Source: BSB.

Home hero Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne set the pace in the opening MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship free practice sessions at Snetterton, leading his international rivals Julien Da Costa, Jakub Smrz and Josh Brookes in a top six that featured five different manufacturers.

Byrne has won three of the four races so far as he bids to claim the title for a record fourth time and he was quickly down to business, powering in consistently strong laps at the Norfolk circuit to edge out his closest rival by 0.128s.

“In the morning we were able to open a gap over the rest, using only one set of tyres, and we were happy with the work we had done,” Byrne said. “In the afternoon, we went quicker, and a couple of others went faster too, but towards the end of the session we found a big improvement.

“My rhythm was much better and we got faster and I really loved riding even more than usual for those four or five laps. Hopefully now we can continue in that direction and perfect the bike tomorrow for qualifying.”

World Endurance Champion Da Costa marked Honda Racing’s return to the championship in fine style as he closed to within 0.128s of Byrne in the final stages of the session. The Frenchman is making the first of four scheduled wildcard appearances for Honda as they continue to develop their bike for a planned return to the series next year.

Millsport Ducati’s Smrz continued to show his pace at the Norfolk circuit, setting the third fastest time ahead of Brookes, the only rider so far this season to beat Byrne. The Australian riding the Milwaukee Yamaha, ran just 0.749s down on his title rival and just ahead of Chris Walker aboard the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki.

James Westmoreland ran sixth fastest for Buildbase BMW ahead of James Ellison who will be looking to continue his consistent podium finishing record for the Lloyds British GBmoto Kawasaki team.

Tommy Bridewell, Swiss rider Patrick Muff on the Bathams BMW and three times title winner Ryuichi Kiyonari riding the Buildbase BMW completed the top 10 that represented six different nationalities. Australians Josh Waters and Mitchell Carr were 16th and 25th fastest respectively.

Billy McConnell led the way in Supersport posting a 1m51.662, edging out Alastair Seely and Graham Gowland.

In Superstock 1000 qualifying Aussie Jason O’Halloran was second quickest, 0.081s in arrears of Danny Buchan, while David Johnson returned from TT duties to lap eighth.

The Superstock 600 ranks saw Levi Day circulate to second position, with James Mutton making it two Aussies in the top five with fifth. Benjamin Currie was 10th in a continuation of the strong Aussie form.