Qualifying three
Shane Byrne 1’33.979
Jake Dixon 1’34.109
Glenn Irwin 1’34.237
Shane Byrne destroyed the race lap record as he powered to a 1’33.979s lap to take pole for tomorrow’s first Bennetts British Superbike Championship race.
The Be Wiser Ducati pilot was the only rider to make dip into the 1’33s all day, as he set his best time on his third lap.
Bradley Ray crashed out into the gravel at Lodge, but picked up his Buildbase Suzuki and continued, before being black flagged moments later.
Jake Dixon shot up to second on the RAF Regulars & Reserves Kawasaki with just a couple of minutes to spare on his third lap, his lap of 1’34.109 enough to secure him second on the grid.
Byrne’s team-mate Glenn Irwin was third fastest to round out the front row, while JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam made an attempt at a quick one in the closing moments but he was only able to set the fourth quickest lap with a 1’34.281.
The Smiths BMW team had managed to get Peter Hickman back out after his Q2 crash, but he had time for just one fast lap, setting the eighth fastest lap.
Qualifying two
Shane Byrne – 1’34.152
Jake Dixon – 1’34.242
Leon Haslam – 1’34.340
Shane Byrne ended Q2 fastest, just ahead of Jake Dixon who stuck in a fast lap moments after the chequered flag.
Peter Hickman shot to the top very briefly as the session began and then crashed out seconds later, as the top spot changed hands several times.
Kiyonari, who had just made it through to Q2, saw any chance of a good start vanish as he crashed out at Hislop’s on his first attempt at a fast lap, but walked away unscathed and smiling.
Byrne was in command as the final five minutes got underway, with a compfortable 1’34.152, with 14 of the 18 riders sitting in th 1’34s.
Taylor Mackenzie looked to be on a quick lap on the Moto Rapido Ducati, but despite a fast start he wasn’t able to hold it together and was unable to get any higher than 12th.
Buildbase Suzuki’s Richard Cooper made a last-gasp attempt to break the top eight in the final seconds but was unable to get any higher than 14th, while neither McAMS Yamaha bikes were able to make it through,
Eliminated
Ellison
Buchan
Brookes
Taylor Mackenzie
Cooper
Ryde
Taz Mackenzie
Smrz
Kiyonari
Qualifying one
Jason O’Halloran – 1’34.606
Jake Dixon – 1’34.731
Leon Haslam – 1’34.790
Jason O’Halloran topped the first qualifying session on just his fourth lap as he pipped Jake Dixon and Leon Haslam for the top spot.
Brad Ray shot out of the gates to lead the order with his opening lap, but was soon overtaken by Aussie O’Halloran and RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki’s Dixon.
Glenn Irwin slipped into third to push Ray back further, but was soon pipped by JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam.
Meanwhile, Michael Laverty, James Ellison, O’Halloran and Tommy Bridewell were all slapped with a warning from race control for a slow sector time.
After emerging from a trip to the pits with most of the other riders, Superbike rookie Kyle Ryde jumped up into 16th to slot into Q2, while series returnee and multiple former champion Ryuichi Kiyonari took the final spot in Q2 with seconds to spare.
Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty was among the 10 riders who failed to move to the next qualifying session.
Eliminated
Rea
Barrier
Laverty
Law
Jessopp
Harrison
Winfield
Johnson
Phillips
Cummins