From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

FRONT ROW START FOR EMMETT AT DONINGTON PARK

MonsterMob Ducati Superbike rider Sean Emmett will start the final round of the Think! British Superbike Championship from second place on the grid after this afternoon’s action packed second qualifying session at DoningtonPark.

The 34 year old Londoner set a time of 1:32.810 to start from his second consecutive front row as he looks to end the season on a high in the final two races.

“I just got balked on my final qualifying time. But second place is good and it’s nice to finish the year on the front row. I’m pretty pleased with that. I’m looking forward to good weather tomorrow and some cracking races. I’m really up for it” said Emmett.

Meanwhile Supersport rider Michael Laverty qualified in sixth position on the 749 Ducati and will start from row two of the grid in tomorrow’s race, having held a front row position for much of the session.

“I was robbed of a front row start due to the weather. I just missed the dry track time but I’m happy enough as we’ve got a good race set up and I’m hoping for a good result tomorrow” said Laverty.

Team owner Paul Bird said the following:

“A front row start is fantastic. We’ve got a good set up and will be in the battle for the rostrum places tomorrow. Michael missed his last lap qualifier by just two seconds, but he’s on the second row and he’s won from there before.”

Superbike Qualifying

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m31.952s, 2, Sean Emmett (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m32.810s, 3, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m32.819s, 4, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m32.903s, 5, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m32.938s, 6, John McGuinness (Kawasaki) 1m33.650s, 7, Dean Thomas (Ducati) 1m33.654s, 8, Yukio Kagayama (Suzuki) 1m33.709s, 9, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1m33.925s, 10, Steve Plater (Yamaha) 1m33.979s.


Supersport Qualifying

1, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 1m35.559s, 2, Craig Jones (Triumph) 1m35.801s, 3, Pere Riba (Kawasaki) 1m35.963s, 4, Jay Vincent (Honda) 1m36.177s, 5, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m36.219s, 6, Michael Laverty (MonsterMob Ducati) 1m36.408s, 7, Cal
Crutchlow (Honda) 1m36.437s, 8, Adrian Coates (Suzuki) 1m36.515s, 9, Paul Young (Honda) 1m36.576s, 10, Matt Llewellyn (Ducati) 1m36.614s.


More, from a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

RICHARDS ON FRONT ROW AT FINAL BSB ROUND

Hawk Kawasaki’s Glen Richards will start the final two races of the 2004 THINK! British Superbike Championship from the front row of the grid. The popular Aussie qualified in fourth place today around the 2.5 mile Donington GP circuit – his first front row start of the year.

“I did the time on the first of three qualifiers,” he explained. “I was bit cautious on the second tyre and on the third I was forced to slow when they showed a yellow flag. It’s really good to be on the front row of the grid again. I can’t wait until tomorrow – anything’s possible and I’ll really be aiming to end the season off with a podium, that’s for sure.”

John McGuinness showed his class once again by bagging sixth place. The Cumbrian ignored the pain of the injuries he sustained at Oulton Park a week ago to lap the track in 1:33.650.

“I was aiming for a spot on the front two rows and that’s what I’ve done – and there are some pretty quick guys behind me,” said McGuinness. “It’s the last round of the year and it’s important to do well.”

Scott Smart had to be content with an uncharacteristically low ninth place after a misfire ruined his potentially best lap.

“The bike was misfiring and it turned out to be the quick-shifter shorting out so we disconnected it, but by then it was too late,” said a dejected Smart. “It wouldn’t have been so bad being on the second row, but I was knocked off there in the last minute. I’ll just have to get the best start I can and see what I can do.”

Hawk Kawasaki Team Principal Stuart Hicken commented: “I’m really pleased with that because this is the first time out for the new bike around the Donington GP circuit. To have three guys up there in the top nine is superb. Hopefully it’ll stay dry tomorrow and we’ll have some good racing.”

Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki’s National Superstock Cup runner, took fourth place in the first of the weekend’s two deciding Cup races. The 17 year-old, who started from pole position, battled hard during the 12 lap race, eventually getting the better of John Fisher and Dan Stewart.

