Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari set the pace in the opening MCE British Superbike free practice session at the Brands Hatch Indy circuit this morning. The Japanese rider was never outside the top three fastest times and was quicker the Kawasakis of PBM’s Shane Byrne and James Ellison on the JG Speedfit ZX-10R.
Kiyo’s best lap of a 46.113 was nearly half a second off lap record pace, and at the flag was 0.03 seconds quicker than Byrne. It appeared that King Kiyo wanted to make up for the lost track time he experienced after crashing in the final race at Donington two weeks ago, as he completed more laps than any other rider out on track today during FP1.
Ellison had a strong outing on his machine and even though he dipped mid way through the first FP of the day, he climbed back to third fastest with a 46.312 rotation. But it was Kiyo who set the pace in the early stages of the session, and after 15 minutes out on track clocked the quickest time a 46.282, with Ellison and Byrne in hot pursuit.
With 20 minutes remaining, Jakub Smrz soared up the timing screens bumping Ellison down to fourth fastest, but in the end the Cumbrian and Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan were too strong, and the Moto Rapido rider ended the session rounding out he top five.
With three minutes till the chequered flag appeared at the side of the Indy circuit, Buchan came out of no where to set the third quickest time – a 46.324 on his 32nd lap, but the youngster had a warning for exceeding the speed limit in pit lane, and as it was his first offence he didn’t receive any further punishment, and ended the morning fourth quickest.
There were a few crashes in the opening free practice session at the Kent circuit. Notable fallers included Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and Buildbase BMW’s Lee Jackson – both at Clearways. Jackson was declared OK at the trackside, but the red flag had to come out so that his BMW could be recovered and returned to the pits. Just as the session was called to a halt, Linfoot fell and even though he was able to get back on to his feet, it appeared that he had sustained a suspected fractured wrist, and was taken to the medical centre to be assessed.
Smiths BMW’s Billy McConnell was also able to make a challenge on the time-sheets and was lapping consistently in the mid 46’s to go fourth fastest with a handful of minutes left to the first free practice. But in the end fell in ninth, just behind Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes, Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran and Howie Mainwaring. Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell completed the top ten.
