Buildbase Suzuki stand-in rider Gino Rea set the Bennetts British Superbike pace this afternoon at Silverstone, going seven-tenths under the lap record to beat points leader Glenn Irwin.
Rea, who moved from the Bike Devil Kawasaki team to sub for the injured Keith Farmer, set a 53.434 to push Honda’s Irwin into second place.
The Irishman had been sitting pretty at the top of the sheets with a 53.607 with Jason ‘O’Halloran putting a late charge for third on the McAMS Yamaha.
Josh Brookes ended the day in fourth place on the VisionTrack Ducati Panigale with a 53.676. The Australian topped first practice this time last year but with a 54.196 which shows how much the pace has dropped in 16 months.
FS-3 Racing’s Lee Jackson secured fifth with a 53.686 whole Kyle Ryde put the second of Steve Hicken’s Suzukis in sixth place with a lap just four-tenths off the pace.
Andrew Irwin ended his day in seventh with a 53.915 and that was enough to keep Tarran Mackenzie at bay. The McAMS Yamaha man finished on a 53.950 and he had Christian Iddon in close attendance. Hector Barbera completed the top ten and was the first BMW home with a 54.031.
Brad Ray brought his Synetiq BMW home in 11th place and six-tenths off the pace but ahead of Tommy Bridewell on the Oxford Products Ducati. Luke Mossey and Joe Francis were the last riders under the existing lap record while Snetterton poleman Danny Buchan is down in 19th place, eight-tenths off the pace.
