LAVERTY LEAVES IT LATE AT SILVERSTONE
20 August 2005 - Stobart Honda

Stobart Honda rider Michael Laverty left it until the final throes to bump himself up the order during qualifying for round nine of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Silverstone today.

The 24 year old Ulsterman was languishing way down the order half way through the session but a sterling effort in the final few laps saw him end up in ninth position on the grid, meaning a third row start for tomorrow’s two races.

Laverty, fresh from a rostrum finish at the previous two meetings is hoping he can get a good start and continue his good form here this weekend.

“It’s not too bad but I would have been happier on the second row. It’s been hard this weekend, over the last few meetings we haven’t had to change much on the bike but we’ve had to make changes here. We’ve got the settings pretty good now and I’d like to get in the top five, and put it on the rostrum at least once tomorrow” said Laverty.

Meanwhile Gary Mason ensured a second Stobart, VK, Vent Axia and The Mob backed Honda on row three of the grid when he qualified in eleventh place just 0.122 seconds behind his team mate.

The 26 year old from Lichfield is also hopeful of a good result around the former airfield circuit tomorrow.

“It’s just frustrating because I feel really comfortable on the bike and I’m enjoying it. Maybe a bit more time on the qualifiers might have made a difference, but I’m on the third row so it’s not the end of the world. I’m trying a new swinging arm and it is feeling better and we’ve got a good race set up so I’m hoping for a good result” said Mason.

Team owner Paul Bird commented as follows: “That wasn’t great. They seem to be going round in circles and making it hard for themselves. I just hope that tomorrow will be better if they can get a good start”.

Superbike Qualifying

1, Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m26.111s, 2, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m26.228s, 3, Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) 1m26.334s, 4, Leon Haslam (Ducati) 1m26.366s, 5, Dean Thomas (Kawasaki) 1m26.419s, 6, John Reynolds (Suzuki) 1m26.537s, 7, Scott Smart (Kawasaki) 1m26.699s, 8, James Haydon (Suzuki) 1m26.714s, 9, Michael Laverty (Stobart Honda) 1m26.766s, 10, Glen Richards (Kawasaki) 1m26.858s, 11, Gary Mason (Stobart Honda) 1m26.888s.

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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