FIM Supersport World Championship Donington Park, England May 11, 2012 Qualifying Session One Results (all on Pirelli tires): 1. Sam LOWES, UK (Honda CBR600RR), 1:31.155 2. Kenan SOFUOGLU, Turkey (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:32.053 3. Jules CLUZEL, France (Honda CBR600RR), 1:32.281 4. Glen RICHARDS, Australia (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:32.397 5. Billy MCCONNELL, Australia (Triumph Daytona 675), 1:32.505 6. Ronan QUARMBY, South Africa (Honda CBR600RR), 1:32.724 7. Broc PARKES, Australia (Honda CBR600RR), 1:32.856 8. Sheridan MORAIS, South Africa (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:33.064 9. Imre TOTH, Hungary (Honda CBR600RR), 1:33.147 10. Vladimir LEONOV, Russia (Yamaha YZF-R6), 1:33.475 31. Josh DAY, USA (Kawasaki ZX-6R), 1:35.162 More, from a press release issued by Bogdanka PTR Honda: Lowes on provisional pole at home BOGDANKA PTR HONDA’s Sam Lowes took provisional pole position ahead of his home World Supersport round at Donington Park in the UK in a dominant fashion after topping both the morning practice as well as the afternoon’s first qualifying session. Lowes was in front by over a second this morning and eight tenths in the first qualifying while Mathew Scholtz on the other Bogdanka PTR Honda ended the opening day in 18th position, despite a small crash in the morning, after lapping inside the point scoring group during both sessions. Bogdanka Honda PTR’s stand-in rider for the injured Pawel Szkopek, Briton Kieran Clarke, finished the opening day in a solid 19th position ahead of tomorrow’s second qualifying and Sunday’s race. Sam Lowes: “It was a very good day. We’ve made good progress with the setup and I’ve actually set my fastest lap of the day on a hard tyre, which bodes well for the race. It’s mega to be that far in front but it’s only Friday. I know it will be a difficult race but I’ve got more to come so I’m feeling good for Sunday. We can still improve a couple of small things, especially in the second half of the lap, so I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I’m really enjoying riding at Donington Park and it’s really nice to have the support of the British fans.” Mathew Scholtz: “I had a small crash this morning and lost a lot of track time. We kept the same tyres for the entire session and weren’t focusing on a laptime but on finding the right setup. We’ve got a few things to try which we know will help us to go faster so I just hope for a dry day tomorrow to improve my qualifying position. As for the track, the first half of the lap here at Donington Park is very fast and a lot of fun but the second half isn’t really my favourite.” Kieran Clarke: “We’ve worked on many things today and it was an exciting day. I’ve made a couple mistakes but got to finish the session a bit better. Looking at the ideal time I know I can put together a good lap and we also have a good pace so things are looking good. I just hope to improve my position on the grid tomorrow. Ideally I’d like to be on the third row to stay with the top ten after the start, which should give us a good chance for a solid result. I have a lot of experience at Donington Park but haven’t raced here since 2006. Still, the track is really nice and it’s great to have the support of the home crowd.” Simon Buckmaster, Bogdanka PTR Honda Team Manager: “A very good first day for Sam, he is consistently fast and we still have some more small improvements to make. It is only day one but we are in good shape for second qualifying. Mathew had a small off this morning and a slight technical problem in the afternoon session. This has lost him some track time but he is once again riding well and we expect him to move up the grip tomorrow.” More, from a press release issued by PTR Honda: Front row for Jules at Donington PTR HONDA’S Jules Cluzel backed up his race win at Monza last weekend with an impressive third place on the provisional grid for Sunday’s fifth round of the World Supersport Championship at Donington Park in England. Ronan Quarmby put his PTR Honda sixth and is showing the same form that took him to the podium earlier in the season. Riders PTR Honda’s Martin Jessop is enjoying the home round with his best ever qualifying in 11th place with more to come. Sam Lowes on the sister Bogdanka PTR Honda is on pole position nearly a full second ahead of any other rider. Jules: “Things are not so bad. This morning we make some little improvements but we were fast and same in the afternoon – but still we are one-second behind pole. Sam is fast here and will be difficult to match in qualifying. I am improving a little bit and hope to compete over the race distance and make good points.” Ronan: “Practice went really well and we were fast from the word go. At all other tracks I have felt the need to follow but didn’t need that here. After finishing third in the morning I was full of confidence and did a race run in the afternoon qualifying and was as fast on a worn tyre as many other riders on fresh rubber. We made the wrong tyre decision at the end of the session and didn’t go any faster but we know that for tomorrow and I am confident I can challenge for the front row – today is already one of my best every qualifying sessions and I am happy.” Martin: “That was definitely better today. It is nice to come to a track and know which corner is coming up next. It’s been tough up to now not knowing the circuits and the class is competitive but here we know where we are going and it is showing. I am happy with today even though I got held up for four or five laps at the end and think I could have gone faster – there is loads of room for me to improve.” Simon Buckmaster, PTR Honda Team Manager: “It’s been a good day for PTR Honda with Jules showing great pace and that he is up for the podium fight on Sunday. Ronan is rejuvenated and will be eyeing the podium himself. Martin, at a track he knows well is showing good speed and should be challenging for the top 10 tomorrow and in the race. With Sam on pole we have four riders in the top 11 which is a fantastic team effort here at our home round and we will be looking to continue that form over the weekend and into the race.”