Main Features Interviews Forums Shop Links Contacts

Visitor Info
Features
Gallery
Interviews
Shopping
TT History
TT Map







HM Plant Honda on pole

Author: HM Plant Honda Press Release
Posted on: Sunday, Apr 10 2005



Thirty-one-year-old Rutter is hungry for the 2005 title having finished third and second respectively over the past two years. The Leicestershire rider secured prime position on the grid in a new lap record time of 1:15.601 with the help of Michelin qualifying tyres on the factory-backed Fireblade.



His Japanese team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari starts from row two in fifth position after an incident in the closing stages of the second qualifying session saw him lose his place on the front row. The 22-year-old was consistently running in the top four before losing the front of the machine at Allard while travelling at 120mph.



Despite an injury to his left ankle, Kiyonari managed two further laps on the track before the chequered flag was dropped. The double winner of round one is now fighting to be fit for the second leg of the championship tomorrow.



Michael Rutter: "I'm obviously happy to be on pole. The HM team has worked hard to get the set-up correct and it's good to see all of that effort paying off. Kiyonari is unfortunate not to be starting from next to me on the front row, but hopefully he'll be fit enough tomorrow to help me challenge for a HM Plant Honda Racing 1-2 finish in both races."



Ryuichi Kiyonari: "My ankle is a little painful, but I'm hoping that it will be okay for me to race tomorrow. I was just unlucky, but the HM Plant Honda Racing CBR1000RR Fireblade and Michelin tyres are working well together at this circuit and I hope that I get the chance to prove that in the race."



Qualifying: 1. M. Rutter (HM Plant Honda Racing) 1:15.601; 2. L Haslam (Ducati) +0.134; 3. S. Emmett (Yamaha) +0.146; 4. K. Harris (Honda-Racing.co.uk) +0.318; 5. R. Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda Racing) +0.345; 6. G. Richards (Kawasaki) +0.440; 7. G. Lavilla (Ducati) +0.538; 8. S. Smart (Suzuki) +0.703; 9. T. Hill (Yamaha) +0.764; 10. D. Thomas (Kawasaki) +0.775


View all news articles

© TT Website All Rights Reserved