Karl Harris dominated free practice ahead of the seventh round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship as it returned to Oulton Park for a second visit of the season.
The Rob Mac Racing Yamaha rider was fastest in each of the two sessions, running with a best time of 1m 36.716secs, an average speed of 100.20mph around the 2.692 mile Cheshire circuit, as he outpaced the leading duo in the title chase by a little over a tenth of a second.
“I’ve had enough bad luck and problems so far but after a strong result last time out, and now this, I’m determined to start my season for real here, so I’m really pleased and I’m going out there to enjoy myself,” said Harris who is chasing a first podium finish as the action moves into the second half of the campaign.
Harris has a strong pedigree at the circuit and that could pose problems for series leader and former champion Shane Byrne who is hoping for a repeat of his winning double at the circuit back in May to further extend his 97 points advantage in the rankings over Cal Crutchlow.
The Airwaves Ducati ride has been on the pace throughout in a fast moving duel with his nearest rival Crutchlow who finally put his HM Plant Honda just ahead on the practice leaderboard in the final stages of the afternoon session which was spoiled early on by light rain.
Crutchlow, looking to avenge a tumble in the previous round here that contributed to him playing catch up in the title stakes put in a best lap of 1m 36.890secs while Byrne who sat out much of the second session, taking to the circuit to close in with a time of 1m 37.142secs.
Leon Haslam, like his team-mate hoping for a strong showing to atone for an earlier problem at the circuit, set the fourth best time, just, ahead of the rider, Leon Camier, whom he trails in the standings. Tom Sykes, aboard the Rizla Suzuki, was marginally down on them, with the top six riders all within half a second of each other.
James Ellison maintained his impressive form aboard the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda, running seventh, ahead of Michael Rutter, the North West 200 Ducati rider who took his first victory in three years in the previous round at Mallory Park.
Atsushi Watanabe ran ninth from Lloyds British Jentin Racing Yamaha rider Simon Andrews who edged Billy McConnell out of the top ten by two tenths of a second. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki), Tristan Palmer on the Tena for Men Honda, Hawk Kawasaki’s Scott Smart and James Haydon, making his second appearance on the MSS Discovery Kawasaki, completed the top 15 runners.
John Laverty, riding the Buildbase NW200 Ducati, the leader in the Daily Star Cup, ran fastest with a time of 1m 39.517secs, ahead of Gary Mason on the Quay Garage Honda with Chris Burns aboard the STP MV Agusta in close contention.
Leading free practice times:1. Karl Harris (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) 1m:36.716s
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +0.174s
3. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) +0.426s
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +0.516s
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +0.552s
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +0.598s
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +1.214s
8. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +1.624s
9. Atsushi Watanabe (Rizla Suzuki) +1.736s
10. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +1.748s
Superbikes on track:
Saturday 19th July10.15-11.05 free practice
14.00-14.50 Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole grid deciding qualifying session
Sunday 20th July12.02-12.17 warm-up practice
13.15 Race One – 18 laps
16.30 Race Two – 18 laps
