Croft British Superbikes: Dental dilemma for Shane Byrne

Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne will start from third on the grid for tomorrow’s British Superbike races despite carrying injuries picked up in yesterday’s crash and losing his replacement teeth during qualifying.

Byrne knocked his front teeth out when he highsided exiting the Esses in yesterday’s second free practice session.

And although he had a set of replacements fitted ready for today, the 2003 BSB Champion also lost them during this afternoon’s Swan Combi Roll for Poll F1-style qualifying session.

He said: “I was hoping to go a bit quicker today but I am happy enough with that.

“I had quite an unusual moment early on in the session, when the teeth that I had fixed back in following my crash yesterday came out in my mouth!

“I went out and had done 2 or 3 laps when I had to come back into the pit lane and hand some of my teeth to my slightly surprised mechanic! Other than that I am feeling ok,

“I have bit of a bruise on the shoulder and leg from yesterday but nothing too serious and I am confident for a good performance for Airwaves Ducati tomorrow.”

Byrne’s team-mate Leon Camier made some serious strides today, knocking a second off his times yesterday despite not going out in this morning’s damp FP3 session.

The 22-year old said he has his fingers crossed for tomorrow that it stays dry and he can make similar improvements for the race.

“I am alright with 6th place; I knocked nearly a second off my times from yesterday so I am pretty happy with that.

“My race pace is good and I have been fairly consistent on the Airwaves Ducati today.

“I am hoping its dry tomorrow so I can concentrate on getting a good start and overtaking well; my aim is to get back on the podium for the Airwaves Ducati team.”