PARKALGAR HONDA’S Eugene Laverty took a brilliant pole position at his home track at Silverstone in the UK beating off his title rivals to set up a thrilling 10th round of the World Supersport Championship.

Miguel Praia will start from 12th and the third row of the grid after a tough qualifying session when he failed to improve on his lap time from yesterday. Wild card rider for this round Christian Iddon took 2.5seconds from his lap time yesterday and will start from 23rd on his World Championship debut. The race takes place on Sunday August 1st at 1330 local time at Silverstone in the UK. Also at the Track Eugene Laverty Merchandise will be on sale at George Whites stand. Located just behind the start/finish grandstands.

Eugene: “There is not much in it at the front of the grid. I am happy to get a pole position here at the team’s second home round after Parkalgar in Portugal – especially as I made mistakes on my last two-laps. The difference in lap times from using a worn to a new tyre is very little; I can do similar lap times on either. I think we are in a good position, our race set-up is strong.”

Miguel: “After my crash late in yesterday’s qualifying I approached today differently and tried to go through my crash corner in a different gear. I tried in second gear, the same as Eugene, but it didn’t work for me. In the end I went back to third gear and it was better. In the second half of the session I tried to go quickly by myself and found that I have a good rhythm for the race – even though I am disappointed to have dropped down the grid; it is very close here, I am only 1-second from pole position.”

Christian: “Before the session I had a chat with Eugene and he told me the lines I need to take. I am still riding more like a Superbike and struggling to let the bike run through the corners; I want to stop it, turn and fire out but that doesn’t work on a 600. But the important thing is I am quicker than before and making progress every session – for the first time I could feel the bike move and now have an idea where some limits are. The Parkalgar Honda bike and team are absolutely mega and in the race I want to try and get with the group in front and challenge inside the top 20.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “That was a great qualifying lap from Eugene and he backed it up with several laps close to the same time, he is in good shape to contest the win. Miguel was consistent but didn’t improve his lap time – he needs to dig very deep now and keep his confidence high for the race because he is better than 12th place as qualifying suggests. Christian has really cut his lap times and is learning fast, if he can find more in warm-up then a top 20 result is possible for him which would be outstanding given the level of competition here.”

Final Qualifying

1: LAVERTY, PARKALGAR HONDA 2:09.426

2: Sofuoglu +0.030

3: Lascorz +0.035

4: Tamburini +0.111

5: Harms +0.390

6: Rea +0.390

7: Fujiwara +0.764

8: Roccoli +0.830

9: Davies +0.832

10: Salom +0.836

12: PRAIA, PARKALGAR HONDA +1.012

23: IDDON, PARKALGAR HONDA +3.358

PARKALGAR HONDA racer Eugene Laverty took provisional pole position and Miguel Praia is right behind him on the grid at the head of the second row in fifth after the first qualifying session for the 10th round of the World Supersport Championship at Silverstone in the UK.

Wild card Parkalgar Honda racer for this round Christian Iddon is 26th on his debut to World Championship racing. There is another practice and qualifying session tomorrow before the race takes place at 1330 local time on Sunday, August 1st.

Eugene: “This morning was OK but I wasn’t getting the feedback I wanted from my Parkalgar Honda so this afternoon we worked on that and made improvements. After that we concentrated on finding more rear grip; around here there are some corners where the bike was spinning up a lot and we want to get it hooking up and driving more. The rest of the field has caught up with us faster than we would have liked but that’s racing. There are four more races to go and I am not even thinking of this as a home round – just four races to go to challenge for the Championship and to do our best.”

Miguel: “I expected to be in the top five today after our test here as it is a long track and difficult to learn so we had a small advantage. I crashed right at the end when I was going for a fastest lap and this is disappointing as I felt good - I lost the front but I am OK and unhurt. After today the other riders have now learnt the track and tomorrow I will have to work hard to maintain my pace and want to compete for the second row.”

Christian: “I had a bit of a moment when I ran on to the astro turf and it went sideways but apart from that I am just trying to learn my way around the track and am aiming to knock one-second per lap per session from my times. The Parkalgar Honda is absolutely mint but there is a lot to learn here and I think I am still riding with a Superbike style and need to let the bike flow more. I’m enjoying it, riding against the best in the world, these lads are as good as they get.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “Excellent efforts by Eugene and Miguel to head up the first and second rows at our second home round at Silverstone in the UK. Both riders are looking very good and have more to come. Christian is learning quickly and making progress – we will help him concentrate on his riding, lines and how to get the most from the bike this evening and expect him to go faster tomorrow. It has been a good day for the Parkalgar Honda team.”

