McAMS Yamaha's Josh Brookes got his Silverstone Bennetts British Superbike weekend off to the best possible starting, snatching top spot on the free practice one timesheet with his last lap of the hour-long session.

Brookes, along with the rest of the field, had to learn the short national circuit which is being used this weekend and ended with a 54.395s lap to lead team-mate Tarran Mackenzie 0.061s with Andrew Irwin third, almost two-tenths further back.

Anvil TAG Yamaha's James Ellison had been leading until the final couple of minutes but he slipped back to fourth after posting a best lap of 54.687 which means the R1 contingent should be strong at the Northamptonshire track.

Richard Cooper bounced back from a crash at Becketts to finish in fifth place, one ahead of the Moto Rapido Ducati of Tommy Bridewell who ended on a 54.693.

Tyco BMW's Michael Laverty was seventh, one ahead of Bradley Ray with Showdown contender Glenn Irwin and Peter Hickman propping up the top ten.

Gino Rea bagged 11th place, one ahead of Danny Buchan who is in contention for a Showdown spot.The returning Dan Linfoot took 13th with current series runner-up Jake Dixon in 14th and Luke Mossey 15th.

Christian Iddon set the early pace on his Tyco BMW but slipped back to 16th. Mason Law pipped Jason O'Halloran to 17th place while series leader Leon Haslam escaped a massive highside unscathed to end in 19th.

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