Brands Hatch BSB: Hill tops Saturday free practice

Tommy Hill topped both free practice sessions at Brands Hatch yesterday preparing for the opening round of the 2012 MCE British Superbike Championship on Monday.

The Swan Yamaha rider set a best time of 46.29 in the morning and went even quicker in the afternoon with a 45.97 despite the threat of rain.

Hill said: “So far, so good. It’s early days yet though. It’s good to top the free practice sessions and the time that put me fastest this afternoon came right in the middle of a stint that was hit by drizzle.

“The team could see the rain coming and pulled me in. It’s good to know I can do those sort of times in conditions like that without really pushing.”

Michael Laverty was second quickest, 0.04s off Hill’s best time with the Samsung Honda. Team WFR Honda’s Graeme Gowland was third quickest, back on form after yesterday’s crash in testing.

Ian Lowry posted the fourth fastest time and Alex Lowes and Shane Byrne completed the top six.

Barry Burrell had been third on the leaderboard but wound up seventh after crashing his Buildbase BMW.
 
1 T. Hill Swan Yamaha 45.97
2 M. Laverty Samsung Honda 46.02
3 G. Gowland TeamWFR Honda 46.11
4 I. Lowry  Padgetts Honda 46.23
5 A. Lowes WFR Honda 46.23
6 S. Byrne  Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki 46.25
7 B. Burrell  Buildbase BMW 46.28
8 C. Walker Pr1mo-Bournemouth Kawasaki 46.29
9 D. Linfoot Buildbase BMW 46.41
10 S. Easton  Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki 46.42