Josh Brookes led an Aussie 1-2 from Jason O’Halloran during first free practice for Round 6 of the 2023 British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch.

The two-time BSB Champion arrives at the Kent venue looking to build on the momentum of a strong weekend last time out at Snetterton.

Brookes, a 19-time race winner at Brands Hatch, stopped the clock at 1m 25.946secs as the only rider to dip below 1m 26s bracket.

He headed up countryman Jason O’Halloran, the McAMS Yamaha rider just under a tenth behind Brookes, while championship leader Tommy Bridewell kicked off with the third best lap having held sway at the top of the timesheets until the closing stages.

Ryan Vickers maintained his recent upturn in form to end the session fourth quickest, ahead of LAMI OMG Yamaha team-mate Kyle Ryde in fifth place, while Glenn Irwin completed the top six on the second of the BeerMonster Ducatis.

Lee Jackson fronted the Kawasaki challenge in seventh on the FS-3 ZX-10RR, while Danny Kent did likewise for Honda on his eponymous Lovell Kent Racing Fireblade. Christian Iddon and top rookie Charlie Nesbitt competed the top ten on their respective Oxford Products Ducati and Hawk Racing Honda machines.

Elsewhere, Liam Delves - racing in place of Hector Barbera at TAG Honda this weekend - brought out the red flag after a fall at Sheene Curve, while Josh Owens was another to come down in the closing stages on his Hawk Honda.