McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie believes his hopes of securing pole could’ve been hit by his own qualifying strategy in this afternoon’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship qualifying.

Mackenzie ended the day second, 0.109secs behind Be Wiser Ducati’s Scott Redding, but believes had he exited pit lane earlier, he may have been able to bang in a quick one before the red flag came out to deal with Pete Hickman’s stricken Smith’s BMW.

“I always go out late out of pit lane and it probably didn’t pay of that well because I didn't get my first lap in,” he said. “I felt like it was a strong lap but unfortunately it didn’t happen because of the red flag. 

“It was hard because you had to go back in, compose yourself and go back out.  We made a good step from FP3 to qualifying and was probably on for a better lap when it got red flagged so I was a little bit gutted.”

Mackenzie’s lap of 1’47.432 was still enough to give him the second quickest time of the session, and now he is hopeful of giving Redding a run for his money tomorrow.

“That second lap wasn’t my fastest but it was enough to put me on the front row so I can’t complain about that.

“I’m feeling good for tomorrow, the weather looks more settled which is good. Scott has been solid all weekend so if I can stick with him tomorrow I will be more than happy.”