McAMS Yamaha’s Tarran Mackenzie set the benchmark for his Bennetts British Superbike Championship title rivals after the opening free practice sessions as the top three riders dipped under the existing lap record at Donington Park.
Mackenzie secured the top position as the final ten minutes of the session counted down, surging ahead of Bradley Ray, who was setting the pace before the final flurry of fast laps at the end of the session.
“I am usually a slow burner on the first day and so I didn’t expect to top the sessions! I think it’s the first time I’ve probably ever topped a free practice session on a Friday, so to be in that position coming into the weekend, is really good. I think we’ll be ready for tomorrow and in any condition - I can’t wait,” he said.
Christian Iddon held on to second position after the opening day on track; the VisionTrack Ducati rider moving just 0.121s adrift on his penultimate lap of the day, after the session was briefly red flagged after separate crashes from Andrew Irwin and Gino Rea at Craner Curves.
Danny Buchan was third fastest after topping the earlier session for the SYNETIQ BMW team, just ahead of Jason O’Halloran, who is ready to fight back to overhaul his McAMS Yamaha teammate at the top of the standings.
Ray dropped to fifth place at the chequered flag, with the Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW rider and Lee Jackson splitting the Title Fighters on the times.
Peter Hickman overcame his small crash this morning to finish in seventh position for the FHO Racing BMW team, just ahead of reigning champion Josh Brookes on the second of the VisionTrack Ducatis.
Rory Skinner and Title Fighter Glenn Irwin completed the top ten, marginally ahead of Andrew Irwin and Tommy Bridewell, who complete the riders who will progress directly into tomorrow’s Q2 grid decider.
