Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa, Joshua Raymond, Jr., and Eli Banish qualified sixth, 15th, and 17th, respectively, in British Talent Cup Friday at Brands Hatch.
More, from a press release issued by MSVR:
Irwin fires to the top of incredibly close Free Practice at Brands Hatch
Glenn Irwin fired the Hager PBM Ducati to the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Free Practice times, saving his best for last in a hectic final lap to top the times by just 0.131s as five manufacturers featured inside the top six ahead of tomorrow’s opening race at Brands Hatch.
The competition was fierce in Free Practice and after the opening session the top 13 riders were covered by just 0.895s, but that intensified further in the afternoon with just 0.993s separating the top 17 contenders.
Irwin’s flying lap wasn’t without moments including touching the grass at Stirlings, but he managed to hold off his nemesis Tommy Bridewell as the pair prepare to go head-to-head on the Grand Prix circuit tomorrow for the first time since their epic title fight last October.
Ryan Vickers had topped the morning session and the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider claimed third place, just 0.013s ahead of Leon Haslam for the ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team with Danny Kent completing the top five.
Jason O’Halloran made it five manufacturers inside the top six on the Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki with Andrew Irwin making it two Honda Racing UK contenders in the top eight.
Christian Iddon and Lee Jackson were separated by just 0.003s as Josh Brookes and Peter Hickman held tenth and eleventh positions. Charlie Nesbitt claimed the final position of the riders who progress directly into Speedy Hire Qualifying 2 tomorrow.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, combined Free Practice times:
- Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 1m:25.853s
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.131s
- Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +0.144s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) +0.157s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +0.228s
- Jason O’Halloran (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +0.336s
- Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.352s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.363s
- Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) +0.366s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) +0.457s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad Team) +0.457s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +0.536s
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Glenn Irwin
Hager PBM Ducati
“It has been a good day and lovely to be back at Brands Hatch as it is a place I have a lot of special memories at. It wasn’t long ago we took part in one of the best days of my racing career and the atmosphere at the finale and winning races last year was fantastic.
“There has been a lot of work done by the boys today; we were not far off in the first session but I wasn’t happy with the feeling. They worked hard before FP2 and immediately we had a better feeling at the start of the session.
“We had a little go on the final run and I ran really wide at turn two and I thought ‘flip sake this is your last lap Glenn just get your finger out’ and then the green light came on after Graham Hill so I thought let’s have a bit of a go.
“It was all going so good and then I got Stirling the best I have got it in terms of entry and apex, but was a bit greedy on the gas and I was onto the grass on the exit and having to roll off so I was really surprised to be fastest.
“I always like taking part in event when there are such small margins and with the top 17 covered by less than a second it shows the level of BSB. I am excited for the weekend and I just want to win races and that Monster Energy King of Brands trophy!”
