Parkes recorded a 1min 32.5secs to keep Hannspree Ten Kate Honda's WSS rider Andrew Pitt from the top spot by 0.3secs. Pitt's new team-mate and WSS class rookie Jonathan Rea scored a superb third best time, just 0.1secs further back, on his Ten Kate debut and despite a long lay off recovering from surgery.
Stiggy Honda's home rider Josh Brookes secured an impressive fourth at a track he has won on in WSS wild-card guise, while the progress of the Triumph Caracchi squad raised eyebrows. The 675ccc three-cylinder machine, in the hands of the vastly experienced Garry McCoy, went fifth fastest at the former 500cc and WSBK race winner's home track, ahead of names such as Fabien Foret, Chris Walker, Katsuaki Fujiwara and Robbin Harms.
Walker and Fujiwara were having their first test against their 2008 opposition at PI. Fujiwara is new to the GIL Kawasaki team, but Walker is new to Supersport racing in any form, making his 1min 36.6secs - equal to the best set by former world champion Foret (Yamaha WSSP) - a respectable start to his latest racing adventure.
