Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari set the pace during the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at Donington Park, but towards the end of the outing he had to contend with a late charge from Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes.
The Japanese rider’s fastest lap of a 1’30.385 in cold conditions was only half a second off lap record pace, and for a time Kiyo had over a second advantage over the rest of the pack. Brookes spent most of his time languishing outside the top ten, but after spending the majority of the session in the pits came out and blitzed most of the grid, with a 1’30.418 just as the chequered flag appeared.
The Australian is still waiting for development parts for his R1, and was still able to set a quick time, going 0.03 seconds slower than Kiyonari. Buildbase BMW’s Lee Jackson was never outside the top five times during the session and was emulating his team-mate with his pace. But Brookes was just too strong for the youngster, and was only two tenths off making it inside a 1’30 time.
With ten minutes left in the opening session Brookes went up to second quickest only to be derailed by young Essex lad, Danny Buchan. But a rotation later Brookes regained his place as second on the sheets, going only 0.2 seconds slower than the triple-champ. At the flag Buchan had to settle for fourth on the sheets, after his best time of a 1’31.291.
Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Howie Mainwaring left it till his final lap to set his best time to place him fifth fastest, edging PBM rider Stuart Easton down to sixth. Reigning champ Shane Byrne was one second slower than his title rival Kiyo and had to settle eighth quickest, with Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison competing the top ten.
There were a few incidences out on the Leicestershire track with some riders succumbing to the cold track conditions. Honda Racing’s Jenny Tinmouth high-sided at Redgate on her out lap. BSB debutant Team WD-40’s Jack Kennedy fell unhurt at the Old Hairpin and the yellow flags came out for a short while. Moto Rapido Ducati’s Jakub Smrz was at the sharp end, but took a tumble at Craner Curves, and was unable to ride his bike back to pit lane bringing a premature end to his free practice outing.