First Qualification

1 50 Laverty E. (IRL) Honda CBR600RR 2′09.826
2 4 Rea G. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2′09.916
3 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2′09.987
4 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2′10.069
5 117 Praia M. (POR) Honda CBR600RR 2′10.438
6 44 Tamburini R. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 2′10.689
7 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 2′10.761
8 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2′10.915
9 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 2′11.195
10 17 McConnell B. (AUS) Yamaha YZF R6 2′11.339
26 21 Iddon C. (GBR) Honda CBR600RR 2′15.172.

EUGENE LAVERTY will settle for nothing short of victory at the 10th round of the World Supersport Championship at Silverstone this Sunday August 1st as he battles to keep his and Parkalgar Honda’s title challenge alive.

The UK round is effectively the team’s second home round of the year as the squad is based out of the nearby county of Lincolnshire. The first home round took place in March at the spectacular Parkalgar circuit near Portimao in Portugal which is the team title sponsor and owner.

Eugene : “I am hoping for a better result at Silverstone, I need a good home run, All I can do now is win races and close the gap on Kenan and Joan. There’s not much in it and I will be giving it my all this weekend.”

Eugene is 22-points behind series leader Kenan Sofuoglu on another Honda with just four rounds remaining. He has already won five races so far this year and after a test at Silverstone last week he already knows the layout of the new circuit and will be putting as much pressure as possible on his rivals.

Parkalgar Honda ace Miguel Praia is coming off a brilliant seventh place career best result at Brno in the Czech Republic and is looking for a repeat performance at Silverstone. Miguel said: “I feel good physically, have a lot of faith in my Parkalgar Honda team and motorcycle and want to match or beat my seventh place at the last round. The test at Silverstone last week was good and I think the fast nature of the circuit and the long lap will be to my advantage. I hope the British fans will get behind me and the team.”

For this round, British Supermoto supremo Christian Iddon will be racing as a wild-card on a third Parkalgar Honda race bike. The super-skilled racer is trying road racing and hoping to make a mark on the biggest stage of them all at Silverstone.

Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “We welcome Christian to the team for his home round and will do all we can to get him into the points, although that will not be easy with a strong line-up of British wild-card riders joining the regulars on the grid. It is a big opportunity for him to show what he can do.

“Eugene needs to win and Miguel is on great form, the weekend is as simple as that for us. The British fans are very supportive of us and I hope they get behind us again this weekend.”

There is practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday before the race takes place at 1330 local time on Sunday, August 1st.

Laverty’s hopes of extending his advantage at the top of the leaderboard were scuppered six laps in when he pulled off the circuit with a technical issue on his Parkalgar Honda.
Lavert: “Obviously I’m disappointed with how my day went but this is racing after all. That’s the first breakdown we’ve had this year and unfortunately it happened during a race. My bike felt really good on the first lap, it was handling so well and I could brake incredibly late. I moved to the front confident of victory but the moment I took the lead my bike began losing power.

All is not lost however, I was in a similar position in the title race after Valencia earlier in the year and I bounced back with three wins in a row. I intend to do the same again.”
Championship Standings

1: SOFUOGLU 183
2 : LASCORZ 168
3: Laverty PARKALGAR HONDA 161
4 : DAVIES 113
5: SALOM 72
6 : HARMS 71
7 : REA 67
8 : FUJIWARA 59
9: PIRRO 58
10: LAGRIVE 56
12: Praia PARKALGAR HONDA 47

PARKALGAR HONDA ace Eugene Laverty took third place on the front row of the grid for the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship at Brno in the Czech Republic despite crashing with more than 10-minutes to go while Miguel Praia finished a well-deserved 10th.

Eugene was caught out by a bump on the entry to the first corner and is unhurt – he came back to the garage but finished the session watching the timing screens. Qualification took place in blistering sunshine and high temperatures. The race starts at 1330CET on Sunday, July 11th. To keep up to date with the race weekend go to www.eugenelaverty.com

Eugene: “I was caught out by that bump, it was completely unexpected. I should have saved the crash but it just went on and down – I am a bit annoyed. I came back to the pits but decided not to go out again and watched the timing screens. I am pleased that I managed to stay on the front row as it got fast towards the end. Overall the setting of my Parkalgar Honda is very good and I am happy with it, I can run quick lap times consistently. I now know that bump is there so I’ll be avoiding it in the race.”

Miguel: “I am very happy to get into the 2mins 3seconds bracket but a little disappointed not to have stuck on the second row, the pace was very hot, just like the weather. I can run quick lap times here and I am enjoying the circuit, I think I can have a good race tomorrow. My Parkalgar Honda is good and if I can get away with the riders just in front of me then I will be able to compete with them, I need a good start.”

Simon Buckmaster, Team Manger Parkalgar Honda: “Eugene was unfortunate to crash on a bump and miss the last part of the session because I am sure he could have gone faster. As it is he is on the front row and can run a very fast race pace; he will be in the fight for the victory. Miguel has genuinely impressed by taking 10th and running fast lap times. He will need a good start as he is in a bunch of riders very closely matched - but if he does he can compete inside the top 10.”

