Knockhill didn’t fail to disappoint us with its famously dire weather this morning (Saturday 9th August).
Qualifying 1
‘Wet qualifying’ didn’t quite do the session justice as it was so bad the riders were naming the various rivers that were flowing through the track. The riding was dangerous, difficult, and it proved to be a very challenging session for the Supersport pair. Both Glen and Paul seemed to take up every position possible on the timing grid with nobody really excelling in the session.
With only one bike at his disposal after his crash yesterday, Paul spent a lot of time in the pit while the team altered the tyres and settings before he could go out again. Glen meanwhile had his own problems to deal with, a leaking helmet and foggy visor to name a few. Visibility was limited as it was and other teams seemed to be experiencing similar problems and struggling with the conditions.
The session finished with Glen going seventh fastest and Paul 16th, but although it was a disappointing result for the pair, the top five had a few new faces, none of which are pushing Glen at the top of the championship.
A wet Glen Richards gave us his thoughts on the first session.
"The conditions are really bad. To be honest it doesn’t get much worse than this, well I’m hoping it doesn’t anyway. We can go faster around the track and I’m confident I'll have the perfect setup for the second session this afternoon and with a bit of luck the weather might ease up, but that is looking increasingly unlikely if I’m honest.”
Qualifying 2
The weather seemed to ease up for the Superbike race but by the time the boys were due to go out again it was pretty torrential, although not quite as bad as the first session. Glen and Paul made numerous trips to the pit garage but just couldn’t seem to find the x-factor they needed. Glen, again seemed to occupy every position on the grid until with five minutes left he managed to set the second fastest time. Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and as the session ended Glen found himself in 7th and will start on the second row for the first time this year.
Paul Young found it tough going too. Try as he might he just couldn’t seemed to find the pace out on a slippery track and will start in 20th position on the grid.
The positives for Glen are, just like the first session, the front row is made up of riders that should pose no threat to the championship challenge with the exception of Ian Lowry on the Relentless TAS Suzuki and Glen’s biggest rival Hudson Kennaugh will start way back on the third row.
Map Embassy's Championship leader gave his views on the session and the race tomorrow
“I’m a little disappointed but it just means I will have a good race on my hands tomorrow. I don’t want to lose focus at this stage of the season and hopefully I can claw my way up to the front of the pack tomorrow. The weather forecast isn’t good but we will all be in the same boat. In fact, I think boats might do better out there to be honest.”
1. Jack Kennedy – Rob Mac Proride
2. James Westmoreland – Centurion Racing
3. David Paton – AIM Yamaha Racing
4. Ian Lowry – Relentless Suzuki by TAS
5. Steven Neate – Gearlink Kawasaki
7. Glen Richards – MAP Embassy Racing
20. Paul Young – MAP Embassy Racing
Glen Richards will be wearing a black helmet with the number 18 on either side this weekend. Glen has chosen to wear the number 18 helmet in memory of his friend Craig Jones who tragically died last week following a crash at the World Supersport Championships at Brands Hatch. Jones made his name on a Triumph and Glen thought it would be a fitting triubute as he is currently leading the championship onboard a Triumph Daytona. He will be signing the helmet and donating it to the CJ Riders fund for auction following the race at Knockhill. For more information on the CJ Riders funder please visit www.cjnine.com
