Tel-Emmett-ry: Knockhill 'debut'.

In her latest column for Crash.net, Sean Emmett's girlfriend Lauren Carter gives the 'inside line' on his impressive race debut with the Lloyds British Ducati Supersport team at Knockhill...

We flew up to Edinburgh early (6.50am!!!) Thursday morning and drove straight to the track to meet the team. Sean felt great to be back and to arrive in the paddock knowing he'd got a possibility of winning or being on the rostrum.

Sean was told that the track had been re-surfaced since he last raced there in 2004 (2005 he was out as he broke his elbow racing with Virgin Mobile Yamaha, so he was a studio guest for World Superbikes on Eurosport). We took a walk round the track to see what it was like. Sean thought the surface was much better really smooth and slightly wider so he couldn't wait to get out there!

On the Thursday of the meetings the riders don't really have anything to do as the mechanics are setting up so we checked in to our hotel and went to the cinema to see Pirates of the Caribbean 2 Dead Mans Chest. I thought the film was brilliant despite poor reviews and I was annoying Sean by constantly jumping out of my seat!!

We arrived at the track Friday morning and Sean was beginning to feel nervous and was pacing up and down in his leathers. First practice was great considering Sean was still finding his feet with the bike. He was even fastest for a few seconds before dropping to third place. He eventually ended up fifth with his bike suffering technical problems as a clip on the fuel pipe broke.

But the team were really pleased with Sean's progress and their support built up Sean's confidence and motivation.

Unfortunately second practice didn't go as good and the changes they decided on made Sean go backwards causing him to finish 13th, so it was a bit of a downer but everything you try doesn't necessarily improve the bike all the time.

The team went back on the changes and Sean came seventh in the first qualifying session the following day. It was difficult for Sean to get a clear run on his qualifying tyres as there was a constant stream of bikes.

After another busy session and the sun the strongest it had been all day few riders went quicker, however after totally dominating first qualifying Eugene Laverty was fastest again but had a big crash causing the session to be stopped. This ultimately ended his weekend as he suffered broken bones in his hand. Just shows in racing things can go from great to disaster in a split second! This didn't really affect Sean's position much as he remained on second row but after Camier improved his time from tenth to third Sean moved up from eighth to seventh.

After the stressful qualifying session was over I took Sean's helmets back to Matt and Nick at Shoei and on the way bumped in to my friend Helen who treated me to a refreshing ice cream which we had to queue over 10mins to get!!

The weekend went so quickly and before we knew it, it was race day and the temperature was even hotter! It was brilliant to watch the TV and actually see Sean in the race again but after a couple of laps the front runners - Crutchlow, Sykes and Camier - began to pull away. Cal eventually took off and the camera action was mainly on Sykes and Camier's battle for second place. Near to the end of the race Camier and Sykes collided and everyone moved up a couple of places.

Sean rode consistently as he was hampered by having his rear suspension too soft causing it to 'bottom out', so he had to ride accordingly. As a result Sean achieved a well deserved fourth and the team were ecstatic with his effort and result. Even other Superbike and Supersport riders complimented Sean on a great performance as it has been 14 years since he last ridden a Supersport bike. Martin Jessopp, Sean's team mate, also had a great race by accomplishing his best result yet with an eighth place. So it was smiles all round!

As everybody was happy with the weekend, Sean will see out the season with Lloyds British Ducati.

Our flight back to Heathrow wasn't till early Monday evening so we spent the day in Edinburgh and like real tourists went on a vintage bus tour round the town visiting sites like where Ronnie Corbett went to school, where Alexander Graham Bell lived and learnt facts like, "Edinburgh is further west then both Bristol and Cardiff!" Sean was amazed and it will help you all out if you ever that question in a pub quiz!!

For our two day break before driving up to Oulton Park this weekend I will be enjoying the heat wave with temperatures souring to 35 degrees in Surrey - so enjoy!

My next column will hopefully be celebrating Sean's first rostrum or even a win!

Lauren x