Andrew Irwin has surged to the top of the times for Honda Racing during a rain-hit FP2 session at Donington Park in preparation for the penultimate round of the B𒆙ennetts British Superbike championship.
Despite dry conditions after FP1’s damp track restrained the 𝔉majority of BSB riders, a sudden downpour hit the circuit almost as soon as the afternoon session began with all riders who ventured out early having to pit immediately for wet tyres.
Andrew Irwin has surged to the top of the times for Honda Racing during a rain-hit FP2 session at Doningꦚton Park in preparation for the penultimate round of the Bennetts British Superbike championship.
Despite dry conditions after FP1’s damp track restrained the majority of BSB riders, a sudden downpour hit the circuit almost as soon𓃲 as the afternoon session began with all riders who ventured out early having to pit immediately for wet tyres.
But once the rain shower passed the Donington Park circuit gradually dried out as the 45-minute session p♚rogressed meaning the fastest times continued until the chequered flag with Irwin taking top spot with a 1m 39.210s.
That put him 0.203s ahead of BSB Showdown contender Peter Hickman on the Smiths Racing BMW, while Taylor Mac꧅ke💮nzie impressed on his BSB comeback in third place as stand-in at Tyco BMW after the team split with Glenn Irwin.
BSB championship leader Scott Redding kept in൲ touch of the front-runners in fourth place for Be Wiser Ducati with Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon and Honda’s Xavi Fores splitting title rival Josh Brookes who ended the session in seventh place on the other Be Wiser Ducati.
Both Joe Francis (Lloyd & Jones BMW) and Ben Currie (Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki) caught the eye aga🔯in in the tricky conditions after showing solid pace in FP1, as OMG Racing Suzuki’s Luke Mossey rounded out the top 10.
Further back BSB Showdown contender Tarran Mackenzie claimed 13th place for McAMS Yamaha with Tommy Bridewell down in 26th place for Oxford Racing Ducati.
FP1 timesheet-topper♌ and final BSB Showdown member Danny Buchan was the only rider not to set a lap time in FP2 on the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki.