Summer returns for Superbike qualifying at Croft...

[GSH]

Harrumph !

After several weeks of fantastic weather, Croft did what it does best and gave us a Cloudy, cold and windy day. Did someone say it's August? Oh well, at least there wasn't any heat haze to contend with :lol:

Leon Haslam on his way to setting the fastest ever bike lap around Croft.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_7904.jpg

Ben Wilson on a Team Vivaldi Suzuki.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_7872.jpg

Shakey Byrne taking it easy...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_7981.jpg

Gregorio Lavilla, last year's champion. He's not having it all his own way this year though..

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_8015.jpg

Current championship leader, Ryuichi Kiyonari on the HM Plant Honda.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_8050.jpg

And again...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_7875.jpg

Leon Haslam exiting Hawthorn. I really wish they'd find a better colour for those crash barriers, the grey is so boring :lol:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_8032.jpg

Finally, the end of the session and Shane Byrne gets a bit of starting practice in over on the back straight.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geoff.hubbert/Pics/Croft%20BSB%20Quals/IMG_8063.jpg

I'll leave to someone else to cover race day. I decided to give it a miss watch it on TV from the safety of my armchair ;)

[flyingwelshman]

Cool pic of Kiyonari.. Can't beat a wheelie shot!

[KevB]

Quality picture of Kiyo Geoff :D . I managed all three days and got a right soaking today, but it was well worth it to see that second race. Amazing riding in bad conditions.

[Webmonkeyuk]

nice shots, i had the same idea of watching it on tv didnt fancy been soaked lol

[GSH]

Quality picture of Kiyo Geoff :D . I managed all three days and got a right soaking today, but it was well worth it to see that second race. Amazing riding in bad conditions.


I wasn't really worried about the weather, i've got waterproofs for myself and the camera but the thought of trying to get out of the swamp they claim is a car-park put me right off. Yesterday was the busiest qualifying day i've seen at Croftt so today could only be worse.

Even the Bennetts girls weren't enough to persuade me to leave the house today ;)

Thanks for the comments everyone :)

[Simon Harrison]

Really like #6 Geoff. The positioning of the rider in the frame is very good.

What did you think of the Superbikes then? I got within 10 miles of Croft this weekend and that was close enough. More police on the back roads between Northallerton and Scorton then I've ever seen. Mind you, judging by the volume of traffic heading back towards the A1 tonight, there must have been a big crowd in today.

Cheers,

Simon.

[GSH]

Thanks Simon.

What did i think? Hmmm....

Well as i said, i only went on Saturday and it was enough to persuade me that, at least as far as photography goes, Sunday wouldn't be much fun. This obsession with chaining deckchairs to the trackside fencing and not moving all day beats me completely. As for those tent things.... :rolleyes:

Then there's the organisation. I've never seen the Trucks & Caravans so close together. Walking down to Sunny via the tarmac was a nightmare with Mini Motos & Bikes going at silly speeds in a space that was also packed with spectators. The car-park is not my favourite place during major events either and the Stewards were hopeless. Cars were blocking what should have been the central access "road" leaving us with a WRC style approach. When i finally found a space, a Steward popped up from nowhere to direct me in...as if i couldn't manage that after negotiating the whole of the field.

After the incident with the Rizla Suzukis on the recent test you'd think it would have been spot on, but it was a long way from that. I'd give them top marks for the BTCC meeting but i wasn't impressed yesterday.

The bikes were enjoyable though :)

[petrolhead]

Great pics Geoff

[Swaffs]

Great shots as ever,
Love Ben's body position in #2, really going for it

Swaffs

[GSH]

Cheers Chaps :)


Love Ben's body position in #2, really going for it



That shot was taken through one of the infamous holes in the fence. It's a good 6 feet or so above track level but the distance to the track cuts the angle down a bit. About 4 feet lower and 15 feet to the left would make it even better :lol:

[PeteDyer]

Fantastic shots, i really like the 2nd one of Kiyo.
Did you attend Sunday...?

[GSH]

Fantastic shots, i really like the 2nd one of Kiyo.
Did you attend Sunday...?


Thanks :)

I stayed warm & dry on Sunday and watched the Superbikes & BTCC on TV at home :lol: