MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship leader Shane 'Shakey' Byrne started his weekend strongly by topping the opening free practice session on the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ahead of Karl Harris on the Quattro Plant Kawasaki in drying conditions.

The track continued to dry and the times tumbled towards the end of the session with Byrne going fastest in the final four minutes to move ahead of his rivals. Harris had moved up the order in the closing stages but managed to remain ahead of title contender Alex Lowes on the WFR Honda in the final minute with James Westmoreland fourth after leading in the opening part of the session.

Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki's Chris Walker was fifth ahead of Josh Brookes who was nudged down the order in the closing minutes with Tommy Hill seventh ahead of Supersonic BMW's Tommy Bridewell. It was a disastrous start for Michael Laverty as he ended the session 26th on the Samsung Honda.


MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, free practice one:

Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
Karl Harris (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.934s
Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +0.936s
James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +1.339s
Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +1.438s
Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.490s
Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +1.680s
Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +1.849s
Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha) +2.565s
Peter Hickman (Buildbase BMW) +2.691s

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