Martin from Chili in Brands Superpole.

Steve Martin set the fastest lap in the World Superbike Superpole session at Brands Hatch today, his time nearly one second quicker than his previous best so far this weekend.

Pierfrancesco Chili proved Martin's nearest challenger, while Regis Laconi and Noriyuki Haga completed an all Ducati front row for tomorrow's two races.

Championship leader James Toseland ran onto the rumble strip at the bottom of Pilgrim's Drop - and was nearly thrown from his factory spec 999 - but managed to hold on to take 12th place on the grid.

Fellow Brit Chris Walker will start the race from 13th position, with the injured Leon Haslam in tenth.

British Superbike privateer James Ellison put on a great show at his home round and recorded the ninth fastest time. Ellison will start the races on Sunday as the highest
placed Brit.

Leon Haslam's Renegade Ducati seemed to be smoking during his Superpole lap, and subsequently only managed to go tenth quickest.

Haslam must have known something was wrong because the injured Brit lifted off and pulled over as soon as he crossed the line.

Giovanni Bussei had troubles on his warm-up lap and had to abandon his Superpole lap.

Superpole positions

1. Martin
2. Chili
3. Laconi
4. Haga
5. Corser
6. Borciani
7. Vermeulen
8. Nannelli
9. Ellison
10. Haslam
11. Pedercini
12. Toseland
13. Walker
14. Sanchini
15. Bontempi
16. Bussei