Josh Brookes twice fought off fierce challenges from Alastair Seeley to set the pace in the opening practice sessions ahead of the triple race seventh round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Snetterton.

The HM Plant Honda rider, who leads the title chase by four points, topped the leaderboard in each of the two sessions at the Norfolk circuit, but not without being closely challenged by Relentless Suzuki riding Seeley, and the two riders ended the day with only 0.120secs between them.

"This is the best practice day I have had this year and the first time I have topped two consecutive free practice sessions so I am feeling really positive now ahead of the first race," said Brookes with a smile.

"It has been a pleasant return here after the past two rounds. I don’t really like Mallory Park and then Knockhill was ruined due to the weather, but this track is great for Superbikes and you can really utilise the full speed on the straights here and the turns are so flowing.

"I am therefore enjoying it more and when you ride like that it gives you more confidence and the times just come," he added as he prepared for the Saturday afternoon opening race, held over from the weather ravaged Knockhill round, and the two Sunday afternoon races.

Brookes can take nothing for granted. Apart from Seeley, Michael Rutter, fresh from his Scottish victory was again running at the sharp-end of the pack on his RidersMotorcycles.com Ducati to be a split second up on Tommy Hill who is eager to regain the lead in the title standings.

Worx Crescent Suzuki rider Hill dominated the early season action, but has had two lean rounds, and while he is well placed for a challenge for the crown, he is not happy at being second best in the rankings.

"Everyone wants to see a close fight for the title and I think that is what they are going to get; this weekend is certainly going to be close," said Hill, adding:
"I had a big lead and you can see how fast the order can change so I need to be back on the podium."

Dan Linfoot ran fifth fastest aboard the Motorpoint Yamaha with the Laverty brothers Michael, riding Relentless Suzuki, and John, Buildbase Kawasaki, either side of Quay Garage Honda’s Tommy Bridewell with former twice World Supersport champion Andrew Pitt ninth fastest ahead of Chris Walker, who was making his debut for the Sorrymate.com SMT Honda team.

Swan Honda’s James Ellison, running twelfth fastest, was sandwiched between the MSS Colchester Kawasaki riders Simon Andrews and Gary Mason while Ryuichi Kiyonari, twice a double race winner at this circuit in his two title winning years, struggled with the set-up of his bike to be just ahead of fifteenth fastest Stuart Easton who was experiencing grip problems.

Steve Brogan, riding the Jentin BMW, was the fastest of the Mirror.co.uk BSB-EVO class runners, only 0.004secs slower than Easton, as he put in a series of consistent laps, underlining his determination to peg back series leading Hudson Kennaugh in the title chase.

Kennaugh, who has switched from MAR Kawasaki to ride for Splitlath Aprilia at this round, was fourth fastest in class a second down on Brogan and adrift of his new Aprilia team-mate Chris Burns and Close Print Finance Honda’s Craig Fitzpatrick.

For the record

Superbike - top ten times in free practice - Friday
Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) 1m:05.731s
Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.120s
Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.295s
Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.334s
Dan Linfoot (Motorpoint Yamaha) +0.672s
Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.741s
Tommy Bridewell (Quay Garage Honda) +0.770s
John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +0.775s
Andrew Pitt (Motorpoint Yamaha) +0.946s
Chris Walker (Sorrymate.com SMT Honda) +1.038s

Superbike lap record:
Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) 1m 04.688s, 108.63mph (2006)

Superbikes on track
Saturday 17 July
09.35-10.20 free practice
12.20-13.16 Swan Combi Roll for Pole
15.15 Race one - 20 laps
Sunday 18 July
09.15-09.30 warm up practice
12.30 Race two - 22 laps
16.30 Race three - 22 laps

Superbikes on television
British Eurosport 2
Saturday 17 July
15.05-16.00 live raceday
Sunday 18 July
12.25-13.45 and 15.45-18.00 live raceday
22.15-23.45 highlights
(full tv listings www.britishsuperbike.com)

Flashback - Sunday 21 June 2009
Race one - 18 laps
1 L Camier, Yamaha
2 S Easton, Honda
3 J Brookes, Honda
Race two
1 L Camier, Yamaha
2 J Ellison, Yamaha
3 J Brookes, Honda