Karl Harris outpaced Gregorio Lavilla, the current leader and defending champion of the Bennetts British Superbike series, in opening practice for the Easter Monday double race third round at Thruxton.

The HM Plant Honda rider lapped the 2.356mile Hampshire circuit in 1m 15.636secs, 112.13mph, marginally outside the outright record held by Lavilla, but importantly, on the day, a third of a second ahead of the Spaniard.

“The bike is going good – I’ve done a fair few laps here to get settled in, and I’m feeling confident for these races.

“I had a second place at Brands Hatch in the first race of the season, and really felt good last Sunday despite the wet and cold, but then the bike just slipped away from me when I was leading – now, I want to set the record straight,” said the 25 year old Sheffield rider who three times won the British Supersport crown prior to his graduation into the top flight.

Lavilla, who made his British Superbike debut at the circuit two years ago, a rider replacement in the Rizla Suzuki team, enjoyed strong results in the corresponding round last year, with third and second placings.

“I enjoy the circuit – it is very fast and I feel good that I can again have good results here, building on what we have done already this season. Already I have taken two pole starts and two victories and want more,” said Lavilla who has opened up a 24 points advantage over Ryuichi Kiyonari.

The Japanese rider was fourth fastest, with a lap of 1m 16.508secs, just adrift of Leon Haslam, riding the second Airwaves Ducati. The young Derbyshire rider is keen to build on his solid start to the campaign, while Kiyonari, after crashing out of the second race at Donington in the second round is determined to return to winning ways.

The Japanese rider did the double at Thruxton last year and needs an action replay as already he is playing catch-up on Lavilla in the title stakes.

Jonathan Rea, riding Red Bull Honda, headed off the challenge of Rizla Suzuki’s former champion Shane Byrne, with Dean Thomas on the Hawk Kawasaki seventh best, ahead of James Haydon on the second Rizla Suzuki.

Scott Smart, the winner of the rain-lashed second race at Donington Park last Sunday was eleventh on the leaderboard aboard his Vivaldi Suzuki.

James Buckingham, the defending British Superbike Champion, headed the times in the class for independent riders – aboard the Quay Garage Honda he put in a best lap of 1m 18.716secs, 107.74mph, just a quarter of a second up on Chris Martin on the PR Branson Honda, with Howie Mainwaring third from Malcolm Ashley and Marty Nutt ahead of Sunday’s grid deciding session.

Rizla Suzuki

RIZLA SUZUKI’S Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne finished sixth and James Haydon ninth in today’s opening practice sessions for the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Thruxton.

The morning one hour session at the 2.35-mile long Hampshire track was wet and all of the riders posted their fastest lap times in the afternoon’s dry practice. Both Rizla Suzuki riders tested a host of settings and tyres and ended the day confident they can improve their lap times considerably. Honda’s Karl Harris was quickest.

There is a day off for the team and riders tomorrow because of a noise restriction at Thruxton. Practice and qualification resumes on Sunday in preparation for the races on Easter Monday.

Superbike racing starts at 13:30 on Bank Holiday Monday, April 17th. You can catch all of the action on ITV1 at 15:00 and then again on Sky Sports 3 on Tuesday morning at 11:30.

Shakey:
“In both the wet and dry sessions I was struggling with corner entry and we were wracking our brains to try and fix the problem. At the end of the day we tried a new rear shock and it took nearly half a second off my lap times so that was good progress and is something to build on.

“We have a new front tyre we want to try on Sunday that worked superbly at our Spanish test last month and I think could suit Thruxton well. I am really fired up for this weekend and will be working with my crew to improve the bike’s set up before we are back on track on Sunday.”

James:
“I deliberately stayed out on track for a long time tyre testing and I have finished with a really nice feeling for my GSX-R1000. I am not looking for huge chunks anywhere but need small incremental improvements and that will be the way forward.

“I completed near race distance on a rear tyre and was recording my fastest laps towards the end, which means it’s a strong contender for the races. I think just riding the bike has given me more confidence and on a new tyre I could have went a lot faster. Roll on Sunday and qualification.”

Niall Mackenzie, Race Operations Manager:
“It’s been a solid performance from both riders today. Shane is looking for a little more confidence from his bike but made a leap forward at the end of the day and finished very promisingly in sixth place. He has a new tyre to try on Sunday and there is more to come.

“James completed a lot of laps and is riding confidently and with enthusiasm. He is happy with his bike and looking for small improvements. If he had put in a new tyre at the end of the session he would have been competing for a top six position on the time sheets.

“It’s a strange weekend with a day off tomorrow and then qualification on Sunday, however, Rizla Suzuki is itching to get back on track and keep our momentum going forward.”