Shakey comes out fighting at Snetterton with record pace in practice

Courtesy of BSB British Superbike

Free practice one: 1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:47.670s 2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.187s 3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.863s 4: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) +1.404s 5: Jakub Smrz (Lloyds British Ducati) +1.559s 6: Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +1.580s Free practice two: 1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 1m:47.664s 2: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.134s 3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.566s 4: Chris Walker (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +0.658s 5: Broc Parkes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.659s 6: Howie Mainwaring (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +0.714s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne delivered a reminder to his rivals that he intends to return to winning ways in the fourth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship and regain the lead in the title stakes at Snetterton this weekend (19/20/21 June). The PBM Kawasaki rider upped the pace to run inside the lap record with a time of 1m 47.664s in the afternoon session to finally break the challenge of Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes as the pair went head-to-head in an intense battle for the top throughout the two opening sessions. Byrne admits he has had a difficult start to the defence of his record fourth crown. He started the season carrying an injury and has only scored a single victory back in April, and crashed out at the previous round with Ryuichi Kiyonari.  Shakey scored a double victory at the Norfolk circuit last season and now has his sights set on closing the eight points deficit to the current series leader James Ellison. Ellison on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider was third fastest and 0.566s adrift of Byrne at the top, but Be Wiser Kawasaki’s Chris Walker was also closing and the four times runner-up in the series held fourth position ahead of the second Milwaukee Yamaha of Broc Parkes. Howie Mainwaring made his return to the top ten in sixth place after pushing ahead of Czech rider Jakub Smrz who held seventh position on the Lloyds British MotoRapido Ducati after pushing ahead of Stuart Easton and Jason O’Halloran on the leading Honda Racing Fireblade. Bennetts Suzuki’s Christian Iddon completed a top ten featuring five different manufacturers and eight different teams, whilst Ryuichi Kiyonari dropped to eleventh after suffering a technical problem during the session with the Buildbase BMW that limited his track time, before getting back on the pace later in the session. Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) Fatest rider after opening two practice sessions:  “Today has actually been difficult despite what the time sheets say! We had some problems this morning and the team worked hard to fix it, which they did. We then concentrated on the bike set-up and to be honest at the moment is not where I like or need to be. We tried a few bits and pieces and now as a team we will come up with a plan for tomorrow to get the job done. I know we are capable and we will work harder to make it feel better for qualifying. I think we are there or thereabouts and that the boys will find the solution.”

Facebook Twitter Website YouTube Instagram Email Copyright © 2015, MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, All rights reserved.