Rain stops play whilst Haslam sets the pace.

Just as the undulating Brands Hatch race track was drying out well enough for the lap times to fall, the British weather kicked in and rain ended the session with three minutes to go. Leon "Pocket Rocket" Haslam on his Airwaves Ducati was leading the way with time of 46.318secs.

The Ducati of Haslam just eased HM Plant Honda's Karl Harris into second place by 0.019secs, with current Superbike Champion Gregorio Lavilla in third.

The Stobart Honda pairing of Michael Rutter and Michael Laverty were fourth and seventh respectively. The team spent a lot of time testing in Spain and both Michaels are confident with the team and the machinery. At the BSB Launch Rutter joked that the main reason he took the Stobart ride was Paul Bird promised him a Cameo role in Coronation Street! Both Rutter and Bird have been spotted supping pints in the Rovers during this weeks Corrie.

The Hawk Kawasaki team of Dean Thomas and Craig Coxhill were lapping in twelfth and thirteenth respectively. This is their first outing today as they opted to sit out the wet session this morning rather than risk a crash.

Glen Richards on the Hydrex Honda was running in an impressive sixth place, once again they are a team that have had limited preseason testing. Gary Mason his team-mate was eleventh, speaking with Crash.net at the BSB Launch he said he was really happy with his new team and felt that every body had simply gelled.

BSB free practice(2)results - Brands Hatch:

1. Leon Haslam
2. Karl Harris
3. Greogrio Lavilla
4. Michael Rutter
5. Johnny Rea
6. Glen Richards
7. Michael Laverty
8. Ryuichi Kiyonari
9. James Haydon
10. Shane Byrne

Louise Cain