Source: British Superbike Championship.

Aussie Josh Brookes found a setup sweet spot to post the fastest time in the second free practice session of the British Superbike Championship (BSB) opener at Brands Hatch.

The Milwaukee Yamaha rider ran second to day one pacesetter Shane Byrne in the first session, finishing 0.125 seconds adrift with Ryuichi Kiyonari third but close to half a second off the frontrunners’ pace.

Brookes and his team made a number of changes between sessions resulting in a better feeling on the bike and the day’s top time, only 0.0046 seconds off the long-standing lap record.

Byrne settled for second at the end of track running, with Czech rider Jakub Smrz climbing to third on his Millsport Ducati. Stuart Easton on the second Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki-mounted Chris Walker completed the top five.

Fellow Aussies Josh Waters and Mitchell Carr made headway across the first two free practice sessions, though their progress would not be reflected on the timesheets with less than one second separating first from 20th.

Waters rounded out the first practice in 19th and completed the day in 21st place in his first official hitout with Tyco Suzuki.

Anvil Hire TAG Racing Kawasaki rider Carr also improved but he would be bumped from 24th in the morning session to 26th in the afternoon.

Profile Racing Triumph rider Luke Stapleford headed the field in the Supersport ranks, finishing the second free practice session 0.050 seconds clear of MarTrain Yamaha’s Alastair Seeley.

Graeme Gowland was third from Luke Mossey and Australia’s Billy McConnell, marking another strong session for Triumph.

In the Superstock 1000 class Danny Buchan carried over his practice form to lead the way at the end of the first qualifying session, with Jason O’Halloran continuing his consistent run in second, 0.307 seconds behind.

Glen Richards showed good form upon return to the class, placing ninth for Padgetts Honda, with fellow Aussie David Johnson 14th for PR Racing Kawasaki.

Yamaha rider Andy Reid led the way in the first Superstock 600 qualifier, with Mason Law second and Tom Oliver third.

Ben Currie was the best of the Aussies for Moto-Breakers Kawasaki in 10th, with Levi Day struggling in traffic for 16th. James Mutton, just 1.5 seconds off the pace, was 28th.

The Superbike class will contest a final free practice tomorrow ahead of qualifying, with racing to follow on Easter Monday.

2014 British Superbike Championship
Round one, Brands Hatch

Superbike free practice two results:
1. Josh BROOKES (AUS) 45.506
2. Shane BYRNE 45.677
3. Jakub SMRZ 45.768
4. Stuart EASTON 45.802
5. Chris WALKER 45.851
6. James ELLISON 46.026
7. James WESTMORELAND 46.099
8. Ryuichi KIYONARI 46.105
9. Simon ANDREWS 46.117
10. Martin JESSOPP 46.120
21. Josh WATERS (AUS) 46.609
26. Mitchell CARR (AUS)46.936

Supersport free practice two results:
1. Luke STAPLEFORD 46.610
2. Alastair SEELEY 46.660
3. Graeme GOWLAND 46.665
4. Luke MOSSEY 46.688
5. Billy McCONNELL (AUS) 46.959
6. Luke HEDGER 47.224
7. Glenn IRWIN 47.232
8. Jake DIXON 47.339
9. Samuel HORNSEY 47.349
10. Sam COVENTRY 47.376

Click here for detailed results