Final Qualifying

1: Lascorz, Kawasaki 2:02.800

2: Fujiwara, Kawasaki +0.017

3: Laverty, Parkalgar Honda +0.282

4: Foret, Kawasaki +0.393

5: Sofuoglu, Honda +0.597

6: Pirro, Honda +0.621

7: Rea, Honda +0.650

8: Davies, Triumph +0.841

9: Harms, Honda +0.957

10: Praia, Parkalgar Honda +1.159.

EUGENE LAVERTY took a comfortable second and Miguel Praia an impressive eighth for Parkalgar Honda in the first qualifying session for the ninth round of the World Supersport Championship at Brno in the Czech Republic.

In glorious sunshine, both riders improved throughout the day and are in positive frames of mind. Wild card racer Daniel Bukowski from Poland on a PTR prepared Bogdanka Honda CBR600RR took more than a second from his personal best at the circuit to finish 15th. There is another practice and qualifying session on Saturday before the race takes place at 1330CET on Sunday, July 11th. To follow Eugene go to www.eugenelaverty.com.

Eugene: “This morning when we started I had very little rear end grip and the front end was not giving me the feedback I wanted. We worked on the settings and this afternoon we have found a good setting with the forks and there is now more rear grip. We have things we want to improve but overall we are not in a bad position and working hard to improve.”

Miguel: “This morning I was as high as third and I am happy with a close eighth this afternoon in qualifying. I am only a couple of 10ths away from the front row and my lap times are consistent – I can do more than one lap quickly. We are working on the chassis of my Parkalgar Honda, it is good but there are some areas we will try to make better for tomorrow. I like Brno and I am happy with my physical condition and preparation for this race, I feel I am in my best ever shape.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “A strong start to the weekend for Parkalgar Honda with Eugene right at the front and Miguel showing genuine pace to get on to the second row and be within touching distance of the front row. We have good race pace with Eugene and there is more work we can do to improve that – as well as going for one fast lap. It’s another positive day for Miguel carrying on his good form from Misano. He is on the second row and there is a real chance he can maintain that tomorrow.”

First Qualifying

1: Fujiwara, Kawasaki 2:02.817

2: Laverty, Parkalgar Honda +0.901

3: Lascorz, Kawasaki +1.085

4: Pirro, Honda +1.182

5: Foret, Kawasaki +1.327

6: Salom, Triumph +1.340

7: Sofuoglu, Honda +1.341

8: Praia, Parkalgar Honda +1.364

9: Harms, Honda +1.491

10: Rea, Honda +1.593.

I’m back in the lead of the championship at last! It’s required four victories from five races and I’ll be giving it my all from here on in to make sure I stay at the top. Misano was scorching hot which was ideal for the holiday makers along the Adriatic Coast but not so much for us riders. A new challenger emerged in the form of Gino Rea who’s been improving all season and in Misano he looked set for a podium finish until Michele Pirro wiped him out. Ole Pirro is making a name for himself for all the wrong reasons, he managed to knock his teammate Sofuoglu off at their test in Imola last week as well.

I attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed for the first time last weekend and I was well impressed by the event. The weather was great too so it was cool just to hang out with the other riders without the pressures of racing. The craic was brilliant with everyone on a busman’s holiday bar Dougie Lampkin. I really felt for him as he was worked off his feet, everytime I seen him he was riding his Beta across some sort of obstacle! The highlight of my weekend was riding an RC45 Honda up the hill on Sunday morning. It felt so different to my CBR 600RR though, the seat felt really low to the floor and there was loads of room to move around.

I’m off to Brno now to defend my lead in the title race. This one’s going to go down to the wire between the three of us, many people thought I’d have it easy this year with Crutchlow gone but I knew that Sofuoglu and Lascorz would push me all the way. I’d love to go to either Moto2 or World Superbikes as the World Supersport Champion next year. I know that, with the right team, I am capable of winning in both categories so I will consider my options carefully over the coming month.

Last year I wasn’t ready to make the move as I felt I needed one more stable year to heal the wounds of two tough years in 250 Grands Prix. Now I feel I’m the complete package and ready to take on a new challenge, however this time I’m much less naive. I’ve learnt not to respect those who don’t respect me and not to take shit from anyone. In many ways I was brought up too well and I suffered for that when I first made the switch to Grands Prix racing.

Negotiations for next season are only just beginning for me but I’ll leave that up to my manager Ian Wheeler. My sole focus is on winning the World Supersport Championship, I’ve not taken much notice of anything else recently! Hopefully I can extend my lead in the championship this weekend as three points really isn’t much of a buffer.

Catch ya soon,

Eugene