Reigning Pro Honda Oils Supersport champ Jamie Hacking quickly dispelled any notions that a change of scenery over the offseason would slow him down. The British-born rider stole away the top spot from his Monster Energy Kawasaki teammate Roger Hayden late in the session to score his first ever pole for the Daytona Supersport race.

Hacking’s fast time was a 1:41.801, just edging Hayden’s mark on the second works ZX-6RR of 1:41.868. Third best in the class was Kawasaki’s former two-time series champ, Tommy Hayden, now running with Yoshimura Suzuki. However, Hayden was a considerable distance off the Kawasaki riders ‘41s, clocking in at 1:42.610.

Attack Kawasaki’s Ben Attard made it a very green front row, qualifying fourth at 1:42.800, just ahead of Celtic Racing’s Chaz Davies, Team M4 EMGO Suzuki’s Michael Barnes, Attack Kawasaki’s Steve Rapp and Erion Honda’s Josh Hayes.

Afterwards, Hacking suggested his qualifying duel with his teammate was merely a glimpse of what’s to come. “I knew this kind of battle was going to go on between me and Rog. It’s going to be like this all the way down to the end probably.

“But first things first, and I have to say congratulations to my team. They did a lot of hard work during the winter. Half of the team in there is brand-new just like I am. They not only had to learn their new work environment but also move the factory shop back in-house at Kawasaki, sort out a new bike, and turn around and work through new pieces on the Superbike and all that.

“With that and learning me, it’s basically like starting all over again from scratch. I think we’ve all done a very good job and I’m very glad to be sitting here on my brand-new motorcycle with my brand-new team. It’s just been enjoyable all winter long. We’ve jelled real well and we proved today we’re already comfortable on the motorcycle. There are a few little things I’d like to try, but other than that, she’s ready to go.”

According to Hacking, claiming the Supersport pole at Daytona is a very strong positive indicator. “From what I can think back, most people who have sat on the pole here have won the race. I’m not going to talk this up and jinx myself -- whatever happens, happens. But my guys at Monster Energy Kawasaki have built me a very strong motor and everyone knows here a strong motor wins this race. I’ve got one healthy motor under me right now and I’m going to do all I can to take care of it until we race. Hopefully we can put another one of those #1 trophies from Daytona up on my mantle.”

Hacking, who is celebrating his tenth year on the tour, would consider a Supersport win this weekend a full circle accomplishment. He explained, “I was here ten years ago on a Kawasaki. To be able to come out of here with a win for Kawasaki in the Supersport class would be real cool.”