RIZLA MEN CONFIDENT FOR KNOCKHILL
 Rizla
Suzuki racer Chris Walker was eighth and his team mate Cal
Crutchlow ninth - both within one second of the leader - after
today's practice sessions for the seventh round of the Bennetts
British Superbike Championship at Knockhill in Scotland.
In dry but overcast conditions, 'Stalker' spent time tyre
testing and trying both his Rizla Suzuki race bikes around
the 1.29-mile long twisty and hilly circuit. He ended the
day comfortable on his bike and in confident mood.
Crutchlow made large scale changes in the set-up of his bike
in-between the two 50-minute long sessions. He left his fastest
lap until the end of the day on a tyre that had completed
a race distance simulation and is happy with his Rizla Suzuki.
Honda's Ryuichi Kiyonari was fastest.
Superbike racing starts at 1300 at Knockhill in Fife, Scotland,
on Sunday, July 1st.
Chris Walker:
"I compared both my Rizla Suzukis during practice and
one of them is easier to ride quickly around here. It is giving
me decent feedback and I am comfortable riding it.
"I tested a couple of different tyres and made a bit
of headway. We didn't make many changes but the ones we did
made a difference and helped improve the lap time. Thank you
to my crew and Dunlop for their support: I think it has been
a positive day for us."
Cal Crutchlow:
"We experimented with some new settings this morning
but while they allowed me to ride quickly, I wasn't that comfortable
and in the afternoon we reverted to a set-up that we established
earlier in the season.
"I ran a race distance tyre test in the afternoon and
made very few alterations to my bike. My main problem is the
forks bottoming out on the entrance to the hairpin - there
is a massive bump that is very unsettling. My crew will make
a few changes to help me through there tomorrow."
Simon Buckmaster - Team Manager:
"It's been a good solid day for both Rizla Suzuki racers.
Chris has shown strong form right from his first out lap and
Cal has tested a fair few settings, leaving him in a decent
position just behind his team mate.
"The Rizla Suzuki riders are within touching distance
of the leaders and optimistic they can improve. Well done
to the riders and the team for working so well - we are all
looking forward to qualification. I think it would be preferable
if it was dry but if the weather forecast comes true and it
is wet, I don't think that will make a huge difference; there
is positive momentum within the team."
Friday Practice times:
1: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 48.334
2: Jonathan Rea (Honda) +0.211
3: Leon Haslam (Ducati) +0.252
4: Leon Camier (Honda) +0.391
5: Tom Sykes (Honda) +0.448
6: Gregorio Lavilla (Ducati) +0.491
7: Shane Byrne (Honda) +0.508
8: Chris Walker (Rizla Suzuki) +0.882
9: Cal Crutchlow (Rizla Suzuki) +0.969
10: Dean Thomas (Suzuki) +1.080.
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