BSB: Ellison on top with quickest ever lap of Brands Indy

James Ellison got off to a storming start in the opening free practice sessions for the second round of the 2017 MCE British Superbike Championship to clock the fastest ever lap around the Brands Indy circuit.

Fifth quickest in yesterday’s official test, the McAMS Yamaha rider made his mark in the opening practice session with a quickest lap of 45’097 seconds to better Shane Byrne’s outright circuit record of 45’112 set in 2011.

While the Cumbrian was unable to better his pace in the warmer afternoon session, a 45’120 would place him at the top of the timesheets once again as he enjoys the benefits of a new, factory swingarm in his YZF-R1.

Friday’s quickest man Shane Byrne was second, just 0.098 off his long-time rival in the second session with Luke Mossey rounding out the top three for JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

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Leon Haslam, who spent most of the session working on the harder SC1 tyre, was unable to clock an improvement in laptime as he headed out on the softer rear due to yellow flags at the end of the session.

Christian Iddon was fifth quickest for Tyco BMW, ahead of an impressive showing for rookie Bradley Ray who finished the day fifth quickest despite two crashes on the Buildbase Suzuki.

Honda Racing continued to show signs of improvement with the new Fireblade with Dan Linfoot seventh, ahead of Josh Brookes and Sylvain Guintoli. John Hopkins rounded out the top ten.  

Former WSB star Davide Giugliano missed the afternoon session after a heavy fall at Graham Hill bend in FP1. 

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