Gearlink Kawasaki's Glenn Irwin clinched his first Motorpoint British Supersport pole position in treacherous conditions at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. Fourteen riders went down throughout the 30 minute session, including the pole setter Irwin.
Smiths Triumph's Billy McConnell set an early benchmark before crashing out at Graham Hill Bend whilst trying to increase his advantage over the rest of the field. His Northumbrian team-mate, Graeme Gowland, then hit the front with a lap of 54.485 before Gearlink's Irwin surpassed Gowland to take provisional pole position.
In trying to claim pole back, Gowland hit the deck at Graham Hill Bend, spectacularly high-siding and hurting his wrist in the process. The Allendale rider was sent to the medical centre for further checks. Irwin held on to pole position but crashed out with five minutes remaining, sliding out at Clearways. He was quickly followed in the gravel by his team-mate Luke Hedger.
Irwin and Gowland will be joined on the front row for this afternoon's sprint race by Friday's pace setter Luke Stapleford. Profile Triumph's Stapleford was another rider who succumbed to the conditions, crashing out at Clark Curve.
Luke Jones heads the second row on his Triumph ahead of Luke Hedger and Luke Mossey. Teccare Triumph rider Mossey crashed out at Graham Hill Bend, heavily landing on his right shoulder and looking to be in considerable pain. He has gone to the medical centre for further checks and hopes to fit for the first race of the year.
Power Projects Racing's Alex Olsen fronts the third row on his EVO Triumph, with Paul Curran and CF Motorsport's Callan Cooper rounding out the third row.
Mar-Train Yamaha's Alistair Seeley will start the race from the back of the fifth row in fifteenth and Billy McConnell sixteenth, after the Adelaide crashed out on two occasions during the session.
