Ballygowan's Michael Pearson set the fastest time in Saturday's practice day at the Bishopscourt Racing circuit in Ireland's County Down in preparation for the start of his 2009 Irish racing season.

Riding the ex-Keith Amor Supersport 600 Honda for the first time, Pearson took to the machine like a duck to water, and at times, the circuit resembled a pond after early morning rain coupled with strong winds, made tyre choice a lottery in the difficult conditions.

A best 600 lap time of 1m15.76s, was soon followed up with a 1m15.36s lap on the CF Yamaha Superbike, with Pearson  more than pleased with the start to the season that looked bleak, just a couple of weeks ago.
 
"Today was a really good shake down to be honest. In fact, it turned out better than we had planned. It was a really difficult morning with cold, wind, and rain setting into the circuit just as we had arrived early on Saturday morning, and at one point I was for heading back home," said Pearson.

"I really wanted to get a run out on the 600 as I had never ridden it before, and knew that the Superbike was the same as we left it last year. It was difficult getting the tyre selection right but we went for full Dunlop wets on the 600 which were quite awesome.   

On the Superbike we opted for Dunlop intermediate tyre and with a fast drying track it proved the right choice. I felt really at home on both bikes which should hold me in good stead in the coming weeks and months ahead, but it was a very good exercise today all in all."
 
Pearson's next outing will be on the 28/29th March when he will be a Superbike team member representing Northern Ireland team at Donington Park's Moto6 Nations.