HM PLANT HONDAS ON FRONT ROW
09 July 2005 - Honda Racing

Ryuichi Kiyonari and Michael Rutter will start tomorrow’s two 25-lap Bennetts British Superbike Championship races side-by-side from second and third places respectively on the front row.

The HM Plant Honda of Kiyonari was consistently fast at the 1.952-mile Norfolk circuit throughout free practice and qualifying sessions.

The 22-year-old dominated the morning session and the early part of the afternoon before conceding pole position to Leon Haslam by just 0.03 seconds in the closing stages. However, Kiyonari cannot be ruled out for a third consecutive victory in the ultra-competitive championship.

At every event where the Japanese rider has completed race distance, he has finished on the podium and visited the top step eight times this season. He consistently put in 1:05 laps aboard the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade at Snetterton today.

Rutter was not far off his team-mate’s pace during the morning session. However, he was relegated from second to fourth after a crash in the closing stages. Despite feeling the effects of the spill, the Midlander was back out on track in the afternoon and proved to be one of the most consistent riders during an exciting session. He settled for third place and his sixth front row start of the season.

Michael Rutter: “I feel that there is a definite pattern to each round of the championship this season. Kiyo has been setting a hot pace and Snetterton has been no exception this weekend. I had a good run here last year, which included the lap record, but this will be under threat in tomorrow’s races. I’ve still got a good lead in the points table, but I’ve got to stop Kiyo’s relentless run of victories if I’m to realise my ambition of winning the championship.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “I’m very happy with the performance of the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade, especially after taking a double win at Knockhill two weeks ago. I’m hoping to repeat this at Snetterton, but it will be difficult to beat Michael and some of the other riders over race distance. I have to push hard with the championship in mind, while remembering that it is important to finish every race.”

Qualifying: 1. L. Haslam (Ducati) 1:05.403; 2. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) 1:05.435; 3. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing 1:05.581; 4. M. Laverty (Honda) 1:05.718; 5. J. Haydon (Suzuki) 1:05.789; 6. S. Plater (Honda) 1:05.817; 7. G. Lavilla (Ducati) 1:05.940; 8. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) 1:06.005; 9. D. Thomas (Kawasaki) 1:06.064; 10. K. Harris (Honda-Racing.co.uk) 1:06.175

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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