Swan Honda all set for Brands Hatch qualifying
The Swan Honda team had a positive second day of free practice at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship today, with both James Ellison and Stuart Easton now feeling confident ahead of tomorrow's Swan Roll for Pole qualifying session.
Ellison ended the third free practice session in third just 0.191 seconds off the fastest lap time, running on old tyres as he continued to make changes to the traction control which saw his times tumble in the afternoon. Easton also used the afternoon to run a longer stint, completing 40 laps, and despite his injury he feels ready to up the pace in tomorrow's qualifying session.
Ellison said: "This morning was a bit of a no go because the conditions were so changeable, but this afternoon it was dry and we were really able to pick up the pace. We made a change to the rear linkage and that gave us more traction. We have been getting the traction control dialled out trying to find the limit and with each change we have been going faster, so we have made good progress in that area. We did long stints this afternoon using the same tyre and my best time came on the 20th lap so that shows the potential. I am having so much fun on the Swan Honda and my times are already better than what I did here last year so I am definitely feeling happy."
Easton said: "It was good to be back out on the Swan Honda and I used the same tyre all day as I wasn't going for lap times. I only did eight laps this morning, but I did 40 laps this afternoon and posted some respectable times, which has really given me a confidence boost ahead of tomorrow. My leg has held up well today and it has been bearable, so that has pleased me as you never know what it will be like until you actually get out on track and ride. We have a few changes to make to the balance of the Swan Honda which should help us in certain parts of the track and with new rubber we will see a real improvement tomorrow."
