ROW TWO FOR MASON AT OULTON PARK
01 May 2005 - Stobart Honda

Stobart Honda rider Gary Mason stormed to his best qualifying position of the season when he set sixth fastest time during second qualifying for round four of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Oulton Park today.

The 25 year old from Lichfield set a time of 1m37.582s and as a result will start from row two of the grid for tomorrow’s two eighteen lap races.

“We made a big step forward last weekend and we’ve carried it on here. The bike is working well but we haven’t had much dry set up time because the whole of Friday was wet but the bike is good and my confidence is building. I hope I can take it forward into the race tomorrow” said Mason.

Team mate Michael Laverty also posted his best ever Superbike qualifying to end up in fifteenth place with a time of 1m38.702s and as a result the young Ulsterman will start from row four of the grid aboard the Vodka Kick and The Mob backed Stobart Honda Fireblade.

“I just couldn’t get a good lap on the qualifier. The last lap was my best lap but I still struggled to get past another rider. I’m quick enough on my race pace so I’ll just have to make a good start in the races” said Laverty.

Team owner Paul Bird was upbeat following his riders’ performances. “Both of them have been riding well all weekend and we’ve made some good strides forward. They’ve both got a great set up for the race tomorrow. Gary nearly gave us our first front row start but got knocked off in the dying seconds. It’s a good start and I’m chuffed with today’s qualifying and hope it bodes well for tomorrow.”

The third member of the Stobart Honda team, Jeremy McWilliams was absent from Oulton Park as he recuperates following an injury sustained in round two at Thruxton.

Superbike Qualifying

1, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m36.436s, 2, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 1m36.915s, 3, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1m37.184s, 4, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m37.408s, 5, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m37.525s, 6, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 1m37.582s, 7, James Haydon (Suzuki) 1m37.814s, 8, John Laverty (Honda) 1m37.967s, 9, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1m37.980s, 10, Scott Smart (Suzuki) 1m38.204s, 11, Kieran Clarke (Honda) 1m38.215s, 12, James Buckingham (Suzuki) 1m38.438s, 13, Sean Emmett (Yamaha) 1m38.487s, 14, Steve Plater (Kawasaki) 1m38.518s, 15, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 1m38.702s.

2005 BSB Race Dates

R1: 26–28 March, Brands Hatch, Kent (Indy) www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R2: 8–10 April, Thruxton, Hants www.barc.net

R3: 22–24 April, Mallory Park, Leics www.mallorypark.co.uk

R4: 30 April–2 May, Oulton Park, Cheshire www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R5: 13–15 May, Mondello Park, Co Kildare www.mondellopark.ie

R6: 3–5 June, Croft, N Yorks www.croftcircuit.co.uk

R7: 24–26 June, Knockhill, Fife www.knockhill.co.uk

R8: 8–10 July, Snetterton, Norfolk www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R9: 19-21 August, Silverstone, Northants www.silverstone-circuit.co.uk

R10: 27-29 August, Cadwell Park, Lincs www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R11: 9–11 September, Oulton Park, Cheshire www.motorsportvision.co.uk

R12: 23–25 September, Donington Park, Leics www.donington-park.co.uk

R13: 7–9 October, Brands Hatch, Kent (GP) www.motorsportvision.co.uk

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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