PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne topped the MCE British Superbike timesheets in the opening free practice session at Knockhill, but his team-mate Stuart Easton was never far off the pace of the reigning champ but had to settle for second fastest this morning.
Byrne was only two tenths off his own lap record pace, with a 48.487, with Easton setting a 48.765. Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes left it quite late to make an impact on the timesheets, but in the final minutes of the session the Bringelly rider went up to third quickest, a tenth slower than local rider Easton.
Quattro Kawasaki’s Luke Mossey was never outside the top five throughout FP1 and ended the outing fourth fastest on a 48.808, as Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty rounded out the top five, with a respectable 48.882.
There were a few incidences on the Scottish track, including Buildbase BMW’s Lee Jackson who fell at Chicane, but was declared OK at the trackside. Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell was riding high inside the top five, until he crashed unhurt at Clark’s.
Local lad, Team WD-40’s Taylor Mackenzie, suffered a technical issue at Clark’s bringing his free practice session to an abrupt halt. Smith's BMW’s Billy McConnell also took a tumble, uninjured at Scotsman, with ten minutes remaining. Bennetts Suzuki’s Christian Iddon, JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison, Mainwaring, Kiyonari and Hickman completed the top ten.
But FP1 was red flagged after fifteen minutes, because of a crash involving Morello Racing’s Lee Costello at turn four, and he was taken to the medical centre for further assessment.
