BRITISH SUPERSPORT CHAMPION Sam Lowes got his first run out with the Parkalgar Honda team during qualifying for tomorrow’s Sunflower races in Northern Ireland, finishing second on the Supersport grid. He also qualified seventh and first 600cc rider in the feature Sunflower race that is open to Superbikes.

Guest Parkalgar Honda racer James Ellison, stepping across from a winning end to his British Superbike season, took fourth on the Supersport grid and 10th in the Sunflower race and is acclimatising quickly to a 600cc race bike.

There are two Supersport races and the Sunflower feature race tomorrow at the Bishopscourt circuit near Downpatrick in Northern Ireland.

Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said:

“Today started our 2011 build up and we are very happy with how Sam is settling in with the team and on his bike. He is getting up to speed quickly and despite very restricted time on a brand new track he has never visited before he is 1.2secs under the lap record and did that on a race tyre. We are learning more about him and how he rides with every lap – and he is learning about his bike and us; there is a lot more to come.

“James is learning the Parkalgar Honda quickly and is already very fast. He has qualified within touching distance of Sam and is going to be at the sharp end in the races. There are some very fast local riders and congratulations to Marshall Neill on a fellow PTR Honda CBR600 for taking pole position in the Supersport class - we look forward to racing with him tomorrow.”

Supersport Qualifying

1: Marshall Neill 1:08.217

2: Sam Lowes PARKALGAR HONDA 1:08.288

3: Jack Kennedy 1:08.583

4: James Ellison PARKALGAR HONDA 1:09.049


Sunflower Feature Race Qualifying (including Superbikes)

1: Michael Laverty 1:06.584

2: Marshall Neill 1:07.025

3: Ian Lowry 1:07.232

7: Sam Lowes PARKALGAR HONDA 1:08.230

10: James Ellison PARKALGAR HONDA 1:09.192.