After all the pre event expectation, hype, Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin opened his 2020 BSB series finale in productive fashion, finishing third quickest in the opening timed practice session.
Just 0.169 shy of FP1 pace setter, fellow title contender Jason O’Halloran, four times North West 200 victor Irwin registered a best lap time of 1 minute 26.282 seconds.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
Outpacing this afternoon current BSB Championship leader Josh Brookes, Irwin knows he will have to be inch perfect across all areas if he is to add this weekend the BSB title to a racing CV which already includes five International road race victories.
Fellow modern era International roads giant 13 times Ulster GP winner Peter Hickman, competing for the final time this weekend under the Smiths Racing banner, took 16th on the first practice times sheet.
Whilst 26th quickest ON1 Racing’s Brian McCormack showed solid form around the illustrious Brands Hatch GP circuit, recording a best lap time of 1 minute 34.370 seconds plus completing in total 22 laps.
Words by Stevie Rial