Bennetts British Superbike series leader Jason O’Halloran topped the opening free practice session at Donington Park this afternoon but was pushed hard by Glenn Irwin, who was only 0.033s slower than the Australian.
O’Halloran set a 1’06.446 on the national circuit to grab the laurels but Honda’s Irwin put in a 1’06.479 with Lee Jackson third, a tenth in arrears.
Reigning champion Josh Brookes has started this weekend better, finishing with a half-second deficit on a Panigale V4R that no longer sports the number one plate.
Reigning champion Josh Brookes has started this weekend better, finishing with a half-second deficit on a Panigale V4R that no longer sports the number one plate.
O’Halloran set the initial benchmark and as the times continued to tumble, Irwin was closing in as the Honda Racing rider bids to repeat the team’s winning success of last season on the National circuit.
Jackson had a strong end to the session, he moved into third place just ahead of the chequered flag for the FS-3 Kawasaki team, easing Peter Hickman back into fourth. The top four positions were held by four different teams and as many different manufacturers.
Danny Buchan completed the top five for the SYNETIQ BMW team, finishing the session 0.012s ahead of VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon and the resurgent Brookes.
Ryan Vickers posted the eighth fastest time on the RAF Regular and Reserve Kawasaki, holding off BMW contenders Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) and Xavi Forés (FHO Racing BMW), to nudge Tarran Mackenzie just outside the top ten.
Rory Skinner, Gino Rea, Kyle Ryde and Tommy Bridewell completed the top 15, with less than a second covering them from the pace-setting lap ahead of SUPERPICKS Free Practice 2 this afternoon.
