The Supersports are currently on track for their final qualifying session before the Superbikes return for an hour's free practice ahead of Superpole. As for the weather, it is cold and windy but the sun is creeping through the clouds. We might well see a dry session yet….
13.30 Saturday PM
So what is the difference between a World Superbike and a British Superbike? Well, rather than me try to explain it, I hand you over to Rizla Suzuki Chief Technician Paul Jennings...
“A BSB bike uses far more standard parts. The WSBK rules are more open. We can change pistons and cam-shaft profiles to give you more lift, but in BSB you can only change the cam-shaft to give you more duration.
“With a WSBK engine, you can rev it more safely and because we have to use standard conrods in the BSB, we have to change them far more often than we did last year when we had strong rods. So it is no cheaper for us.”
Now here's a dilemma for the fans out there lining the banks this weekend, Thermos in hand and keeping one foot on the umbrella to stop it from floating away. Would you rather it rain and it negate the slight power disadvantage of the BSB-specification bikes, or would you rather see some racing in the sun? It'll be more of a challenge for Tom Sykes et al, but at least you'll be dry...
It's a tough one, but as Paul puts it, rain will certainly level the playing field.
“The small amount of time that the bikes are full throttle, the wheels are spinning all the time anyway. It is a lot more about getting mechanical grip than having something like 10bhp extra. It doesn't make any difference if the wheel is spinning.”
12.00 PM Saturday
Cal Crutchlow has grabbed provisional pole position heading into the single-lap Superpole after producing a fine lap not long before the heavens opened once again.
Whatever HM Plant have done to the bike to bring it up to World Superbike pace is obviously working as team-mate Leon Haslam is third too.
Ryuichi Kiyonari splits the pair for a Honda 1-2-3.
All five Brits made it into Superpole, with Tom Sykes seventh quickest, James Ellison 12th and Chris Walker 15th.
Special mention goes to Gregorio Lavilla, who returned to the circuit in the dying seconds of the session to pump in a lap good enough for 13th and therefore a Superpole shot. This was despite the level of standing water on the circuit.
