It was normal service resumed in the second of Friday's two British Supersport free practice sessions at Brands Hatch, with newly-crowned champion Cal Crutchlow setting the pace.

The Northpoint Ekerold Honda ace, evidently keen to sign off on a high after wrapping the title up at Silverstone two weeks ago, lapped almost half a second quicker than Red Bull Honda star Eugene Laverty around the challenging GP circuit. Tom Sykes, Laverty's key rival for the runner-up spot in the end-of-season standings, was third, though nearly two seconds adrift in the tricky conditions.

Supersport Cup winner Pete Spalding was once more right up at the sharp end of proceedings in fourth for Centurion Racing, ahead of reigning champion and Crutchlow's team-mate Leon Camier and Padgetts Honda star Dennis Hobbs.

Tommy Bridewell, Kieran Murphy, Aaron Walker and Steve Plater filled out the remaining top ten positions, with Luke Quigley – newly promoted from the National Superstock Championship – a strong 12th, just ahead of fellow Lloyds British Ducati rider Martin Jessopp.

Road racers Guy Martin and Ryan Farquhar slipped back after their impressive morning showing, the former dropping from 12th to 14th and the latter from 15th down to 26th.



BSS free practice results (2) – Brands Hatch:

1. Cal Crutchlow
2. Eugene Laverty
3. Tom Sykes
4. Pete Spalding
5. Leon Camier
6. Dennis Hobbs
7. Tommy Bridewell
8. Kieran Murphy
9. Aaron Walker
10. Steve Plater