Kagayama Tops British Superbike Practice At Brands Hatch

Kagayama Tops British Superbike Practice At Brands Hatch

© 2004, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc.

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From a press release issued by Hawk Kawasaki:

BSB Championship, Round 7, Brands Hatch GP, Kent

Track length: 2.608 miles

Weather: dry, overcast, breezy 21°C

Track: 32°C

18 June 2004

FREE PRACTICE

McGUINNESS MAKES TOP 10 IN HAWK DEBUT

Hawk Kawasaki stand-in John McGuinness made a superb debut for the team at Brands Hatch today by posting ninth quickest time in free practice.

His time of 1:27.729 was a mere 1.1 seconds off provisional pole, despite today being the first time McGuinness has competed aboard the Hawk Kawasaki ZX-10R and 12 months since he last rode a superbike.

“I’ve really enjoyed working with the team today,” he said. “There’s been no pressure from anybody and my times are right in the ball park. The last time I rode a superbike was here last year on the short circuit, so to be ninth today is a great start. I’ve had a few wheelies out there because it’s so powerful ­- the bike’s a rocket ship! I think I need to boss the bike about a little and maybe play about a bit with the rear brake to keep the front wheel on the ground. We’ve done 40 laps today and it’s gone well.”

His Hawk team-mate, Scott Smart, found it hard to adjust to the fast GP circuit and ended the day an uncharacteristic 14th quickest, but he’s confident his times will tumble during qualifying.

“My performance is down to me more than anything else today,” explained Scott. “My back’s been great for most of the last two weeks and I’ve been training hard, but I spent most of the last few days hunched up in a seat sneezing my head off. I’ve taken some medication to cure my hay fever, so that’s better, but my back’s not feeling good today and, to be honest, I’ve ridden like a beginner today. It’s just not been flowing for me today. At the moment the bike isn’t filling me with confidence, but we’ll get that better tomorrow with a few changes we’ve got in mind. It’s only the first day of the meeting and I know I’ll find more speed tomorrow.”

Combined BSB Practice times

1) Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki, 1:26.825. 2) Sean Emmett, Ducati, 1:26.847. 3) Jon Kirkham, Suzuki (P), 1:27.037. 4) Dean Thomas, Ducati, 1:27.111. 5) Gary Mason, Yamaha, 1:27.115. 6) Michael Rutter, Honda, 1:27.272. 7) Tommy Hill Yamaha, 1:27.720. 8) Noriyuki Haga, Ducati, 1:27.777. 9) John McGuinness, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:27.729. 10) James Haydon, Yamaha, 1:27.879. 11) John Reynolds, Suzuki, 1:27.963. 12) Leon Haslam, Ducati, 1:28.153. 13) Kieran Clarke, Yamaha, 1:28.328. 14) Scott Smart, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:28.505. 15) James Ellison, Yamaha (P), 1:28.510


HICKMAN TAKES PROVISIONAL POLE IN SUPERSTOCK CUP

Hawk Kawasaki’s Peter Hickman took provisional pole during practice for the sixth round of the National Superstock Cup at Brands Hatch, Kent, today. The 17 year-old, who is the youngest rider in the series, was 0.8 of a second quicker than his nearest rival and lapped consistently in 1:33s and 1:34s through the 25 minute session.

“To take provisional pole is great,” said Peter. “I’m really pleased with that because I wasn’t trying too hard as it’s only the first day. We need to make a few changes to the front suspension though because it’s diving too much and taking the weight off the rear end into the turns. When we’ve done that I’m sure I can go even quicker.”

National Superstock Cup Practice times

1) Peter Hickman, Hawk Kawasaki, 1:33.021. 2) Simon Wright, Yamaha, 1:33.834. 3) Jamie Hitter, Suzuki, 1:34.339. 4) James Hurrell, Suzuki, 1:34.716. 5) Neil Faulkner, Yamaha, 1:35.040. 6) Rory Rock, Yamaha, 1:35.137. 7) Mark Turner, Kawasaki, 1:35.318. 8) Stan Watt, Suzuki, 1:35.571. 9) Graham Seward, Suzuki, 1:35.577. 10) Barry Teasdale, Suzuki, 1:35.898. 11) Phil Sanders, Suzuki, 1:35.957. 12) Stu Wilson, Suzuki, 1:36.057. 13) Alan Moreton, Yamaha, 1:36.168. 14) John Fisher, Suzuki, 1:36.313. 15) Ian Higson, Kawasaki, 1:36.564

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