Samsung Suzuki's John Hopkins has closed the gap on this morning's British Superbike free practice leader Tommy Hill but the Swan Yamaha man is still more than half a second faster than the American with Michael Laverty another two tenths back in third.
Hill lapped in 1'29.161 compared to Hopkins' 1'29.699 with Laverty on a 1'29.600. HM Plant Honda's Shane Byrne is a second off the pace in fourth just ahead of John Kirkham who has upped hi space from this morning but slipped a couple of places.
Relentless Suzuki's Josh Brookes crashed unhurt at Redgate right at the end of the session but still kept hold of sixth just ahead of Graeme Gowland, the first of the Evo bikes in sevehth. Peter Hickman has entered the fray this afternoon in eighth with Barry Burrell taking the second Evo spot just ahead of Glen Richards in tenth.
Pentagon sceptic James Ellison is in 11th ahead of Gary Mason on the 2012-spec ZX-10R with Chris Walker, Ian Lowry and Alex Lowes rounding out the top 15.
