FIRST EVER 1-2 START FOR RIZLA SUZUKI IN EIGHT LAP QUALIFYING DASH
03 July 2004 - Rizla-Suzuki

RIZLA SUZUKI riders John Reynolds and Yukio Kagayama made the most of a dry eight-laps at Knockhill to record the team''s best ever qualification positions in first and second places for tomorrow''s eighth round of the British Superbike Championship.

At the start of the first Superbike qualifying session, the 1.2986-mile circuit was dry but heavy black clouds were looming, so both Rizla Suzuki racers went out with soft compound Dunlop tyres and best guess set-ups on their 207bhp GSX-R1000 race bikes. The rain stayed away for only nine-minutes and when it started to fall, removing any chance of going any faster, Championship leader JR found himself on provisional pole position and Yuki in second place only a fraction behind. When the second 50-minute qualification session was cancelled due to rain and hailstones lashing the Highland circuit, the starting positions were confirmed, marking another landmark achievement for the Rizla Suzuki team.

Joining the team this weekend is Scotland''s triple British Superbike Champion Niall Mackenzie, a favourite with fans as well as being the Rizla Suzuki team test rider. He also runs the Rizla Suzuki Search for a Scottish Star promotion at Knockhill to find the best and brightest upcoming racers north of the border. He will be joined by Scottish rally heroes Colin and Alistair McRae on Sunday to cheer on Rizla Suzuki.

Superbike racing starts at 1:15pm on Sunday July 4th at Knockhill in Scotland and will be shown live on Sky Sports. A highlights programme will be shown on BBC Grandstand one week later.

John Reynolds:
''I don''t like having to go for it right at the start of a session, I normally ease myself into it and get a feel for the bike and conditions. But today it was clear the rain was going to start and we had only minutes to record a qualifying time - so I went for it! My Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 was handling very well and we managed to get pole position, which is testimony to my technicians and their fantastic preparations.

''We have done very few laps during practice and qualification because of the rain but we have enough information to set up my Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 for either wet or dry conditions; we have a package capable of running at the front tomorrow whatever the weather.''

Yukio Kagayama:
''Going out with only minutes to make a good qualifying lap is very exciting, there is much action on track as all riders know rain is coming. My bike was good and I am very happy to be in second on grid behind John-san.

''I have made some adjustments to my bike in case of a dry race tomorrow and think I will have very good chance to go for wins. In wet also, my Rizla Suzuki is easy to ride quickly and I am confident. I find weather in Scotland unbelievable and wet, it makes me laugh.''

Qualification: 1: JOHN REYNOLDS (RIZLA SUZUKI) 50.740, 2: YUKIO KAGAYAMA (RIZLA SUZUKI) +0.192, 3: Michael Rutter (Honda) +0.252, 4: James Haydon (Yamaha) +0.384, 5: Scott Smart (Kawasaki) +0.508, 6: Sean Emmett (Ducati) +0.522, 7: Gary Mason (Yamaha) +0.804, 8: John McGuinness (Kawasaki) +1.013, 9: Dean Thomas (Ducati) +1.030, 10: Dennis Hobbs (Suzuki) +1.067.

www.rizla-suzuki.co.uk

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