Mossey holds off Ray by just 0.005s to top Snetterton official test
Luke Mossey held off Bradley Ray by just 0.005s in the final session of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship official test at Snetterton as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider fired in a string of fast laps at the end of the day to hold off his Buildbase Suzuki rival.
Leon Haslam had been the rider to beat in the morning at the Norfolk circuit, but the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider suffered a technical problem midway through the final session and his day ended prematurely, which dropped him to fourth on the timesheets.
Ray had been improving his pace in the afternoon and with less than ten minutes to go, the Donington Park double race winner had moved to within striking distance of Mossey, although at the chequered flag he couldn’t edge ahead.
Michael Laverty was third fastest on the Tyco BMW; he had been sitting at the top of the times earlier in the session but was still within 0.102s of the fastest time of Mossey with Gino Rea completing the top five for OMG Racing Suzuki.
Tarran Mackenzie was the fastest of the McAMS Yamahas in sixth place, the team-mates split by Danny Buchan on the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki in seventh with Josh Brookes holding eighth. Richard Cooper and Sylvain Barrier completed the top ten.
Medical update at 18:00: Shane Byrne was transferred to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital following a crash at Turn 3 (Palmer) this morning. He has undergone further assessment and scans this afternoon. He is conscious and alert but remains under observation and is receiving treatment for neck and back injuries.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton official test, combined times:
1. Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 1m:48.008s
2. Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.005s
3. Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +0.102s
4. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.301s
5. Gino Rea (OMG Racing Suzuki) +0.713s
6. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.880s
7. Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +1.009s
8. Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +1.025s
9. Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.062s
10. Sylvain Barrier (Smiths Racing BMW) +1.459s
The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship take place at Snetterton on June 15/16/17. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com