ePayMe Yamaha’s John Hopkins has set a new outright lap record at Donington Park during the final MCE British Superbike free practice session, after a 1’28.856.
He managed to better the existing fastest lap, which was held by his team manager, Tommy Hill since 2011. Now the American has gone one better than the former BSB champ and leads the charge going into qualifying, after going 0.01 seconds quicker than his boss.
Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne was unable to lap a sub 1’29, but he did come close and was only two tenths off Hopper’s best time. A 1’29.022, meant that the Panigale racer was the fastest of the title challengers.
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Peter Hickman won the accolade of the quickest ZX-10R out on the track, after finishing P3 on the sheets after a 1’29.132 rotation.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Showdown debutant, Luke Mossey was only a tiny 0.006 seconds off the time set by fellow Kawasaki rider, Hickman with home town hero, Leon Haslam completing the top five on the timing-screens with a 1’29.178.
Showdown hopeful, Dan Linfoot, Buildbase BMW’s Richard Cooper, Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran, Bennetts Suzuki’s Tommy Bridewell and Riders Cup challenger, Michael Laverty rounded off the top eleven this morning.
Showdown rider, JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison crashed at the Foggy Esses after fifteen minutes out on track, but was declared OK and walked away from the incident. The Cumbrian did not make it back out on to the circuit as his bike needed too much work.
The fastest rider in yesterday’s free practice session, Christian Iddon crashed unhurt at Goddards and was able to continue to finish the final timed practice eighth fastest.
