Editorial Note: American Brandon Paasch, riding his Dynavolt Triumph Street Triple 765 RS, was sixth in British Supersport Free Practice Two Friday at Brands Hatch.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
O’Halloran fights back at Brands Hatch to hold off Iddon and Brookes in free practice as Showdown kicks off
Jason O’Halloran began his fightback for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship crown at Brands Hatch today, topping the SUPERPICKS combined free practice times for McAMS Yamaha as he bids to overhaul the ten-point deficit in the standings to teammate Tarran Mackenzie.
O’Halloran’s best lap came in his final run of the day on the Grand Prix circuit, toppling the VisionTrack Ducati pairing from the top of the times in the final three minutes of the session.
Christian Iddon holds third in the standings heading into tomorrow’s opening race of the title-deciding weekend, 15 points adrift of Mackenzie and he was second fastest at the end of the opening day’s action, edging out his teammate Josh Brookes by 0.033s.
Lee Jackson fired the FS-3 Kawasaki into fourth place in the final moments of the session, narrowly moving ahead of Peter Hickman on the FHO Racing BMW as four manufacturers completed the top five positions.
Championship leader Tarran Mackenzie ended the day sixth fastest, 0.256s adrift of his McAMS Yamaha teammate, as 0.516s covered the top 14 riders ahead of tomorrow’s SUPERPICKS Qualifying session and opening BikeSocial race.
Danny Buchan held off Gino Rea for seventh place with Bradley Ray and Glenn Irwin completing the top ten, nudging Tommy Bridewell out of the top ten by 0.038s.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, SUPERPICKS Free Practice combined result:
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:25.229s
- Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.103s
- Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.136s
- Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.236s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.246s
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.256s
- Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.266s
- Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.337s
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.345s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.353s
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Jason O’Halloran – McAMS Yamaha
Fastest in SUPERPICKS Free Practice
“It has been a really positive day for us and I feel that is probably our best day in two rounds so I am happy with that. I got that good feeling back that I had with the bike in the middle of the year, so I am really chuffed with that.
“It was a really solid run at the end of the day and I was looking like I would improve on the last lap but I got caught up in a bit of traffic, but I feel comfortable and confident. We will make a few little changes in the morning and then we will be ready for race one.”
More, from a press release issued by Dynavolt Triumph:
Weather limits progress on opening day at Brands Hatch
Brandon Paasch was sixth quickest for Dynavolt Triumph as the final round of the 2021 Quattro Group British Supersport Championship got underway today at Brands Hatch in Kent.
Early morning cloud and drizzle meant that few riders ventured out for Free Practice One as there was really nothing to be gained, and with no improvement to the weather throughout the session both Paasch and teammate Danny Webb completed only four laps between them.
Brandon Paasch: “It’s not too bad, 1.3 seconds off. We missed the first practice; well everybody basically did because it started misting right before we went out so it was good to get one practice in today. Tomorrow qualifying in the morning, I’m feeling good, feeling confident so let’s go.”
The weather broke in time for a completely dry afternoon session which was good news for Webb at his first visit to the 2.4-mile GP circuit in six years as he ended the day just behind his teammate in seventh position on the combined timesheets.
Danny Webb: “We’ve had a good day today, unfortunately in the first session there was really light drizzle so we didn’t get out because it just wasn’t worth it. Second session went well. It was a good start, I’ve not been here for six years so it was nice to get my eye in. A few alterations to make to the bike to make it a bit more comfortable and we’ll be ready to go tomorrow.”
Dynavolt Triumph Team Manager Simon Buckmaster: “This afternoon was the first dry session. Obviously we need to find some time to be where we want and need to be but we are confident that Danny, Brandon and the boys working with Devis from Bitubo can make the difference and put us in good shape in qualifying.”