GBmoto Kawasaki’s James Ellison edged ahead of Rapid Solicitors Shane Byrne, and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes to head the first MCE British Superbike free practice session at the Brands Hatch GP circuit this morning.
At the start of the outing there were damp patches out on track at turns one, two and ten with Brookes setting the pace on the 34 minute mark – after a 1’27.643, with Ellison and Buildbase BMW's Ryuichi Kiyonari two tenth behind.
SBKcity Kawasaki’s Rhalf Lo Turco crashed at Westfield but was declared OK at the trackside, while 26th on the timesheets. Then with 20 minutes remaining Byrne edged ahead of the Aussie rider – with a 1’27.379.
Elsewhere Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Waters had a technical problem at Surtees, which put an end to his free practice campaign. But with three minutes remaining Ellison was the first rider to lap inside the 1’26 bracket, to go ahead of Byrne after a 1’26.978 on the sheets.
At the flag it was Ellison who led the charge followed by Byrne on a 1’27.363 - and Brookes a tenth off the pace of the triple champ. GBmoto Kawasaki's Walker and Kiyonari completed the top five, followed by a rejuvenated Tyco Suzuki’s John Hopkins and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Tommy Bridewell.
Making a return to the BSB fold was Anvil Hire Tag Racing’s stand-in rider, Gary Mason. The veteran of the sport ended the morning in a respectable 16th. Lee Jackson made his debut on the Superbike for the Buildbase BMW team, riding in the seat of the crocked James Westmoreland. The Pirelli National Superstock 1000 regular ended his first time out on the BMW, 24th on the timesheets.
