Editorial Note: Americans Julian Correa and Eli Banish were 11th and 28th, respectively, in British Talent Cup FP2 at Thruxton.
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR):
O’Halloran bounces back from early crash to top Thruxton free practice times
Jason O’Halloran leads his Bennetts British Superbike Championship rivals into tomorrow’s eBay Sprint race at Thruxton as the McAMS Yamaha rider recovered from his crash in the opening session to top the times by 0.072s.
The Australian had captured the position at the top in the final five minutes of the second session where just 0.9s covered the top 15 riders. O’Halloran upped the pace to push Peter Hickman back into second. Ray’s best lap time though came on his final lap of the session, surging into second and it was enough to nudge Tom Sykes on the MCE Ducati outside of the top three.
The former World Champion had his best opening day of the season in fourth place, just ahead of Honda Racing UK’s Glenn Irwin who completed the top five with Kyle Ryde holding sixth position at the chequered flag.
Danny Kent was the second of the former World Champions to feature in the top ten, holding seventh place for the Buildbase Suzuki team, maintaining his position ahead of Lee Jackson on the leading Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki.
Tommy Bridewell was ninth fastest at his home round for the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team, just 0.004s adrift of Jackson ahead of him with Ryan Vickers completing the top ten on the FHO Racing BMW with Attis Sports.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Thruxton, SUPERPICKS Combined Free Practice times:
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:14.723s
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.072s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.164s
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +0.276s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +0.421s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.455s
- Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.587s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.615s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.619s
- Ryan Vickers (FHO Racing BMW with Attis Sports) +0.710
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.766s
- Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +0.813s
For more information on the Bennetts British Superbike Championship visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Jason O’Halloran
McAMS Yamaha
Fastest in SUPERPICKS Free Practice
“That’s day one at Thruxton done, I had good speed on new tyres and good pace on old tyres so I already feel really comfortable on the bike.
“The first session we just used one tyre, but felt strong.
“I had a little tip off at the end which was my first crash for the year, I just tucked the front going into the Complex which was not ideal but the bike wasn’t too damaged so it was all cool.
“This afternoon we just worked on a new setting and continued working for the races. I am feeling really strong and can’t wait for tomorrow.”
