Points all-round for Honda Racing UK in Donington Park opener
Donington Park GP
The Honda Racing UK team have got the tenth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship off to a strong start at Donington Park's GP circuit, with all four riders scoring points in today's opening race, with title fighter Glenn Irwin finishing fifth aboard the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
The weekend got off to a flying start with Glenn setting the pace throughout FP1 and FP3, while FP2 yesterday was cancelled due to treacherous weather conditions at the 2.48-mile track.
Qualifying seventh for today's eBay Sprint Race, Glenn made his way through the field to cross the line in fifth place, ahead of title rivals Tommy Bridewell and Lee Jackson who are just ahead of him in the overall standings. The result from today sees Glenn remain fourth overall, with just a two-point buffer to Lee in third place.
Meanwhile, Glenn's teammates Ryo Mizuno and Takumi Takahashi progressed straight into today's SUPERPICKS Q2 with Takumi seventh and Ryo ninth after FP1. BSB rookie Tom Neave also made it through to Q2, having finished third fastest in Q1.
Q2 was the first time this season that the Honda squad has seen all-four riders together in the session, where Takumi qualified 14th, Tom 15th and Ryo 16th respectively.
In the 15-lap race it was Tom who came home ahead of his Honda teammates Ryo and Takumi as he finished 13th, with Takumi hot on his heels in 14th and Ryo just behind in 15th.
The Honda Racing UK team will be back in action tomorrow (Sunday 2 October) with two longer 20-lap races of the GP circuit.
It's been an enjoyable start to the weekend, obviously topping practice sessions is always nice! In qualifying we had some difficulties and areas where I think we can improve moving forward. We made a change for the race that perhaps maybe was a little the wrong way, but saying that the thing that pleases me most today is that the pace is good, but the feeling not so good. So if we can make the feeling good, then if the pace matches the improvement with the feeling, then I think tomorrow it's realistic to go for 25 points. We want to go into Brands with a real chance, so tomorrow we need to do all we can to achieve that.
I did my best but couldn't finish in the position I wanted. We an issue with the brakes from the start and I think 15th was the best I could do today. In general I think I am setting a good pace so I will do my best again tomorrow in the two races.
It was difficult to ride in less than perfect conditions for all sessions of the free practices, and it was difficult to check what I wanted to try. It was good to get straight to Q2 today, but I wasn't able to set an ideal time in qualifying. During the race I lost a few positions after the start, but towards the second half of the race I got into a better rhythm and will be ready for the two races tomorrow.
It's been a strong start to the weekend and I'm really satisfied with today's progression. I set a new personal best lap time on the GP track, got into Q2 for the first time all year, which sounds horrendous, but it's progress for me and I converted it into a 13th place in the race. It's all another step forward, but I still feel there's more to come. I've gone back a few places on the grid for tomorrow's first race, however I have a good track position off the start on the outside of the track, so hopefully we get a clean getaway and can continue to build. Overall I'm feeling very happy, I'm comfortable with the Fireblade and we'll continue to work this way tomorrow.