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News, Views & Racing Results ....
 BSB, THRUXTON : HILL AND PIRELLI ENJOY MAIDEN POLE GLORY - 14-04-2007
Tommy Hill and Pirelli enjoyed their maiden pole glory, at record breaking pace, ahead of the second round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton.
The Virgin Media Optoma Loans Yamaha rider recorded the fastest ever two wheeled lap seen around the 2.3556 mile Hampshire circuit as he headed off the determined challenge coming in from former champion, and current series leader, Gregorio Lavilla.
Hill ruled, however, supreme, topping 200 miles an hour on the long straight as he powered to a remarkable 1m 14.433secs lap at an average speed of 113.93mph. “Unbelievable. I am just over the moon to have done that,” said the 22 year old Lingfield rider. “Less that a week ago I was struggling to be in the top ten qualifiers at Brands Hatch, and now I am enjoying my first ever pole in the Superbikes. It is a great feeling – bring on the races.”
Lavilla, riding the Dunlop shod Airwaves Ducati, closed within 0.055secs of the delighted Hill, but the Spaniard remains confident that he can repeat his winning double of last year at this circuit to continue his unbeaten start to the season as he bids to regain the crown he held two years ago.
Another former champion, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne enjoyed a strong qualifying session, running his Stobart Vent Axia Motorsport Honda third fastest, with a lap of 1m 14.644secs, a third of a second up on Jonathan Rea on the first of the two Michelin shod HM Plant Hondas.
Rea is jointly second in the title stakes with Leon Camier, who qualified his Bike Animal Honda sixth best, lapping in 1m 14.938secs. The 20 year old Ashford rider was out-run, just, by Tom Sykes, but was ahead of the experienced duo of Chris Walker, riding Rizla Suzuki, and the reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari who was again struggling somewhat, with eighth best time, 1m 15.097secs, and starting from the second row.
Cal Crutchlow, who was uninjured in a tumble during the morning free practice, headed the third row, running ahead of Leon Haslam, Michael Rutter and Karl Harris while on the fourth row Scott Smart lined up alongside Dean Thomas, Peter Hickman and Ollie Bridewell, who ran a split second ahead of his younger brother Tommy on the Team NB Suzuki.
James Buckingham, the former British Superbike Cup winner, and current leader in the privateers category, ran 19th overall, with a best lap of 1m 16.569secs, a full second up on Marty Nutt. Paul Barron, Malcolm Ashley, Ryan Farquhar, Neil Faulkner and Tom Tunstall completed the Cup qualifiers.
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