2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Rounds 5 & 6 - Oulton Park, Cheshire
 ROW
THREE START FOR ELLISON AT OULTON
Hydrex Bike Animal Honda rider James Ellison posted ninth
fastest time in difficult damp conditions at Oulton Park,
Cheshire today, and as a result will start tomorrow's two
races in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship from
row three of the grid.
The 27 year old Cumbrian was consistently inside the top
seven riders throughout the session which was held on a wet
track to start off with, but dried out throughout the 50 minutes
of the session. But with a number of quicker laps coming in
the dying minutes, Ellison found himself bumped back to ninth
position meaning he heads row three of the grid for the two
18-lap races.
Starting directly behind him on row four will be team mate
Guy Martin who set thirteenth fastest time, despite sliding
off late in the session. The 26 year old Humbersider set a
number of consistent laps in the difficult conditions and
is confident going into tomorrow's two races.
James Ellison: "We've still got some
issues but we'll get there. The first two races at Thruxton
were like a test for us and we haven't been out since then
and this is such a different track that it's like starting
from scratch again with our settings. The conditions were
not ideal today and also because of the new tyre rule meaning
you have to use the tyres that you have stickered up, we ended
up not using the ones we wanted. I'd have been happier if
I'd been on the second row but we'll just have to see how
it goes tomorrow and hope I get a good start."
Guy Martin: "I want sacking after I
slid off, but I didn't think I'd done anything wrong on the
bike, it was just one of those things. The boys want me to
use the new forks so coming here is just like another test
really but if we keep plugging away it will come, and hope
we have a good couple of races tomorrow. A lot worse happens
at sea!"
Shaun Muir (Team Owner): "I'm generally
happy with both riders' performance, their times were improving
each time out. James is making good moves forwards and will
have a reasonably good start position to keep him up with
the fast guys in front of him. I expect him to be in the top
four and a podium isn't out of question. Guy is gaining confidence
all the time in his build up to the roads and I expect him
to be in the top twelve. I'm looking forward to seeing what
James can do on a circuit he likes and we're looking forward
to race day."
Race one gets underway at 1.00pm on Sunday, with race two
at 3.30pm.
Qualifying
1, Cal Crutchlow (Honda) 1m36.605s, 2, Shane Byrne (Ducati)
1m37.188s, 3, Tom Sykes (Suzuki) 1m37.244s, 4, Leon Haslam
(Honda) 1m37.390s, 5, Michael Rutter (Honda) 1m37.510s, 6,
Karl Harris (Yamaha) 1m37.908s, 7, Leon Camier (Ducati) 1m38.089s,
8, Michael Laverty (Suzuki) 1m38.565s, 9, James Ellison (Hydrex
Bike Animal Honda) 1m38.653s, 10, Simon Andrews (Yamaha) 1m38.712s..13,
Guy Martin (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 1m39.335s.
Round 1 - 4th/6th April - Brands Hatch GP, Kent
Round 2 - 18th/20th April - Thruxton, Hants
Round 3 - 3rd/5th May - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 4 - 24th/26th May - Donington Park, Leics
Round 5 - 13th/15th June - Snetterton, Norfolk
Round 6 - 27th/29th June - Mallory Park
Round 7 - 18th/20th July - Oulton Park, Cheshire
Round 8 - 8th/10th August - Knockhill, Fife
Round 9 - 23rd/25th August - Cadwell Park, Lincs
Round 10 - 12th/14th September - Croft, North Yorkshire
Round 11 - 26th/28th September, Silverstone, Northants
Round 12 - 10th/12th October - Brands Hatch Indy, Kent
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