RUTTER SEIZES POLE IN FINAL SECONDS
11 September 2004 - Honda Racing

Michael Rutter will start tomorrow’s British Superbike Championship races at the front of the grid after seizing pole position on the final lap of qualifying.

The Leicestershire rider was languishing on the second row after the first qualifying session this morning at Oulton Park.

However, 31-year-old Rutter was not ready to admit defeat and refused to give up on maintaining his 100 per cent record of starting every race this season from the front row. In the early stages of the second session he had dropped to eighth place and had to rush back to the pits after crashing at Knickerbrook on an out lap.

Remarkably, Rutter responded in style and took a provisional front row spot. Then he powered the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR to its fourth pole position of the season – and his first since round five at Mondello Park in May. The superb time of 1:37.048 was just inside the existing lap record of 1:37.272 which was set by Rutter earlier this year.

Team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari will start the two 18-lap British Superbike races from the head of row three after qualifying in ninth position. The 21-year-old Japanese rider, who did not compete in round four at Oulton Park following an accident during practice, is finding the 2.692-mile Cheshire circuit difficult due to its undulating nature.

Michael Rutter: “I always save the best ‘til last. I had to work hard after that crash – the bike just spat me off without any warning, so I’d like to thank the HM Plant Honda Racing team for helping to get me back out there so quickly. It was obviously important to secure a front row starting spot to keep the pressure on for the title. It’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen tomorrow before we see what the weather’s like. However, you can guarantee that I’ll be totally committed to adding to my tally of race wins.”

Ryuichi Kiyonari: “This is a difficult race for me after missing the last round here in May. If you take this into consideration, then I’m happy with my performance. This is a challenging circuit for me to find a good set-up. However, my confidence is high after the last three rounds and my aim will once again be to help Michael in his challenge for the title.”

Qualifying times: 1. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) 1:37.048; 2. D. Thomas (Ducati) 1:37.104; 3. J. Reynolds (Suzuki) 1:37.162; 4. S. Emmett (Ducati) 1:37.286; 5. Y. Kagayama (Suzuki) 1:37.364; 6. S. Plater (Yamaha) 1:37.805; 7. S. Smart (Kawasaki) 1:37.854; 8. G. Richards (Kawasaki) 1:37.921; 9. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) 1:37.993; 10. J. Haydon (Yamaha) 1:38.181

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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