Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes left it until his final rotation to lap at an impressive 1’26.594, going 0.060s under the existing lap record during the second MCE British Superbike free practice session at Cadwell Park this afternoon.
He was the first rider of the weekend to lap inside the 1’26s, and went nearly one second quicker than his previous time that he set in FP1. In a repeat of the first free practice outing, Brookes had Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan in hot pursuit and was matching, and even going quicker, than the R1 at times.
But at the flag the Australian’s pace was just too fast for the reigning Pirelli National Superstock 1000 champ and Buchan had to settle for a respectable second fastest.
The ZX-10R rider was only 0.009s off a 1’26 rotation, and was five tenths off the best lap clocked by Brookes. But he did out-pace the Milwaukee man during the dying minutes of the session, but Brookes pulled the pin to soar to the top of the sheets once again.
Bennetts Suzuki’s Christian Iddon had a super quick free practice session and was able to put down a 1’27.535 to go third quickest, followed by JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Westmoreland who completed the top four.
Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty crashed unhurt at Park Corner with twenty minutes remaining, while in P3, but when the chequered flag appeared slipped back to fifth.
Moto Rapido Ducati’s John Hopkins improved from his opening free practice time to go P6, with a 1’27.715, with Bridewell, McConnell, local lad Peter Hickman and PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne completing the top ten once again.
Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari stopped at Park with a technical problem in the final quarter of the session, and fell back to sixteenth quickest overall.
There were a few notable absentees today. Milwaukee Yamaha, Team WD-40, JG Speedfit and PBM Kawasaki were all running one rider teams.
Taylor Mackenzie was missing from FP2 on medical grounds, and is in hospital with suspected appendicitis. Broc Parkes is on World Endurance duty, and Showdown contenders; Stuart Easton, James Ellison and Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran all nursing injuries from previous rounds.
