BSB: Irwin tops rain-interrupted day at Brands

Glenn Irwin led the way on a rain-interrupted opening day as the sixth round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike championship got underway at Brands Hatch.

The Be Wiser Ducati rider placed 0.1 seconds ahead of McAMS Yamaha’s Josh Brookes in a warm and dry first free practice before the afternoon rain hampered the second session.

Rookie Tarran Mackenzie impressed to place third quickest while Anvil Hire TAG’s James Ellison made it three Yamahas in the top four in fourth.

Luke Mossey got off to a strong start for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team in fifth with Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon rounding out the top six.

Winner last time out Jake Dixon was seventh fastest ahead of Peter Hickman while series leader Leon Haslam languished in ninth at a track he’s not won at since 2006. The second Tyco BMW of Michael Laverty rounded out the top ten.

Suzuki’s Bradley Ray struggled on the opening day down in 14^th, while the Honda’s duo of Jason O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot also faced a tough first day in 13^th and 16^th respectively. Tommy Bridewell was 17th quickest in his first session with MotoRapido Ducati.

Heavy rainfall ahead of the afternoon session saw just 12 riders on track in FP2 with only eight of those setting a time within 107% of Josh Brookes’ quickest time.