BSB - Airwaves Ducati Look To Improve For Qualifying At Oulton Park - September 9th 2005

Airwaves Ducati riders Leon Haslam and Gregorio Lavilla spent today re-acquainting themselves with the circuit during two free practice sessions at Oulton Park today in preparation for the eleventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship. With track conditions not ideal for fast lap times, both riders made a steady start to the weekend and will be looking to progress during qualifying tomorrow. Leon improved throughout the day and topped the time sheets in the afternoon with a time of 1.37.344s, just over a tenth of a second off the lap record. Gregorio made more measured gains and eventually finished thirteenth with a time of 1.39.169s, hopeful of faster times tomorrow.

Airwaves Ducati Team Manager, Colin Wright, was pleased with the start to the weekend: "We've made a good start to the weekend, it wasn't the easiest conditions for the riders to re-acquaint themselves with the track. However, the team were looking to fine tune the bikes and with Leon going fastest this afternoon, we're hopeful we can improve further tomorrow. The track was wet this morning and there were still one or two damp patches this afternoon so there's plenty more to come from both riders. The key now is to perform well during qualifying tomorrow to set us up for the races on Sunday".

Leon was pleased with the two sessions: "I'm happy with everything - we tested two different tyres and are already down on the times I was setting when I won here in May. It's the first time we've tried the new Ohlins front forks round Oulton so I was getting used to them but I feel there's plenty more to come from the Airwaves Ducati and hopefully we can stay at the front during qualifying tomorrow".

Gregorio was eager to work his way up the time sheets: "The bike doesn't feel as comfortable as the last time we were here. It's not working quite as well yet so we need to work on finding the best set up for tomorrow's qualifying. The tyres felt good but I just need to work a little more on the suspension".

The eleventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship continues with two 50 minute qualifying sessions tomorrow before two 18-lap races on Sunday 11th September.