Yakhnich Yamaha’s Sam Lowes is confident that he can out pace MAHI Racing’s Kenan Sofuoglu when it comes to World Supersport qualifying tomorrow, as he will be using a new engine and changing the suspension setup.

Lowes set the second quickest time in both practice sessions today at Silverstone, but he was a tenth of a second slower than rival Sofuoglu, who bagged the all important provisional pole position start.

The Lincolnshire lad is happy that he set some consistently fast times and with the improvements that are being made to his bike, but he is adamant that he can make an impact and battle for pole tomorrow.

“I feel really good, we were second today but we have got a lot of things we can do. We did not have the best engine, but we get a new one tomorrow which will be a big step and we have got good steps to make with the suspension. The team is working hard and the bike is 80 percent there. I was second, it is not the end of the world but the Kawasaki will suit this track a lot, and the battle will be better tomorrow with Kenan. I was more consistent than him today and I think the race will be between me and him, and some others, and I am excited," said Lowes, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the circuit. 

Even at his home track, the youngster is not feeling the pressure and after finishing second at Silverstone last year he wants to do one better and take the victory on Sunday.

“There is a little bit of pressure because I want to do a good job, and I finished second here last year and it would mean quite a lot to win here as I won at Donington too. I have been fast all year and I am ready to fight this weekend, and I think we will make a better start tomorrow.

“I expect to win every race and you need to be positive and my wrist is getting better, so hopefully the weather is kind to us and I am happy.”