with how much we would spend and what we would do to the bike, but that’s not the case. We haven’t got the amount of money to spend that they assume we have.’
