Luke Stapleford emerged strongest in this morning’s Supersport qualifying session to take pole position ahead of Jack Kennedy.
Stapleford, who comes into this weekend leading Honda Racing UK’s Kennedy by 44 points, topped the qualifying timesheets with a best lap of 1min 16.177secs, beating his rival by 0.358secs.
Both will be joined on the front row by Kennedy’s team-mate Dean Harrison.
Australia’s Oli Bayliss was fourth fastest in his first visit to Thruxton and will head Row Two with fellow World Supersport star Can Öncü – standing in for the injured Ben Currie on the McAMS Yamaha – alongside him in fifth position.
Cam Swain led the way among the Cup class runners, and will start from p21 on the grid, three spaces ahead of second quickest James Alderson while Stephen Thomas starts third in class, a further two places behind.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Qualifying:
1. Luke Stapleford (Scars-Racing Ducati) 1min 16.177s
2. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +0.358s
3. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) +0.573s
4. Oli Bayliss (Triumph Macadam Factory Racing) +0.703s
5. Can Öncü (McAMS Yamaha) +0.755s