Haslam heads BSB times

Leon Haslam has gone fastest in the first practice session for the eighth round of the British Superbike championship at Knockhill on Sunday, July 16, 2006.

The Airwaves Ducati rider posted a top time of 48.936, after outlining his new strategy for the season in the last issue of MCN. He’s tailed by three Hondas, with Karl Harris, Jonathan Rea, and Ryuichi Kiyonari all fairly close behind. The lone Suzuki of Shane Byrne was fifth fastest, after the decision to run a single Rizla Suzuki following injuries to James Haydon and the theft of the team’s bikes from the BSB test at croft earlier this week.

Reigning champion and title favourite Gregorio Lavilla was seventh fastest, heading Scott Smart, Tommy Hill and Ben Wilson.

Full BSB times:

1. Leon haslam 48.936.

2. Karl Harris 49.219.

3. Jonathan Rea 49.266.

4. Ryuichi Kiyonari 49.417.

5. Shane Byrne 49.623.

6. Michael Rutter 49.780.

7. Gregorio Lavilla 49.831.

8. Scott Smart 49.916.

9. Tommy Hill 50.056.

10. Ben Wilson 50.209.

11. Craig Coxhell 50.346.

12. Kieran Clarke 50.408.

13. Michael Laverty 50.454.

14. James Buckingham 50.458.

15. Glen Richards 50.468.

16. Ollie Bridewell 50.493.

17. Billy McConnell 50.620.

18. Jon Kirkham 50.828.

19. Chris Martin 50.886.

20. Gary Mason 50.990.

21. Marty Nutt 51.080.

22. Danny Beaumont 51.195.

23. Dean Ellison 51.297.

24. Nick Medd 51.577.

25. Peter Hickman 51.832.

26. Howie Mainwaring 52.567.

27. Michael Howarth 53.524.