Josh Brookes set the pace in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship free practice at Donington Park this morning, edging the VisionTrack Ducati to the top of the times by 0.241s in the closing minutes of the session.
Brookes was the only rider to dip into the 1m:29s lap times on his final run which put him ahead of Honda Racing’s Glenn and Andrew Irwin, who had been top of the times until the final two minutes of a dry but cool session on the Grand Prix circuit.
Christian Iddon had moved up the order in the final ten minutes, firing the second of the VisionTrack Ducatis into fourth place, just 0.006s ahead of Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW’s Héctor Barberá who had a strong end to his session.
Tommy Bridewell had a positive start to his weekend in sixth place, the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team maintaining their position ahead of the leading Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki of Lee Jackson, who narrowly held an advantage over teammate Danny Buchan.
0.9s covered the top 12 riders and completing the top ten was Oulton Park double race winner Jason O'Halloran, who held off Kyle Rude as the Buildbase Suzuki rider completed the top ten.
Markus Reiterberger made his debut with the Global Robots BMW team; the German rider ending his opening session in 17th position as he got his first taste of the BSB specification BMW.
This morning’s weather forecast indicates potentially disruptive conditions throughout tomorrow (Saturday), and accordingly today’s schedule now incorporates a second free practice session which takes place this afternoon.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Free Practice one result:
- Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 1m:29.768s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.241s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.276s
- Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.329s
- Héctor Barberá (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.442s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.448s
- Lee Jackson (Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.462s
- Danny Buchan (Rapid Fulfillment FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.515s
- Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.656s
- Kyle Ryde (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.909s