Superpole
Shane Byrne - 1’46.024
James Ellison - 1’46.561
Jason O’Halloran - 1’47.106
Be Wiser Ducati’s Shane Byrne smashed the previous MCE British Superbike fastest lap record at Snetterton by eight tenths of a second to set a new outright lap record at the track.
The Panigale rider rode a phenomenal 1’46.024 and blitzed the rest of the field during the first Superpole outing of the year. It was an incredible achievement as at first it looked as if McAMS Yamaha’s James Ellison would take pole.
The Cumbrian put down a super quick 1’46.561 and that time also went under the original outright record which was set by Josh Brookes back in 2015. But Byrne went five tenths faster and pushed Ellison down to second, but the R1 rider remained on the front row.
Completing row number one was last year’s race winner, Honda’s Jason O’Halloran. The Australian found pace on the Fireblade and his one lap dash was just shy off a sub 1’46 time, but he could rest easy as he had already done enough to secure third on the starting grid.
JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam made a return to action this weekend, after missing the races at Knockhill due to injury. But he was back at the 300 track and looked as if he would end up on the front row, but was demoted by the top three.
The Smalley rider heads row two and is joined by RAF Reserves Kawasaki’s Jake Dixon and Haslam’s JG Speedfit garage buddy, Luke Mossey. Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha’s Josh Brookes will start row three alongside, Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and former World Superbike star, Jakub Smrz.
Qualifying two
Shane Byrne - 1’46.863
Jake Dixon - 1’47.276
Josh Brookes - 1’47.335
Byrne pulled out a crazily fast lap of a 1’46.863 and was only 0.002 seconds off the outright lap record. Dixon was another rider who had a strong outing and set a low 1’47, with Brookes completing the top three on the timing-screens.
It was heartbreak for the Moto Rapido Ducati team as John Hopkins suffered a technical problem with his Panigale and came to a stop at Murrays. In the first qualifying outing the former MotoGP star was in a provisional front row spot, but will have to start race one from P18.
But it was drama in the final seconds of Q2 as Smiths Racing’s Peter Hickman was on a hot lap and was looking to edge Mossey out of Superpole, but he was 0.079 seconds slower than the championship leader.
Bradley Ray had a strong session and at one point was inside the top nine, but was bumped down by Haslam and Hickman. But he will start the opening race from eleventh. Joining the tall rookie in the drop zone and out of contention for a chance to fight for pole was McConnell, Laverty, Guintoli, Jackson, Bridewell and Westmoreland.
Eliminated
Hickman
Ray
McConnell
Laverty
Guintoli
Jackson
Bridewell
Westmoreland
Hopkins
Qualifying one
Shane Byrne 1’47.457
Josh Brookes 1’47.599
John Hopkins 1’47.760
Byrne only did one flying lap, and that was enough for the Ducati rider as he clocked a 1’47.457 to go P1. Brookes was also on a good pace and was only 0.1s shy of going into the provisional pole position spot.
Hopkins and his team have found something that worked with his Panigale and it certainly paid off in Q1, as he went third quickest with a 1’47.760.
BSB debutant Andy Reid crashed at Murrays and he was unhurt. The Northern Irishman had his first taste of a Superbike on Friday and he is venturing into his maiden British Superbike race on Sunday.
His Tyco BMW team-mate for this weekend is Josh Elliott. The Stock 1000 racer in riding in place of the crocked Christian Iddon. Both S1000RR lads found themselves in the drop zone, but the pair did improve their pace from the earlier free practice sessions. Elliott did try a last lap dash, but was unfortunately three tenths off.
Bennetts Suzuki’s Taylor McKenzie also stopped with a technical issue at Palmers whilst in the drop zone, and he failed to progress into Q2. Joining the youngster in the elimination spots were Jessopp, Zanotti and Winfield.
Eliminated
Jessopp
Elliott
Zanotti
Reid
Mackenzie
Winfield
