FHO Racing’s Peter Hickman sat firmly at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike times as free practice one played out at Brands Hatch on Friday afternoon.
The BMW man took control after the initial flurry of laps, holding court throughout the 40-minute session as he repeatedly renewed the time to beat before setting the fatest of the day so far, a 1’25.841.
Donington winner Gino Rea and Danny Buchan rounded out the top three after the first session, ahead of the gaggle of title fighters behind.
Rory Skinner led the way as Friday’s opening action initially fired up at the Hatch, the FS-3 Kawasaki rider setting a 1’28.154 on his first lunchtime effort, before Andrew Irwin took over almost a second clear. The Northern Irishman’s elder brother joined him at the top, half a second adrift on the Honda shortly after, as the times began to tumble.
Hickman was in charge thanks to a 1’26.109 after eight minutes on track, Tommy Bridewell the first of the title challengers sitting second from Irwin and the newly-married Josh Brookes.
McAms Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie began his BSB Championship challenge from fifth, one-second down on Hickman’s current best, before Christian Iddon joined the party in third and both Yamaha’s advanced to better him next time around.
Hickman and Rea were both benched for 40 seconds in pit lane after early shortcuts in the opening stages.
Luke Mossey returned to the BSB fray onboard the Tag Honda CBR1000RR-R ahead of his full-time ride next season. The 29-year-old circulating in 16th at the halfway point behind fellow Fireblade of Glenn Irwin.
Hickman improved his benchmark with a 1’26.069 as Bridewell and Brookes remained in touch as the second half unfolded. Lee Jackson advanced to fourth, three-tenths back from the BMW before Mackenzie bettered for the position once again.
The second R1 of Jason O’Halloran sat sixth as the final six minutes counted down, just half a second covering the top seven, to Iddon, in the closing stages.
It was all change in the final three minutes as the BMW’s of Buchan and Bradley Ray arrived to second and fifth respectively. Suzuki’s Rea bettering them both as the chequered flag came out, to capture second, just 0.063s from Hickman’s eventual target time of 1’25.841.
