The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship triple-header weekend kicked off with an official test at Brands Hatch this afternoon, with a frantic 30 minute session ahead of tomorrow's qualifying and opening BSB race on the Grand Prix circuit.

The test session, held on the Indy circuit this afternoon, was led by local hero Tommy Hill and the Swan Yamaha team, ahead of Mirrror.co.uk BSB Evo rider Graeme Gowland who moved up to second in the final minute of the session. HM Plant Honda's Shane 'Shakey' Byrne was third fastest ahead of the second Swan Yamaha of Michael Laverty who was nudged down the order in the closing stages.


Hill said:

"It's a great start to the weekend to have been fastest in the official test but tomorrow is going to be all change and that is where the real fight starts. We have used the session today to ensure that everything is running right and I am feeling pretty good and ready for qualifying and the first race. Tomorrow with practice, qualifying and races it is going to be a big day for everyone and there is no doubting that it is going to be close out there but we are going to be aiming for those important Podium Credits in the first race."

The Relentless Suzuki by TAS team spent the session consistently inside the top five with Josh Brookes remaining ahead of Kawasaki World Superbike Championship rider Joan Lascorz who rounded out the top six on his return to the Kent circuit.

Chris Walker moved inside the top ten in the final minutes of the session in seventh with the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team of Michael Rutter and Martin Jessopp running eighth and ninth. Gary Mason on the MSS Colchester Kawasaki was another rider to drop down the order in the closing stages to complete the top ten.

The session was red flagged with 12 minutes remaining when James Hillier crashed at Mclaren and he was bruised in the fall.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, official test:

Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 45.981s
Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +0.126s
Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +0.136s
Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.154s
Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.340s
Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki WSB) +0.417s
Chris Walker (Pr1mo Racing Kawasaki) +0.438s
Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +0.520s
Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +0.527s
Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +0.613s

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