Bradley Ray continued to impress with his rapid pace in Bandero Café Shoot Out Qualifying at Knockhill as the Raceways Yamaha rider claimed the Omologato Pole Position at Knockhill, despite a low speed slide off at the Hairpin with ten minutes remaining.
In another typically close Knockhill session, the top 14 riders were covered by just 0.799s, but it was Ray, who had set the benchmark on his third lap of Q2 before his marginal error. The Championship leader was able to remount and return to pitlane as his rivals continued to try and close the gap.
Defending champion Kyle Ryde came within 0.165s of his Yamaha rival despite also not having a drama free Q2 session. He had shown determination on the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha to progress through Q1 to be in the fight for the Omologato Pole Position, setting his lap despite a small technical issue.
The home crowd had something to celebrate as Rory Skinner launched his Cheshire Mouldings Ducati onto the front row in third place, easing Josh Brookes and DAO Racing Honda onto the second row.
Storm Stacey who had been the pace-setter in yesterday’s wet conditions was fifth, whilst an attacking last run of laps from Scott Redding put him into sixth place to complete row two, despite only having his first taste of the Hager PBM Ducati in the dry conditions today after having to progress through Q1.
Charlie Nesbitt will head row three for MasterMac Honda, his teammate meanwhile John McPhee had a tough session, crashing out at turn three just two minutes into Q2 with Tommy Bridewell and Lee Jackson locking out row three.
Bandero Café Shoot Out Qualifying, Knockhill result:
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 47.393s
- Kyle Ryde (OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +0.165s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +0.189s
- Josh Brookes (DAO Racing Honda) +0.202s
- Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing BMW) +0.225s
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) +0.234s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +0.288s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.314s
- Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) +0.342s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.414s
For the full session result please click here