From a press release issued by Monstermob Ducati:

MONSTERMOB DUCATI BRITISH SUPERBIKE TEAM

Round 3 – 2003 British Superbike Championship powered by HALLS, Thruxton

Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th March 2003

SECOND FOR BYRNE AND POLE FOR EASTON

After setting fastest time in timed qualifying, MonsterMob Ducati’s Shane Byrne posted second fastest time to place himself second on the grid for tomorrow’s round three of the 2003 British Superbike Championship at a cool and breezy Thruxton this afternoon.

The 26 year old from Minster, Kent had to give best to fellow Ducati rider Michael Rutter in the Dunlop Super 12 but despite not clinching pole position, Byrne was satisfied with his performance:

“Hats off to Michael but he is the exponent of the one fast lap and at the end of the day it’s what you do on race rubber that counts. After 25 laps we will see but I’m confident we have a good package for the race” said Byrne.

Team mate, Supersport rider Stuart Easton blew the competition away when he qualified in pole position aboard the Ducati 748 as he set about proving those wrong who had doubted his ability after the previous round where he retired with machine problems.

The 18 year old Scot qualified in pole in a time of 1:17.258 from nearest rival Honda rider Karl Harris (1:17.689) to steal the initiative for tomorrow’s 20 lap race:

“People doubted me after last week and I hope this silences them” said Easton. “I plan on ramming home that advantage in tomorrow’s race and get a grip on this series” he continued.

Team owner Paul Bird said: “There are no points for pole position and we’re confident we have the right set up to win tomorrow’s races ” said the Penrith businessman.

Superbike Dunlop Super 12 Qualification
1. Michael Rutter (Ducati) 1:14.771
2. Shane Byrne (MonsterMob Ducati) 1:15.133
3. Steve Hislop (Yamaha) 1:15.220
4. Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1:15.428
5. Gary Mason (Yamaha) 1:16.325
6. John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1:16.396
7. Mark Heckles (Honda) 1:16.528
8. Steve Plater (Honda) 1:16.769
9. Lee Jackson (Kawasaki) 1:16.774
10. Dean Ellison (Ducati) 1:16.788
11. Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1:16.888
12. Sean Emmett (Ducati) 1:17.063

Supersport Qualification
1. Stuart Easton (MonsterMob Ducati) 1:17.258
2. Karl Harris (Honda) 1:17.689
3. Tom Sykes (Yamaha) 1:18.105
4. Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 1:18.112
5. Adrian Coates (Honda) 1:18.319
6. Kieran Murphy (Kawasaki) 1:18.366
7. John Crockford (Honda) 1:18.370
8. Mark Burr (Yamaha) 1:18.499
9. Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1:18.578
10. Shane Norval (Yamaha) 1:18.894