Hawk Kawasaki’s Scott Smart will start from the second row tomorrow for the fourth round of the British Superbike Championship at Donington Park after a stellar ride to sixth place in qualifying.

The Maidstone rider demonstrated his racing talent as he battled through the extreme wet conditions that were dealt to the riders this afternoon. This was a positive result for the team after Thruxton which was in similar conditions where Smart started way down the grid in 28th.

He said: “The bike was the scariest I have ever ridden at Thruxton, but it's much better balanced today and worked better. We have changed pretty much everything, different springs, geometry and shocks. There is so much more feeling in the bike.”

When asked if he is pleased with today’s outcome, he said: “Yeah, but there is more to come. I need a little bit more of front feel coming out of the fast corners, that was what we didn't have at Thruxton and there every corner is fast, but it is much better.”

With the late delivery of his Kawasaki ZX-10R prior to the start of the season this meant he had no time for testing ready for the first round putting him at a major disadvantage compared the to other teams. He said: “We have been playing catch up and still are, but it is all coming together.'

Smart gave Hawk Kawasaki their first win back in 2004 at Mondello Park and won here in similar conditions in 2005, so will we see the receeding wonder (who most certainly was never in Bronski Beat, how very dare you…) take a well-deserved podium?