Aussie Josh Brookes was fast before a late fall at Kirkistown.

Tyco Suzuki completed a successful two-day test at Kirkistown in Northern Ireland today with British Superbike riders Josh Brookes and PJ Jacobsen both dipping impressively inside the circuit lap-record on their GSX-R1000s.

But it turned out to be a bittersweet day, both getting caught out by plummeting track temperatures in the afternoon session and both slipping-off within two laps of each other at the County Down venue.

Thankfully, only bruised egos and some broken bodywork were the end result, but all in all a very positive opening two days to the 2013 campaign for the team’s BSB riders.

“The second day has been quite productive again, even though we probably only had half the time out there compared to yesterday,” Brookes said. “We changed the Öhlins shock setting, which we had a few problems with yesterday, but we’ve improved it.

“Yesterday’s conditions were freezing and today’s were even worse but we’ve been able to match my lap times which indicate the bike is heading in the right direction.

“The weather prohibited us from getting any further on, but taking it into consideration, we did really good. For me it has shown that we have been able to push the bike close to its limits already, which is pretty impressive for a first test, and we both only got caught-out at the end because of the weather.

“We were both working in the same direction and everything was going well, so I’m happy with what we’ve done already and look forward to the next test now.”

Philip Neill, team manager, was satisfied with the first test despite the late crashes.

“It’s never a good sign to arrive at a circuit and be greeted by one of your mechanics carrying a dash in their hand, but I suppose broken bodywork and a bit of scratched metal indicate the start of a new season,” he said.

“On a positive note, a lot has been achieved in such a short space of time for both Josh and PJ and we come away from this with a lot of valuable information, not least from the hard work with Richard from Öhlins these past two days.

“We will take these positives to Donington Park next week then onto Brands and Snetterton, after which we should be well ready to race and compete in both classes.”

The team will continue testing at next week’s official BSB test at Donington Park on 14 March.