Tommy Hill will start this afternoon's opening British Superbike race from pole position after smashing the lap record on the Brands Hatch GP circuit. The Swan Yamaha rider enters this weekend as the man in form, winning three of the last four races, and is well placed to continue that streak later today.
Hill's record lap secured pole position although John Hopkins came close to pipping him, finishing 0.047s behind in second. Michael Laverty was the fastest man in Q1 but couldn't match teammate Hill when it mattered and will start third. Joan Lascorz will complete a mouth-watering front row as the Kawasaki World Superbike team look to make their presence felt on their annual summer wildcard appearance.
Championship leader Shane 'Shakey' Byrne will start from the second row in fifth with the two Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducatis for company. Surprisingly though, it's Martin Jessopp who was the quicker of the two to qualify sixth with Michael Rutter seventh.
James Westmoreland qualified eighth on the sole Motorpoint Yamaha. The Yorkshireman will be upholding team honours on his own after Loris Baz's departure earlier in the week. Gary Mason has a good chance to boost his title hopes from ninth while Graeme Gowland leads the EVO class in tenth.
Mason's hopes of breaking into the top six have been aided after a number of his rivals struggled. Josh Brookes, currently sixth overall, will have to start race one from 13th while Jon Kirkham will also have work to do from 16th. Reigning champion Ryuichi Kiyonari will have to come from either further back after a miserable session left him 18th.
Qualifying Result:
| Pos | Rider | Nat | Bike | Team | Lap Time |
| 1 | Tommy Hill | GBR | Yamaha | Swan Yamaha | 1:25.357 |
| 2 | John Hopkins | USA | Suzuki | Samsung Crescent Racing | 1:25.404 |
| 3 | Michael Laverty | GBR | Yamaha | Swan Yamaha | 1:25.601 |
| 4 | Joan Lascorz (WC) | SPA | Kawasaki | Kawasaki World Superbike Team | 1:25.827 |
| 5 | Shane Byrne | GBR | Honda | HM Plant Honda | 1:25.936 |
| 6 | Martin Jessopp | GBR | Ducati | Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati | 1:25.987 |
| 7 | Michael Rutter | GBR | Ducati | Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati | 1:26.180 |
| 8 | James Westmoreland | GBR | Yamaha | Motorpoint Yamaha | 1:26.208 |
| 9 | Gary Mason | GBR | Kawasaki | MSS Colchester Kawasaki | 1:26.485 |
| 10 | Graeme Gowland (E) | GBR | Honda | Team WFR | 1:26.683 |
| Eliminated in Q2 | |||||
| 11 | Broc Parkes (WC) | AUS | Kawasaki | Kawasaki World Superbike Team | 1:26.270 |
| 12 | James Ellison | GBR | Honda | Team Sorrymate.com | 1:26.311 |
| 13 | Josh Brookes | AUS | Suzuki | Relentless Suzuki by TAS | 1:26.366 |
| 14 | Chris Walker | GBR | Kawasaki | Pr1mo Racing | 1:26.434 |
| 15 | Peter Hickman | GBR | Honda | Tyco Honda | 1:26.466 |
| 16 | Jon Kirkham | GBR | Suzuki | Samsung Crescent Racing | 1:26.484 |
| 17 | Alex Lowes | GBR | Kawasaki | MSS Colchester Kawasaki | 1:26.508 |
| 18 | Ryuichi Kiyonari | JAP | Honda | HM Plant Honda | 1:26.523 |
| 19 | Ian Lowry | GBR | BMW | Buildbase BMW Motorrad | 1:26.688 |
| 20 | Glen Richards (E) | AUS | Honda | Team WFR | 1:27.004 |
| Eliminated in Q1 | |||||
| 21 | Barry Burrell (E) | GBR | BMW | Buildbase BMW Motorrad | 1:27.450 |
| 22 | Karl Harris | GBR | Aprilia | Splitlath Motorsport | 1:27.565 |
| 23 | Patric Muff (E) | SWI | Honda | Tyco Honda | 1:27.605 |
| 24 | Jake Zemke (E) | USA | Honda | Team WFR | 1:28.449 |
| 25 | Scott Smart (E) | GBR | Ducati | Moto Rapido Ducati | 1:28.833 |
| 26 | Aaron Zanotti (E) | GBR | BMW | Quattro Plant Spike Racing | 1:28.891 |
| 27 | Dan Kneen (E) | GBR | Kawasaki | Marks Bloom Racing | 1:29.729 |
| 28 | Hudson Kennaugh (E) | RSA | Aprilia | Splitlath Motorsport | 1:30.715 |
| 29 | Matteo Mossa (E) | ITA | Suzuki | 777RR Motorsport | 1:32.146 |
