FRONT ROW START FOR LAVERTY AT SNETTERTON
09 July 2005 - Paul Bird Motorsport

Stobart Honda rider Michael Laverty continued his meteoric rise by posting a career best fourth place in qualifying for round eight of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Snetterton in Norfolk today.

The 23 year old Ulsterman held his own in the final throes of the session and will start tomorrow’s two races from the front row of the grid.

The latest performance is on the back of a couple of fourth place finishes in recent rounds highlighted by a debut rostrum last time out at Knockhill and Laverty is looking for repeat success here this weekend.

“I’m chuffed with that. I was twelfth in the first qualifying and I was hoping for a second row start, so the front row is more than I was expecting. The boys are working brilliantly with the bike and its just getting better and better. I’m hoping for a second place tomorrow but I just want to take it one step at a time and not try to run before I can walk. I know I can stay with Rutter tomorrow and I hope I can put it on the podium again” said Laverty.

Team mate Gary Mason qualified in twelfth position which represented his best performance in three rounds and the VK, Vent Axia and The Mob backed rider is hopeful of improving on his twelfth place grid position in tomorrow’s pair of races.

“I’m disappointed. I wanted to be at least on the front or second row as I know we have got the pace for that. I got caught up with some back markers but sadly that’s the way it goes. The bike feels brilliant so I just need to get a good start and enjoy the kamikaze race tomorrow” said Mason.

Team boss Paul Bird was delighted with his protégé’s performance who gave the Stobart team their first front row start of the season.

“That’s our first front row of the year, it’s excellent. We keep making more improvements every meeting and I hope we can keep the momentum going.”

Superbike Qualifying

1, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1m05.403s, 2, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m05.435s, 3, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m05.581s, 4, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 1m05.718s, 5, James Haydon (Suzuki) 1m05.789s, 6, Steve Plater (Honda) 1m05.817s, 7, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1m05.940s, 8, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m06.005s, 9, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 1m06.064s, 10, Karl Harris (Honda) 1m06.175s, 11, Tommy Hill (Yamaha) 1m06.212s, 12, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 1m06.267s.

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.paulbirdmotorsport.co.uk

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