GNS Racing rider Sam Lowes left it late in the session but with a fantastic last lap, claimed pole position for round nine of the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship at Cadwell Park.
The local rider from Lincoln was playing second best to the CAME Yamaha of Billy McConnell during the 30-minute session and when McConnell pitted for a fresh tyre with five minutes to go it looked as if Lowes would miss out again.
However Lowes had other ideas as having realised what McConnell was doing, he too called into the pits for new rubber leaving himself just one lap to try and claim his and the team's first pole position of the year which he did with a stunning time of 1m29.199s to start tomorrow's 16-lap race from the front of the grid.
Needless to say Lowes was delighted and is hoping to transform his qualifying performance to maximum points in the race and extend his lead at the head of the Championship.
Sam Lowes: "This is the first pole position for me in my 600 career and the first for the team as well, they have done a mega job and I'm really pleased to get it for them because they really deserve it. I want to do well at my local track and, although I know its all about the race, this just proves that we have the speed. We just need to bring it home tomorrow and the podium is what I'm aiming for and hopefully increase my championship lead. It's an amazing feeling and I really want to thank all the team and the sponsors for all their hard work."
Gary Stubbington, team owner: "I'm thoroughly pleased with the boy. It's our first pole position of the year and I'm really pleased with the style in which he did it - on the last lap! I'd just like to congratulate the whole team and everyone involved and hope Sam can continue this in the race tomorrow."
The 16-lap British Supersport race takes place today at 15.50 and is shown live on British Eurosport.
Qualifying Result
1, Sam Lowes (GNS Racing Honda) 1m29.199s2, Billy McConnell (Yamaha) 1m29.359s3, Graeme Gowland (Honda) 1m29.479s4, Ben Wilson (Kawasaki) 1m29.592s5, Ian Hutchinson (Honda) 1m29.929s6, Glen Richards (Honda) 1m30.048s7, James Westmoreland (Yamaha) 1m30.151s8, Jason O'Halloran (Yamaha) 1m30.549s9, Jack Kennedy (Yamaha) 1m30.805s10, Luke Mossey (Triumph) 1m30.910s
2010 British Supersport Calendar
R1 Brands Hatch 3/4/5 April R2 Thruxton 16/17/18 April R3 Oulton Park 1/2/3 May R4 Cadwell Park 21/22/23 May R5 Mallory Park 25/26/27 June R6 Knockhill 2/3/4 July R7 Snetterton 16/17/18 July R8 Brands Hatch GP 6/7/8 August R9 Cadwell Park 28/29/30 August R10 Croft 10/11/12 September R11 Silverstone GP 24/25/26 September R12 Oulton Park 8/9/10 October
