Castrol Honda’s Kirk McCarthy will start tomorrow’s ninth round British Supersport championship race at Cadwell Park from pole position after setting the fastest time in today’s two timed qualifying sessions.

Australian McCarthy stunned his rivals with a time of 1m28.875s, almost 1.5 seconds inside the old Cadwell Park lap record and half a second ahead of his nearest rival.

Dean Thomas will start tomorrow’s 17-lap race from second place on the grid with Jim Moodie and Honda-mounted Howard Whitby completing the front row.

"I’m really happy with my times," said McCarthy from Mickleham in Victoria, "and to take pole position is a real bonus." The 30-year-old continued: "The bike is working really well everywhere round here and it’s given me back the confidence I need to close on Moodie in the championship."

Other Aussies in the top are Glen Richards in 7th and Chris Vermeulen in 9th.

Final qualifying times: 
1 Kirk McCarthy (Castrol Honda) 1m28.875s, 
2 Dean Thomas (Ducati) 1:29.328, 
3 Jim Moodie (Yamaha) 1:29.647, 
4 Howard Whitby (Honda) 1:30.323, 
5 Gary Mason (Kawasaki) 1:30.627, 
6 Stuart Wickens (Yamaha) 1:30.799, 
7 Glen Richards ( Honda) 1:30.828, 
8 Steve Brogan (Castrol Honda) 1:30.870, 
9 Chris Vermeulen (Honda) 1:31.222, 
10 Danny Beaumont (Yamaha) 1:31.278.