There was a delay to the Datatag Extreme Qualifying session at Knockhill following an oil spill during the opening KTM race of the day. However, despite a British Sidecar race in between the start of the qualifying session the residual effects from that spillage were deemed unsafe for the riders of Superbike machines.
Further track cleansing took place at the key areas of the track identified by the riders – with a number of them having exploratory laps before the start of the session.
Shane Byrne said: “Yeah it’s not 100% and it’s not just a one point it’s at key areas around the track. Don’t get me wrong I want to go out there and qualify on P1 for tomorrow’s racing; but we have to make sure it’s 100%.”
Brookes conversely was happy to go: “Yeah the conditions are not 100%, but you wouldn’t go chasing the same lap times if it were raining – you’d ride to the conditions and that’s what I think we should do.”
Ultimately, after additional clear up the Datatag Extreme Qualification got underway following over an hours delay and an impromptu pit lane walkabout for the BSB fans who were here today.
Shane Byrne topped an additional 10 minute session so the riders could further assess the track with a time of 48.845secs; followed by Ellison, Dixon and Mackenzie. But when the real action got underway, for a thirty minute Datatag ID qualifying session the 5-time champion sat steadfast in his seat and left the other BSB riders to lay down rubber on the track, before he even considered turning a wheel. It looked a great strategy, as 5 laps into his session he was already up to speed, inside the top five with a 48.611 second lap; behind the fastest man of the weekend so far Luke Mossey.
The McAMS Yamaha team had an eventful session with both James Ellison and Michael Laverty having minor offs. However, both were allowed to re-mount their bikes and head back to the pits for technical inspection before resuming the action. Just as well for Ellison, as he powered his Yamaha to a 3rd place grid slot with six minutes to go, and that’s were he will line up for tomorrow’s opening race.
Mossey was the dominant man though, further improving his fastest session time to 48.297s – not quite as fast as the time he set in FP3, however still good enough for P1 on the gird. Next to show their hand during a frantic conclusion to the session was Jake Dixon. The RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki rider positioned himself on the front row of the grid with a good lap, putting himself into the P2 position; however, he’ll be sitting later this evening pondering what might have been. On his next lap, Dixon immediately went green through sector one, then purple through sector two and as we waited with bated breath to see his time through the hairpin, he unfortunately folded the front and subsequently lost his chance of Pole – which that lap would have genuinely challenged.
There were further improvements for towards the end of the session for Brookes, Guintoli and O’Halloran; but no-one could match Mossey’s time.
A delighted Ellison exclaimed: “I have to apologise to the marshal, I was screaming at him that I could remount. Thankfully, it all got sorted and I could head back to the pits before resuming the session. I knew I there was a time out there and I was pushing, so was Jake and even Shakey had a few moments out there too; it’s going to be some cracking races tomorrow, that’s for sure.
Lining up on the front row for tomorrow’s Race1 Dixon reflected: “The pace was quick out there, especially considering what had gone on before the session started. I’m so happy, the guys and the team worked all night to get the bike ready for today after that crash yesterday. A massive thanks to them.”
Pole man for tomorrow’s opening race Luke Mossey said: “I’m over the moon with that. It was unfortunate with what happened to Leon and that one was for the team. I think we could have pushed to that 47 second bracket if the conditions had been absolutely perfect. But, happy to put my JG Speedfit Kawasaki on pole for tomorrow, I’d have been disappointed if we hadn’t.
Race one for the MCE British Superbike Championship sets off at 13.30pm tomorrow, giving you plenty of time to make it to the track for what will be an enthralling encounter. An incredible 16 riders posted 48 second laps and below in qualifying, and better weather forecast for tomorrow, we should see ideal conditions for some super-fast racing from the UK’s premier motorcycle racers.
Tickets for tomorrow’s raceday can be booked online via the Knockhill website until midnight tonight (collected at the track tomorrow). Alternatively, they’ll be available on the gate throughout the day – remember though, pre-booking saves money.
For full reaction from that compelling Datatag ID Qualifying session check out the British Superbike Championship website.
