PBM Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne remained at the top of the MCE British Superbike free practice timesheets at Oulton Park, after heavy rain showers prevented the rest of the grid going faster than the reigning champ’s best time from FP1 – a 1’35.379.
Tyco BMW’s Tommy Bridewell and Buildbase BMW’s Ryuichi Kiyonari also stayed in second and third on the sheets after they were unable to better their times in the wet second free practice session, and were not in a position to topple Byrne from the top of the timing screens.
Bridewell did set the third quickest time in FP2 and was one of only three riders to lap inside the 1’53’s with a 1’53.931. The fastest rider in the wet was Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes, with a 1’53.314. Quattro Plant Kawasaki’s Howie Mainwaring was second on the FP sheets in the rain.
The top five also stayed the same with PBM Kawasaki’s Stuart Easton and JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison still allocating those positions. Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran and Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes remained in sixth and seventh respectively.
All the riders braved the wet conditions in the second free practice outing, but the top ten also didn’t change with Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan and Team WD-40’s Jack Kennedy rounding off the top ten on the overall BSB timesheets.
Some riders did succumb to the wet conditions. The first to take a tumble was Milwaukee Yamaha’s Broc Parkes at Hizzys, but was declared OK at the trackside. Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty also fell in the same spot, minutes earlier, and was also unhurt. Both ventured back out on to the circuit to complete the session. Smiths BMW’S Billy McConnell also took a tumble at Old Hall, and was uninjured.
The red flags did come out for a short time after ten minutes of the FP2 session after a crash involving Rhalf Lo Turco. The Brazilian was taken to the medical centre for further assessment. Seven minutes from the end the red flags appeared once again. This time because of a crash from RAF Reserves BMW’s Peter Hickman at Druids. He was also taken to the medical centre, and has sustained a posterior rib fracture and will be reviewed again.
