Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty has blitzed the second British Superbike free practice session at Snetterton this afternoon, swapping laptimes with reigning champion Tommy Hill before finally seizing top spot by three-tenths of a second with his final lap.
Laverty, who spent two days testing at Cadwell Park midweek to fine-tune his steering geometry, lapped in 1'49.340 with Hill on a 1'49.652 in session that was red-flagged twice - the first time when Alastair Seeley turned his Tyco Suzuki into a fireball at Riches and the second when Tom Tunstall's Panigale blew up.
Seeley walked away from his crash but the bike was destroyed and Tunstall will have to burn the midnight oil to get a spare engine into the Doodson-backed Ducati after it dropped oil from the final chicane up to his pit garage.
Shane Byrne occupies third on the grid just ahead of Ian Lowry's Padgett's Honda. The Irishman has bettered his time from this morning by two-tenths and is chased by Alex Lowes on the WFR Honda who lapped in 1'49.296.
Josh Brookes was suffering from chatter in the morning session but came back to set the sixth fastest time and the last man to break the 1'50s barrier. Veteran Chris Walker was seventh with Graeme Gowland eighth, Patrick Muff - who also crashed unhurt - in ninth and Luca Scassa rounds out the top ten.
Click here for times
