Samsung Suzuki's John Hopkins just edged out the Swan Yamaha of Tommy Hill in this afternoon's second British Superbike free practice session at Oulton Park with Gary Mason chasing hard and only half a second off the Lingfield man's pace.
Hill and Hopkins swapped fastest laps with increasing frequency as the 50 minutes wore on, replicating this morning's form but Hopkins' last lap of 1'35.446 is right on qualifying pace. Mason's early form was enough to secure third but the MSS Colchster Kawasaki man banged in a 1'36.250 right at the end to ensure he wasn't bested by Michael Laverty on the second Swan bike.
Relentless Suzuki's Josh Brookes also put in a fast early lap of 1'36.540 to take fifth but he more than a second slower than Hopkins on a similar bike. HM Plant Honda's Shane Byrne took sixth on a 1'35.650 with Michael Rutter seventh a tenth further back.
James Ellison increased his pace from this morning but Sorrymate Honda man slipped down the sheets to eighth while Ryuichi Kiyonari, on the second HM Plant bike, is ninth. Ian Lowry, who has found some form at the Cheshire track, rounds out the top ten.
Primo Kawasaki man Chris Walker is 11th with Peter Hickman one place behind him. Glen Richards is the first of the Evo class bikes in 15th but Scott Smart is only one place behind with Graeme Gowland third (19th).
Jon Kirkham had an off at Island Bend early on in the session after four laps, ending the session in 21st while the returning Karl Harris, who crashed this morning, could only muster 28th.
