Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill has continued his form from yesterday at Brands Hatch, topping the first free practice timesheet of the day but the Lingfield man was pushed hard by American John Hopkins who was only two-tenths off the pace.
Hill went round in 1'26.319, which is a little over half a second off Gregorio Lavilla's lap record, while Hopkins pushed his Samsung Suzuki to a 1'26.514. HM Plant Honda's Shane Byrne went third quickest after breaking a water pump washer after two laps, getting a meatball flag but just making it back to the pits for a change. He did half as many laps as Hopkins to set his time.
Team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari put in a late lap to go fourth quickest, just deposing Michael Laverty from a theoretical front row. The Toomebridge man is seven-tenths off the pace and only just ahead of Martin Jessopp's Rapid Ducati in sixth. Josh Brookes went seventh fastest ahead of veteran Michael Rutter.
WFR Honda man Graeme Gowland is ninth and the fastest Evo bike while James Ellison's Sorrymate Honda rounded out the top ten. Gary Mason is 11th and a second off the pace with Alex Lowes, Ian Lowry, James Westmoreland and World Superbike regular Joan Lascorz completing the top 15. Glen Richards was the second Evo rider in 17th overall and Glenn Allerton third (19).
