Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne once again led the way, but this time in the second MCE British Superbike free practice session at Snetterton this afternoon. But the former champion had to fend off the charges from Honda Racing’s development rider Julien Da Costa.
The Frenchman lapped a 1’48.309, just two tenths off the pace of the Kawasaki of Byrne – who was one tenth off his own lap record at the circuit. Millsport Ducati’s Jakub Smrz also made it into the 1’48’s and a last lap dash proved fruitful for the former World Superbike contender, after a 1’48.708.
Not far off the pace of the Czech Republic racer was Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes and GBmoto Kawasaki’s Chris Walker. In the beginning - after ten minutes of the final session of the day Byrne was heading the charge with a 1’48.181, with Smrz, Brookes, and Ellison hot on his heels. But less than 25 minutes towards the end Da Costa went second fastest after posting a 1’48.309.
Brookes was also able to edge ahead of Smrz, with Kiyo joining the mix – five minutes towards the end. The Japanese rider set a 1’49.460 to place his Buildbase backed BMW fifth quickest overall. But from out of the mid pack, Walker catapulted himself to fourth on the timesheets, just two tenths off the pace of Brookes.
But the housewives favourite was quickly ousted by Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland who did a 1’49.033 to go into the fourth spot on the timing-screens. As the chequered flag came out both Smrz, Brookes and Walker improved on their lap times, to push Westmoreland back down to sixth. Ellison, Bridewell, Muff and Kiyo round off the top ten.