“I got duffed-up a bit on the first lap and found myself back down in sixth place,” explained Hickman. “Then as I worked my way back to the leaders I was able to stay with them through the corners, but then they’d blast away down the straights. For sure I need to get an early lead in tomorrow’s race and beat Simon Wright to secure the championship.”

BSB COMBINED QUALIFYING

1) Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda, 1:31.952. 2) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:32.810. 3) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:32.819. 4) Glen Richards, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:32.903. 5) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:32.938. 6) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:33.650. 7) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:33.654. 8) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:33.709. 9) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:33.925. 10) Steve Plater, Yamaha, 1:33.979. 11) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:34.149. 12) James Haydon, Yamaha, 1:34.156. 13) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 1:34.184. 14) Tommy Hill, Yamaha, 1:34.626. 15) Paul Brown, Ducati, 1:34.634

(P) = Privateer

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP RACE

1) Paul Shoesmith, Yamaha. 2) Simon Wright, Yamaha. 3) James McBride, Suzuki. 4) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki. 5) Dan Stewart, Suzuki. 6) Alan Moreton, Yamaha. 7) Mike Walker, Suzuki. 8) Rory Rock, Yamaha. 9) James Hurrell, Suzuki. 10) Simon Pomeroy, Suzuki

Fastest lap: Paul Shoesmith, Yamaha, 1:37.782, 92.04mph

NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK CUP AFTER 12 ROUNDS

1) Simon Wright, Yamaha, 147. 2) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 145. 3) Paul Shoesmith, Yamaha, 134. 4) James McBride, Suzuki, 104. 5) John Fisher, Suzuki, 103. 6) Dan Stewart, Suzuki. 7) Graham Seward, Suzuki, 84. 7=) Rory Rock, Yamaha, 84. 9) Alan Moreton, Yamaha, 63. 10) Simon Pomeroy, Suzuki, 62


More, from a press release issued by Team Suzuki:

REYNOLDS HAPPY ON SECOND ROW
Team Suzuki Press Office – September 18, 2004.

Rizla Suzuki’s John Reynolds will start from fifth and Yukio Kagayama eighth, book-ending the second row of the grid at tomorrow’s 13th and final round of the Think! British Superbike Championship at Donington Park.

Championship leader Reynolds spent most of the day testing his race set-up before dashing out in the dying minutes on a qualifying tyre to challenge for pole. He was confounded by traffic and didn’t get a single clear crack at an outright lap time and will start from the front of the second row in tomorrow’s two races – a strong position for going into the tight first corner at Redgate, directly behind Ryuichi Kiyonari on pole position.

Kagayama will start his Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 from eighth and the end of the second row after a frustrating session that saw the Japanese ace fail to even get on track with a qualifying tyre to set his mark. Yukio made two mistakes and fell off twice at Coppice corner in the session but is unhurt and more determined than ever to do well in the races.

Reynolds is leading the Championship by 43 points with just 50-points left to score. Kagayama is third in the overall standings and aims to keep that position tomorrow, with an 18-point lead over his nearest rival.

John Reynolds:

“Fifth and the front of the second row is better than fourth around here; it gives me the fast line into Redgate and the chance to make up a position or two right from the off.

“Every time I went for a fast lap, I hit traffic and then tried to compensate by pushing too hard and ended up missing my apexes. The silver lining to this weekend, apart from my Arai helmet which is painted in silver to commemorate Rizla’s new regular-sized silver paper, is the fact I spent so much time working on set-up and we have a very competitive motorcycle over race distance. I’m still not thinking about the Championship.”

Yukio Kagayama:

“I made two small mistakes at the same place on circuit and two times in session I fell off. Maybe I got a gust of wind from the side of track? I didn’t get chance to even try a qualifying tyre.

“This is no problem though. I must focus on good start and maximum attack all race long to be at front. I have won many races in BSB from eighth place on grid, so this I hope is bit of lucky start for me.”

Final Qualifying Positions: 1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1:31.952, 2: Sean Emmett (Ducati) +0.858, 3: Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.867, 4: Glen Richards (Kawasaki) +0.951, 5: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.986, 6: John McGuinness (Kawasaki) +1.698, 7: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +1.702, 8: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +1.757, 9: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +1.973, 10: Steve Plater (Yamaha) +2.027.


