JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison left it till his final rotation to put down a hot lap to dethrone title challenger, Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes off the top of the MCE British Superbike free practice time-sheets, to set the fastest time of the weekend so far, a 1’47.477.
The Cumbrian went four tenths under the lap record at the 300 track, and edged ahead of the Bringelly rider on the sheets after Brookes put down a respectable 1’47.516.
PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne was the only rider inside the top five that didn’t better his time from Friday, but was still third fastest in the combined times. This morning he was 0.2s slower on his ZX-10R.
Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran was one tenth off a lap inside the 1’47 bracket, but improved significantly on his Fireblade to creep into the top five after a solid 1’48.106.
Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell also jumped up the timing screens and was fifth fastest, which was a vast improvement on yesterday where he failed to make it into the top ten.
Initially on the 25 minute mark Brookes had a technical issue and retreated to the pits, while he was second on the combined time-sheets, but with ten minutes remaining to the session the Australian made his way back on to the track.
At first it was Byrne who topped the sheets, but with five minutes left Brookes was the first rider to better his quickest time from FP2, with a 1’47.510, going 0.1 seconds faster than the time set by Byrne yesterday.
But Ellison was not going to let Byrne and Brookes take all the glory and with twelve seconds remaining put down a 1’47.477.
Moto Rapido Ducati’s Jakub Smrz was at the sharp end during FP3 and started strongly, he also progressed from yesterday’s track activities and finished ninth fastest, ahead of Anvil Hire TAG Racing’s Filip Backlund. The Swede impressed out on the 300 circuit, going from 15th quickest overall to tenth on the combined times.
Some riders did take a tumble in the gravel during the 45 minute session, including Anvil Hire TAG Racing’s Richard Cooper who fell at Bombhole, but was declared OK at the trackside. Team WD-40’s Taylor Mackenzie also crashed, but was unhurt at Palmer.
