RUTTER RETAINS EXEMPLARY RECORD
17 July 2004 - Honda Racing

HM Plant Honda Racing’s Michael Rutter retained his record as the only rider who has qualified on the front row in every round of the 2004 British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park today.

The Kirkby Mallory-based rider powered his CBR1000RR Fireblade into fourth place at his home circuit, followed closely by team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari in fifth position.

Despite crashing on the entry to Edwina’s – the new chicane added to the circuit last year – Rutter improved on the times he had set in the morning session to move up the grid from a provisional seventh place. The 31-year-old HM Plant Honda Racing star was up to second place before his accident, which caused the session to be stopped with 20 minutes remaining.

With just ten minutes left to go, Rutter returned to the track but dropped to fourth place despite recording a time of 51.581 seconds after championship rival John Reynolds put in a lap that was just a fraction of a second faster.

Ryuichi Kiyonari was the first rider back on the track when qualifying resumed after his team-mate’s crash and he quickly set about increasing his pace. The 21-year-old Japanese rider had dropped to 12th, but within a couple of laps he had put his HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade into fifth position with a best lap of 51.669 seconds.

Kiyonari retained that place – his best qualifying position since round three at Snetterton – until the end of the qualifying. He will head up the second row for tomorrow’s two 30-lap races at the 1.39-mile Leicestershire circuit.

Michael Rutter: “I’m pleased to be on the front row with so little time between the top riders. The crash was my fault – I lost the front end without warning on the way into the corner. I was just trying too hard. You have to push it here at Mallory because a split second makes such a difference. It’s going to be close tomorrow but I’m determined to do well on my home track and with the championship in mind.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I’m much happier with my performance here at Mallory Park so far. Since Knockhill, I’ve been testing at Suzuka and my confidence has grown as a result. The set-up on my HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade is good and I’m getting a good feeling from the Michelin tyres. This has made all the difference to me and I’m determined to help Michael tomorrow as he aims to challenge for the championship lead.”

Qualifying times: 1. S. Smart (Kawasaki) 51.283; 2. T. Hill (Yamaha) 51.510; 3. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) 51.559; 4. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) 51.581; 5. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) 51.669; 6. J. Haydon (Yamaha) 51.753; 7. D. Thomas (Yamaha) 51.776; 8. J. McGuinness (Kawasaki) 51.795; 9. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) 51.921; 10. D. Hobbs (Suzuki) 51.975

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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