Karl Harris hit the top of the timesheets in first free practice for the latest round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at
Oulton Park.
The Rob Mac Racing Yamaha rider went fastest with just over half the session gone, his lap of 1min 37.530secs enough to keep him in place until the chequered flag came out.
Although Harris was relatively safe up top, the drying circuit meant the positions just behind were constantly changing. Nonetheless, it was championship leader Shane Byrne – a double winner at Oulton Park earlier this year – that emerged second fastest on the Airwaves Ducati.
Cal Crutchlow led the way early on before slipping to third, the HM Plant rider ensuring three different manufacturers filled the top three positions.
Byrne's team-mate Leon Camier finished just behind in fourth, ahead of Rizla Suzuki rider Tom Sykes and Leon Haslam. James Ellison was seventh fastest, ahead of Tristan Palmer on the Tena for Men Honda.
Mallory Park winner Michael Rutter was ninth best, while Simon Andrews rounded out the top ten positions.
