Josh Brookes hit the top of the timesheets with his final lap in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship free practice session at Brands Hatch this morning, edging out Peter Hickman by 0.020s on the Grand Prix circuit.

Peter Hickman and Dan Linfoot both had spells at the top of the times before the pack reshuffled with the pair switching positions before 2015 champion Brookes had the final stamp of authority for the Be Wiser Ducati team.

Scott Redding surged up the order to third fastest in the closing moments on his first visit to the Grand Prix circuit, splitting Hickman and Linfoot at the chequered flag after the 45 minute opening session.

Tarran Mackenzie led the McAMS Yamaha charge in fifth place, holding off Luke Stapleford on the Buildbase Suzuki and Tommy Bridewell on the Oxford Racing Ducati after the first session of the weekend that eventually took place in dry conditions following a brief light spell of rain before the start.

Danny Buchan held seventh place on the leading Kawasaki for FS3-Racing with Jason O'Halloran and Andrew Irwin completing the top ten for the McAMS Yamaha and Honda Racing respectively.

Ryan Vickers returned to action after recovering from his Donington Park injury, but the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team were working to resolve a technical problem so he only completed two laps, as did Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon who completed a single lap.