James Westmoreland grabbed an unexpected pole position at Donington Park.

Buildbase BMW’s James Westmoreland has taken a historic pole for the Donington Park British Superbike Championship races – a first for his career, a first for the team and the first outright pole position for the brand in the British ranks.

Westmoreland set the 1m29.726 lap without a functioning lap timer, and was unaware that he had set the session benchmark.

“My lap timer wasn’t working on the bike so I just went as fast as I could,” said Westmoreland. “I did enough with that very good lap but now I have to keep it going as I want to be in the top six by the end of this round.

“I need podium finishes and will push as hard as I can in the races. I’ll get a good night’s sleep and then come out fighting and show what we can do.”

Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes was second fastest, from Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison and Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki’s Shane Byrne.

Aussie Josh Brookes was in the mix as usual, qualifying fifth, with countryman Josh Waters missing the final Q3 session by one place to take 11th.

Adelaide rider Billy McConnell secured his second consecutive win in the British Supersport ranks with a 0.475-second victory over Stuart Easton in today’s 12-lap sprint.

McConnell’s Smiths Triumph teammate and fellow Aussie Glen Richards crossed the line in third, with Ben Wilson fourth and Graeme Gowland fifth.

Jason O’Halloran was seventh, and had been in the battle for fourth in the closing stages, but was forced to run across the gravel as he was squeezed off track.

Superstock 1000 pole position was achieved by Filip Backlund on his ILR Kawasaki, while CF Motorsport’s Callan Cooper was the top Superstock 600 qualifier on his CF Motorsport Yamaha.

Aussies Mark Wilkinson and Levi Day put in strong qualifying showings to place ninth and 12th respectively.

2013 British Superbike Championship
Round nine – Donington Park

Superbike free practice:

1. James WESTMORELAND 1m29.726
2. Alex LOWES 1m29.997
3. James ELLISON 1m30.038
4. Shane BYRNE 1m30.171
5. Josh BROOKES 1m30.211
6. Tommy BRIDEWELL 1m30.360
7. Chris WALKER 1m30.363
8. PJ JACOBSEN 1m30.512
9. Jon KIRKHAM 1m30.521
10. Jakub SMRZ 1m30.531
11. Josh WATERS (Aus) 1m30.853

Click here for detailed results