Simon Andrews got his Cadwell Park weekend off to a flying start by topping the opening free practice for the MSS Colchester Kawasaki team as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship kicked off the Bank Holiday weekend in Lincolnshire.

Andrews took the advantage with eight minutes remaining of the session, to claim the top spot from Tommy Hill who had held the fastest time from the half-way point. MSS Colchester Kawasaki team manager Nick Morgan was ecstatic in the garage as the final seconds ticked away as they topped a session for the first time this season.

Worx Crescent Suzuki's Hill though dropped to third in the final 30 seconds as Ryuichi Kiyonari came within 0.037s of Andrews' fastest time. Gary Mason made it two MSS Colchester Kawasakis in the top five as he set the fourth fastest time, having run second early in the opening session ahead of Michael Rutter.

High-flying HM Plant Honda's Josh Brookes had led the way early in the session, but he later dropped back to sixth, ahead of title rival Michael Laverty and the leading Swan Honda of Stuart Easton.

Buildbase Kawasaki's John Laverty was ninth ahead of Alastair Seeley who rounded out the top ten on the second of the Relentless Suzukis.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, free practice one:

Simon Andrews (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) 1m:28.589s
Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +0.037s
Tommy Hill (Worx Crescent Suzuki) +0.057s
Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +0.185s
Michael Rutter (Ridersmotorcycles.com Ducati) +0.202s
Josh Brookes (HM Plant Honda) +0.211s
Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +0.551s
Stuart Easton (Swan Honda) +0.717s
John Laverty (Buildbase Kawasaki) +1.013s
Alastair Seeley (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +1.278s
The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is the Showdown decider at Cadwell Park this Bank Holiday weekend (28/29/30 August). For more information visit www.cadwellpark.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000.