CARL Fogarty was today attempting to cope with an unusual phenomenon in preparation for tomorrow's blockbuster at Brands Hatch - the heat of the British summer.

Track temperatures in yesterday's qualifying sessions reached an amazing 41C - 105F - and tomorrow's forecast is for more hot weather.

And that will play a huge part in correct tyre selection for the two races in round nine of the World Superbike Championship, which Fogarty leads by 49 points.

The riders also used the first two sessions to get used to the new angle of the Graham Hill bend, which now has an improved and safer run-off area.

Fogarty finished the afternoon as provisional seventh fastest behind Pierfrancesco Chili.

But that did not worry the triple world champ, who spent the morning free practice and afternoon timed session on the all-important bike set-up.

He said: "I didn't go for a fast lap time because I want to work really hard on setting the bike up.

"I'm working on tyres and rear suspension set-up and today will test the 16.5 inch rear tyre.

"I have no problem with the new curve."

Provisional qualifying times: 1 Chili (ITA-Suzuki) 1'27.553, 2 Yanagawa (JPN-Kawasaki) 1'27.918, 3 Corser (AUS-Ducati Performance) 1'27.973, 4 Slight (NZL-Honda) 1'28.064, 5 Edwards (USA-Honda) 1'28.143, 6 Reynolds (GBR-Ducati Reve Racing Red Bull) 1'28.177, 7 Fogarty (GBR-Ducati Performance) 1'28.202, 8 Emmett (GBR- Ducati Reve Racing Red Bull) 1'28.205, 9 Mackenzie (GBR-Yamaha) 1'28.412, 10 Walker (GBR-.Kawasaki) 1'28.460 17 Meklau (AUT-Ducati Deutschland Team Remus) 1'29.628

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.