Second and fourth for hawk pair.

Hawk Kawasaki's Glen Richards and Scott Smart posted second and fourth fastest times during practice for the fifth BSB round at Mondello Park today. The Hawk pairing finished in the top five in all three of the day's 40 minute practice sessions.

Richards, who set his quickest time aboard his number two bike, after his favoured machine was sidelined due to an electrical problem, was typically understated about his performance, but was pleased to have made major strides forward with the set-up of his ZX-10R.

"I'm second today, but it's only practice so it's not anything to get too excited about," he said. "I feel that we've made some progress with the rear shock absorber and that's given me more confidence in the front end. I'm now getting a lot more feeling from the front, which is pretty much what I've been looking for all season.

"There's always more to come and I'm pleased we're moving in the right direction. I'm also pleased that my team mate's not having it all his own way for a change! Seriously though, Scott's helped me a lot and we push each other and now we're both benefiting from it."

Smarty, who topped the time sheets after the first session, was troubled by a recurring back injury in the last two sessions, but still ended the day an excellent fourth. "I've had a bad back for the last couple of days and it's been causing me discomfort on the bike today," he explained. "I was first in the first session, but unfortunately because of the injury I've been falling back on the time sheets. To be honest, if I'm to go faster tomorrow I need the rider to be better rather than the bike."