Crutchlow Tops Thruxton Practice
Added on Friday, April 18th, 2008 by Carole Nash Editor
Crutchlow finished 0.581s ahead of teammate Leon Haslam
Cal Crutchlow posted the fastest time of the day in practicing as the British Superbike Championship makes a belated start this weekend at Thruxton.
The Honda rider recorded a time of 1:15.071 in the second practice session on Friday to beat teammate Leon Haslam by more than half a second with just five minutes of the session remaining.
The result was a marked improvement on 22-year-olds first session which saw him post the fourth fastest time of the morning, 0.504 seconds behind the fastest rider Karl Harris.
Shayne Byrne continued his positive start on the Ducati with a second and a fourth place whilst Suzuki had mixed fortunes on their home circuit.
Huddersfield’s Tom Sykes came in fifth position on both sessions although teammate Atushi Watanabe finished in a lowly 19th on the second session.
But it was Crutchlow who stole the show with an impressive time and the Coventry-born rider hopes that he can take that form into qualifying on Saturday.
Crutchlow said: “I am happy to be fastest but I am still working on set-up to be able to string fast laps together consistently. It is gusty out on the track with the wind, but we are working through that. Hopefully I can take my second pole position tomorrow and convert it to a win or two.”
British Superbike Championship, Thruxton.
Free Practice One Results:
1. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) 1:16.228
2. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.089s
3. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.195s
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +0.504s
5. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.667s
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +0.698s
7. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +1.349s
8. Tristan Palmer (Tena for Men Honda) +1.365s
9. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Jentin Yamaha) +1.373s
10. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +1.744s
Free Practice Two Results:
1. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 1:15.071s
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.581s
3. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +0.721s
4. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.899s
5. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +1.040s
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +1.081s
7. Stuart Easton (MSS Discovery Kawasaki) +1.619s
8. Simon Andrews (Jentin Racing/Lloyds British) +1.900s
9. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +2.112s
10. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +2.132s
