Editorial Note: Results for American riders competing at Brands Hatch:
P.J. Jacobsen was 10th out of 26 riders in British Superbike Practice Two. Jacobsen did a 1:38.465 on his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000.
Tommy Aquino unofficially qualified 24th out of 53 riders in 1000cc Superstock Qualifying Session One. Aquino did a 1:41.442 on his WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R, compared to the fastest time of 1:39.561, which was done by Victor Cox on his Kawasaki ZX-10R.
Jayson Uribe was 23rd out of 28 riders in Monster Energy British Motostar qualifying Saturday. Uribe did a lap of 1:58.676 on his Rock and Sons Racing Honda compared to the fastest time of 1:50.509, which was recorded by Tom Carne.
Michael Corbino was 28th out of 31 riders in Triumph Triple Challenge. Corbino did a 1:55.371, compared with the fastest time of 1:44.135, which was done by Freddy Pett. All competitors ride Triumph Daytona 675Rs in the Triumph Triple Challenge.
From a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:
Results Free practice one: 1:Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 1m:55.781s 2:Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +3.277s 3:Tommy Bridewell (Bathams Honda) +3.404s 4:Robbin Harms (Doodson Motorsport Honda) +3.736s 5:Howie Mainwaring (MH Kawasaki) +4.418s 6:Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +4.579s Free practice two: 1:Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 1m:36.547s 2:Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +0.053s 3:Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.078s 4:James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +1.160s 5:Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +1.281s 6:Tommy Bridewell (Bathams Honda) +1.338s Report Alex Lowes is determined to take the fight for the two victories in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park this Bank Holiday Monday to reigning champion Shane “Shakey” Byrne, kicking off the weekend by setting the pace in free practice for Samsung Honda. Lowes put in a lap of 1m 36.547s in dry conditions to be just 0.053 seconds clear of his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rival Byrne, who with three wins from four races currently heads the standings. “I’m quite happy so far as we’ve done a lot in the one session after rain cost us track time earlier but the bike is feeling good,” said Lowes. “We’ve got a lot of work still to do; Shakey has tested here and this is the first time I’ve ridden Oulton Park since last year so I’m feeling good and looking forward to the races. I hope to give him something to think about on Monday in the races.” Byrne had a confident performance in the afternoon session, putting in his fastest time on his final lap, and that was just enough to keep him ahead of Aussie Josh Brookes who had been the fastest in the wet morning session aboard his Tyco Suzuki. James Ellison, who had won in the opening round at Brands Hatch for Milwaukee Yamaha, was fourth fastest, while Jon Kirkham continued his recent run of form aboard the Buildbase BMW to set the fifth best time. Bathams Honda rider Tommy Bridewell, Peter Hickman on the Lloyds British GBmoto Honda, Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Chris Walker who took a victory in the corresponding round of last year, and MCE BSB rookie PJ Jacobsen completed the top ten. Michael Rutter, who will start his 400th MCE BSB race here in the first of the two races, struggled for pace on his Bathams Honda, ending 17th on the leaderboard. For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com
More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:
MILWAUKEE YAMAHA TARGET IMPROVEMENTS FOR OULTON PARK QUALIFYING The Milwaukee Yamaha team are gearing up for tomorrow’s qualifying session ahead of the third round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park and after James Ellison and Josh Waters decided to sit out the damp first session the pair ended fourth and fourteenth respectively. The team worked hard in the dry afternoon session to make up for the time lost in the morning, however both sides of the garage have some firm ideas on how they can improve ahead of tomorrow’s Datatag Extreme qualifying session and Bank Holiday Monday’s two races. Ellison said: “We still need to find some time before qualifying, but we have been going through some ideas in the garage this evening just with the steering as we are losing time out of the corners at the moment with edge grip. Once we have found that bit it will make a big difference; we did experience it a little at the test but we didn’t have the track time available to solve it. The gearing changes we had worked on though were a really good step and felt much better. There is time to make up tomorrow and then hopefully we can be in that top three ready for qualifying.” Waters said: “Today I was a bit off where we needed to be and it is a shame that we didn’t have two dry sessions as I could have done with that time but it was the same for everyone. We have a few changes that we have been making to the engine and I have felt more comfortable all the time so that is cool. We just need to keep working on it and improve tomorrow.” For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com
More, from a press release issued by Triumph Triple Challenge organizers:
It’s tight at the top as the Triumph Triple Challenge head to Oulton Park
It’s all to play for in the Triumph Triple Challenge (TTC) as the riders head north this weekend. Chrissy Rouse now leads the championship after Freddy Pett crashed at Thruxton. We can expect to see some tough battles out on track as everyone fights to prove they should be at the top.
Rouse will be looking to hold on to his lead but after a disastrous last round, Pett will be determined to get himself back into the running for first. Phil Atkinson has secured himself a solid second overall after a very tight battle with Rouse in the last lap of the previous round, but the points are still close so we can expect another exciting weekend of racing in the TTC.
The championship leader spoke about this weekend: “I’m looking forward to it, I like the track and I can’t wait to get out racing. I’m looking to consolidate my championship lead with another two podiums.”
Pett is looking to get back on top this weekend and told us: “Testing went well last week at Oulton, I’m just a bit worried about my ankle injury from Thruxton holding me back as it’s still hurting. The circuit owes me some good fortune though so I’m hoping to come away with two solid results and preferably the championship lead going into the summer break.”
Atkinson told us he’s still not completely recovered but looking to challenge: “My ribs are feeling better but I’m not 100%. I’ll definitely be able to challenge more up the front though.”
Daniel Fuller continued to make an appearance on the Cup class podium at Thruxton and will want to keep up his excellent run this weekend. He now has a strong lead of 70 points, 12 points ahead of his closest rival Charlie King.
Fuller commented: “I’m feeling good about this weekend; I’m well acquainted with the circuit and love its complexity. From Thruxton I’m really happy with how the bike is running, just need to start pushing now!”
Scott Pitcher, who claimed his first ever podium finish last round, will be fueled by previous success to try for a good result again. He is now fourth in the championship and only one point behind Sam Cox.
Triumph Triple Challenge will be racing at 10.30 and 17.05 on the bank holiday Monday (6th May 2013). For more information across the race weekend follow @TriumphTC on twitter or like us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TriumphTripleChallenge).