By Decent conditions greeted various International roads greats for the official BSB (British Superbikes) test at Donington Park, which got underway at 9:00 AM.
British Supersport wise, nine times International road race winner Lee Johnston had a solid overall test, completing 67 laps, registering a best lap time of 1 minute 10.619 seconds.
24 times North West 200 winner Alastair Seeley piloting the ABM Triumph, placed second quickest within the GP2 class behind York’s Joe Thompson.
New Spirit Moto Corsa signing Thompson, who’s racing resume includes North West 200, Southern 100 rostrum finishes, left today’s test quickest in class thanks to an impressive lap time of 1 minute 10.076 seconds, one to watch once race action takes centre stage!
Reflecting on today’s National Superstock 600 action, Binch Racing’s Adam McLean quietly impressed many with his consistent pace, nearing the sub 1 minute 11 second mark, alongside banking circulating no less than 78 laps.
Moving onto the Superbikes and four times North West 200 winner, Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin in particular starred, completing 81 laps, finishing fastest within the third BSB test session.
Testing is obviously different to racing but today’s performance suggests the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP will be ultra competitive at upcoming BSB events, wonder how competitive it will be all around the Triangle and Mountain Course in 2021?
World’s fastest road racer, outright TT Races lap record holder Peter Hickman as usual showed an ultra consistent turn of speed and ended the test lapping sub 1 minute 07 seconds, alongside 84 laps of Donington banked.
Added major roads names to feature at Donington Park included reigning IRRC Superbike Champion Davey Todd, Michael Rutter, Phil Crowe, BSB returnee Brian McCormack, 16 times TT winner Ian Hutchinson (10th quickest within the final Superstock 1000 Championship test session) and 19 times TT victor Michael Dunlop.
Words by Stevie Rial
