Jason O’Halloran Leads The Way In The First Practice Session Of The Day At Donington Park For Round Five Of The Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

For Round Five of the Bennetts British Superbikes, the Superbike and support classes are at the iconic Leicestershire circuit of Donington Park. Reigning British Superbike Champion Josh Brookes has changed from the number one plate back to his familiar number 25, will this have any effect on the Australian’s results this weekend? There is a new face on the grid for Round Five, Joe Sheldon-Shaw is standing in for the injured Josh Owens with the CDH Racing Kawasaki Team.

The Free Practice One session was under sunny skies, Ryan Vickers was quick off the mark leading the way until VisionTrack Ducati’s Christian Iddon took the top spot. Six minutes into the session it was BMW’s Danny Buchan’s turn to be in first place. Iddon re-took first position from Buchan after completing six laps.

Joe Francis crashed at Mcleans after completing five laps. Josh Brookes was in sixth place, a much better start to proceedings for the reigning champion. Honda’s Glenn Irwin took charge and went first followed by McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran in second place. The top placed riders weren’t far off the race lap record time at Donington Park, set by Spanish rider Hector Barbera in 2020.

FS-3 Racing’s Lee Jackson was yet again having a strong Free Practice One session in sixth place. Josh Brookes was up-to fourth place at the half-way mark. Jason O’Halloran was now in first place in front of Glenn Irwin. FHO Racing BMW’s Peter Hickman was in third place. Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell rounded out the top ten.

With four minutes remaining RICH Energy OMG Racing BMW’s Kyle Ryde got up-to tenth place, team-mate Brad Ray was in 13th position. At the checkered flag it was Jason O’Halloran who ended the session in first place, Glenn Irwin in second, Lee Jackson in third. Iddon and Brookes finished sixth and seventh respectively, Brad Ray got into the top ten finishing in ninth place.

Can Jason O’Halloran hold on to the top spot in Free Practice Two, will Josh Brookes make it into Q2 for the second time this season?

Featured Images: Bennetts British Superbikes, Jamie Morris Photography.