More, from a press release issued by MSS Discovery Kawasaki:

MSS DISCOVERY’S RIBA PUTS ZX-6RR ON FRONT ROW AS DA COSTA FINISHES RUNNER-UP

MSS Discovery Kawasaki rider Pere Riba earned a seventh front row start of the year as he qualified third fastest for the 13th and final round of the British Supersport championship at Donington Park, Leics on Saturday.

Spaniard Riba completed an impressive qualifying display – in his first year in the series – but was disappointed not to have taken his first pole position of the year and head the grid for Sunday’s 18-lap race.

“In the final qualifying session I immediately improved on my first qualifying session time and that was on a race tyre,” explained Riba. “I was
ready to go and take pole position with a softer compound rear tyre before spots of rain appeared and everyone was forced to slow.”

Riba added: “At least we were in a position where I could go and have a really good shot at pole position. We have the ZX-6RR set up well for Donington Park and now I’ve missed out on my first pole position I’ll be going for my first race win of the year tomorrow.”

Julian da Costa returned from taking third place in last week’s Bol d’Or 24-hour race to secure second place in the 12th round on the National
Superstock Championship aboard his ZX-10R.

After qualifying in 11th, da Costa was quickly into a podium position, setting a new lap record on lap five as he moved into third place. He
briefly took the lead before concluding the 16-lap race in a titanic battle with eventual winner Andy Tinsley.

“I really thought the win was possible today,” said Da Costa after his first race at Donington Park. “When I took the lead Tinsley hit back immediately and I realised I was involved in his private chase for the championship title.

“Second place is OK and we get another chance of taking a victory with tomorrow’s race. We also learned a little bit more about the ZX-10R around here and I’m sure we can improve the machine even more and try and win tomorrow.”

Da Costa’s team-mate Steve Allan finished 13th, improving on his 15th place grid position and the Scotsman was pleased to get to the finish line and report back to the MSS Discovery squad.

“We knew today’s race would be a struggle but the ZX-10R just keeps improving and improving and we know exactly what to change for tomorrow’s race and hopefully I can get a much higher finish,” said Allan.

British Supersport Championship final qualifying times:

1 Tom Sykes, Suzuki, 1m 35.559s
2 Craig Jones, Triumph, 1m 35.801s
3 Pere Riba, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 1m 35.963s
4 Jay Vincent, Honda, 1m 36.177s
5 Karl Harris, Honda, 1m 36.219s
6 Michael Laverty, Ducati, 1m 36.408s
7 Cal Crutchlow, Honda, 1m 36.437s
8 Adrian Coates, Suzuki, 1m 36.515s
9 Paul Young, Honda, 1m 36.576s
10 Matt Llewellyn, Ducati, 1m 36.614s


National Superstock Championship race result (16 laps ­ 40.00 miles):

1 Andy Tinsley, Suzuki, 25m 54.182s ­ 92.58mph
2 Julien da Costa, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 25m 56.164
3 Danny Beaumont, Yamaha, 25m 59.402s
4 Ben Wilson, Suzuki, 26m 08.155s
5 David Johnson, Suzuki, 26m 08.396s
6 Les Shand, Yamaha, 26m 08.891s
7 Tristan Palmer, Suzuki, 26m 09.367s
8 Lee Jackson, Yamaha, 26m 13.442s
9 Aaron Zanotti, Suzuki, 26m 15.775s
10 Howie Mainwaring, Yamaha, 26m 17.672s
13 Steve Allan, MSS Discovery Kawasaki, 26m 29.491s

Championship points after 12 of 13 rounds: 1 Beaumont 189, 2 Tinsley 187, 3 Wilson 172, 4 Palmer 166, 5 Shand 110, 6 Allan 80, 7 Da Costa 70, 8 Marshall Neill (Suzuki) 63, 9 Mainwaring 60, 10 John Laverty (Yamaha) 54.

Final round: Donington Park, Leics ­ September 19.