Brands Hatch BSB: Tommy Hill tops Saturday practice

Tommy Hill topped Saturday’s free practice times in preparation for Monday’s first BSB round, and was the only rider to break the 46.0s barrier on the Brands Indy course.

Hill’s best time of 45.92s on the Worx Suzuki was just 0.16s quicker that Tommy Bridewell achieved on the Quay Honda.

Hill said: “Brands Indy is always so close. I’m pleased with my times considering I was in and out of the pits trying to adjust things to get the best from the bike.”

21-year old Bridewell had sensationally topped the times in the morning session and was right on the pace in the afternoon aboard the Quay Honda and said: “I’m trying not to get carried away with the excitement but it’s good to be up there.

“My problem has been trying to find clear track to get a good run.”

The 1.19mile Brands Indy course always guarantees close-fought action and less than one second separated the top 16 riders – with former WSB and BSB champion Neil Hodgson 16th with a time of 46.91s.

James Ellison was third quickest on the Swan Honda but team-mate Stuart Easton was only 15th quickest.

He’s still handicapped by the leg injury sustained at Cadwell in testing two weeks ago and is not yet prepared to really put it on the line for a fast lap until it’s really necessary.

Ryuichi Kiyonari is showing no signs of his Cadwell testing blip when he was 3.0s off the pace. The two-time BSB champion clocked fourth quickest time in the afternoon session on the HM Plant Honda. Team-mate Josh Brookes was ninth.

James Edmeades crashed his BSB Evo Redline KTM in the morning session and suffered a broken wrist.  Joes Burns crashed the Splitlath Aprilia in the afternoon and suffered a cracked bone in his wrist.

Both MSS Colchester Kawasakis went down – Simon Andrews crashed on his tenth lap in the morning. Mason highsided on the final lap of the afternoon session. Neither rider suffered injury.

Saturday Free Practice a.m.
1 Tommy Bridewell, Honda, 46.62
2 Tommy Hill Worx, Suzuki, 46.64
3 Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda 46.71
4 James Ellison, Honda 46.95
5 Josh Brookes, Honda 46.98
6 Gary Mason, Kawasaki 47.023s
7Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki 47.05
8 Alastair Seeley, Suzuki 47.29
9 Adam Jenkinson Kawasaki 47.44
10 Michael Rutter, Ducati 47.47.

Saturday Free Practice p.m.
1 Tommy Hill, Suzuki 45.92
2 Tommy Bridewell, Honda 46.09
3 James Ellison, Honda 46.11
4 Ryuichi Kiyonari, Honda 46.12
5 Michael Laverty, Suzuki 46.17
6 Yukio Kagayama, Suzuki 46.18
7 Alastair Seeley, Suzuki 46.19
8 Dan Linfoot, Yamaha 46.26
9 Josh Brookes, Honda 46.28
10 Gary Mason, Kawaski 46.39.