JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison topped the second MCE British Superbike free practice session at Brands Hatch Indy circuit this afternoon, narrowly edging ahead of title rival, Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari with only 0.024 seconds separating the pair.
Ellison, onboard his ZX-10R, was only three-tenths off lap record pace, after his best time of a 45.700. In a repeat of the opening session it was Kiyo who set the pace, and quickly topped the sheets with an impressive 45.724, but it was a case of déjà vu for the Japanese rider as Ellison and Byrne were setting very similar lap times in the low 46’s and high 45’s.
At the flag Ellison had that added pace to take the accolade of being the quickest rider out on track, followed by Kiyonari with a 45.724, and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes rounding up the top three with his best time – a 45.829. The Bringelly rider quietly started making his way up the timing screens with ten minutes remaining and placed his R1 in fourth overall, going 0.02 seconds slower than Byrne. But Brookes gave his bike one last push to shove past Byrne.
In the meantime Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan was consistently clocking times in the low 46’s and a 45.918 was good enough to edge past Byrne on the sheets to go fourth, meaning the four-times champion Byrne had to settle for fifth quickest. His team-mate Stuart Easton was the last rider on the time-sheets to lap inside the 45 second barrier, with Moto Rapido Ducati’s Jakub Smrz and Smiths BMW’s Billy McConnell not too far off the pace of the wee Scotsman. Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell and Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki’s Richard Cooper completed the top ten.
With three minutes remaining the red flag appeared after a crash involving Robbin Harms and Danny Johnson. Both riders took a tumble at the Cooper Straight, with Johnson taken to the medical centre for checks.
Gearlink Kawasaki’s newest recruitment Michael Rutter made his first appearance for his new team in the FP2 outing. Rutter and RAF Reserves BMW’s Peter Hickman got warnings for exceeding the speed limit in pit lane, and as it was their first offence they won’t receive any further punishment. They both finished the second free practice session 31st and 16th on the sheets respectively.
There was one notable absentee, which was Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot. He had a big crash at Clearways in the opening free practice session and has a suspected fractured wrist.
