MCE British Superbike Championship

Brands Hatch Circuit, England

July 17, 2015

Free Practice Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):

1. Michael Laverty, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:26.109

2. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.166

3. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:26.232

4. Tommy Bridewell, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:26.543

5. Richard Cooper, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.555

6. James Ellison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.566

7. John Hopkins, USA (Duc Panigale R), 1:26.575

8. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:26.595

9. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.601

10. Jason O’Halloran, Australia (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:26.706

11. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.742

12. Christian Iddon, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:26.824

13. Ryuichi Kiyonari, Japan (BMW S1000RR), 1:26.864

14. Stuart Easton, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:26.953

15. Broc Parkes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 1:26.975

16. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:27.044

17. Jack Kennedy, Ireland (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:27.068

18. Billy McConnell, Australia (BMW S1000RR), 1:27.090

19. Michael Rutter, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:27.164

20. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), 1:27.181

21. Howie Mainwaring Smart, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:27.332

22. Danny Buchan, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:27.520

23. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:27.713

24. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:27.847

25. Taylor Mackenzie, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.157

26. Josh Waters, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 1:28.220

27. Joe Burns, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.248

28. Jed Metcher, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.345

29. Shaun Winfield, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.588

30. Lee Costello, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:28.860

31. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), 1:29.446

32. James Rose, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:29.584

33. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), 1:29.830

34. Rhalf Lo Turco, Brazil (Kaw ZX-10R), 1:31.165

American James Rispoli, riding his Team Traction Control Yamaha YZF-R6, was seventh-fastest with a time of 1:29.442 in Motorpoint British Supersport Free Practice Two.

American Brandon Paasch was sixth in provisional qualifying for the Moriwaki 250 Junior Cup. Riding a spec Moriwaki MD250H, Paasch did a best lap of 1:43.367.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Laverty launches to the top in Brands Hatch shake up

Results

Free practice one:

1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 1m:26.388s

2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.025s

3: Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +0.058s

4: Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +0.264s

5: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.313s

6: Jack Kennedy (Team WD-40 Kawasaki) +0.497s

Free Practice two:

1: Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 1m:26.109s

2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) +0.057s

3: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.123s

4: Richard Cooper (Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki) +0.337s

5: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) +0.434s

6: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.457s

Report

Michael Laverty launched his assault on Brands Hatch this weekend (18/19 July) by topping the opening free practice sessions in Kent, fighting off his MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship rivals in a session where the top 19 riders were covered by just 0.981s and five different manufacturers were represented in the top ten.

The Tyco BMW rider, who last weekend raced in the German round of MotoGP, underlined his versatility by heading off the challenge of the home contender and defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, by a narrow 0.057s.

Laverty had been building momentum throughout the two sessions, setting a pace of 1m 26.109s, continuing to build on the form he has enjoyed in the previous two rounds of Snetterton and Knockhill.

Byrne who carries the momentum of winning the previous four races, took time to dial in his PBM Kawasaki to the Grand Prix circuit, but is ready to challenge for his 67th win on his home circuit after ending the opening day second fastest.

However Josh Brookes also proved that he is going to be a threat in the two races this weekend; the Milwaukee Yamaha rider has only failed to finish off the podium once this season and knows the elusive first win of the season is within striking distance after setting the third fastest time.

Richard Cooper on the Anvil Hire TAG Kawasaki set the fourth best time, just ahead of Tommy Bridewell on the second Tyco BMW and JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s James Ellison, who after two tough rounds is desperate to get his campaign back on track.

American John Hopkins marked his return to the championship by impressively setting the seventh fastest time on the Lloyds British Moto Rapido Ducati, to be ahead of Martin Jessopp, James Westmoreland and Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran despite a crash at Druids.

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW)

“I’m really happy with the way things are going – we have been building over the last three rounds, starting at Snetterton and then at Knockhill. I am feeling really comfortable with the bike and knew that it was all coming together – we had been going round in circles earlier, but now I feel at home with the bike. We’ve adjusted the bike to suit my style, there are still a few things to work on and they could make all the difference.”

“I have been able to push at ten tenths and for the first time this year have ended the day leading the session. Riding in the MotoGP was good experience, and not a problem in terms of changing bikes as I had done test riding for them and I am pretty adaptable to be able to jump off one bike on to another in an exciting couple of weeks.

“I’ve only ever ridden a Superbike around here so it was a case of getting out, getting comfortable but now it is important to get big championship points in these races – will I try for the £50,000 challenge? First I need a bit more speed to get through from the back. I know how well those guys ride, there are a lot of good bikes, a lot of fast riders, so it is something to weight up on the day, but most importantly is getting points.”

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

Milwaukee Yamaha on the pace as Brands Hatch gets underway

The Milwaukee Yamaha team were back on track at Brands Hatch today for the opening free practice sessions for the sixth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship with Josh Brookes holding third and Broc Parkes 16th.

The team-mates had been working through a variety of changes during the opening two sessions as they prepare to battle in Sunday’s two races. Brookes is chasing the first win of the season in Kent and was confident he can close the deficit, running 0.337s adrift of the pace-setting time.

Parkes made his return to the track following his arm pump surgery and set the 16th fastest time and is confident of further improvement tomorrow with the top 19 riders covered by 0.9s.

Parkes said: “How I felt a couple of days ago with my arms, I’m pretty happy to be where I am. Times are not too far away but the times here are really close so in general this morning I’m still feeling a bit stiff and my arms are still a little fresh so I haven’t had the full movement yet and I felt better this afternoon. In general I think it’s not too bad but we’re a little bit down but not too far away so we’ll make some adjustments tomorrow and be as bit stronger and jump up a bit more.”

Josh Brookes

Brookes said: “We have a new plan – F it its Friday, sensible Saturday and successful Sunday. We tried some quite different, I won’t say radical as nothing is radical in motorbike racing these days, but we pushed the boat out, and we have had some clear improvements with the bike in the second session. I lost some of my front end steering and feel that I normally have so we are conclusive with what we need to do to improve.

“We have to come up with something sensible for tomorrow as if we can get the steering that I am used to, and the knowledge we have now to stop the wheelie, we can put together a package for tomorrow it will work out. If I can get that feeling from the front end and the acceleration of the corners that I have achieved in FP2, we will probably be half a second better than my fastest time straight away and then we would be P1 at the moment.”

Broc Parkes

“How I felt a couple of days ago with my arms, I’m pretty happy to be where I am. Times are not too far away but the times here are really close so in general this morning I’m still feeling a bit stiff and my arms are still a little fresh so I haven’t had the full movement yet and I felt better this afternoon. In general I think it’s not too bad but we’re a little bit down but not too far away so we’ll make some adjustments tomorrow and be as bit stronger and jump up a bit more.”