British Superbikes: Josh Brookes snatches pole for Race 1 at Brands Hatch by 0.6 seconds

The 2015 champion, riding for Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha, streaked to top spot - his first of the season - by 0.6secs despite Shane Byrne setting a record time in practice earlier in the morning.

The Australian was fastest in the first section of qualifying – that was delayed by around 20 minutes because of rain – before five-time champion Byrne topped the times in Q2. However, Brookes hit back in a fraught final session, and saw off the early challenge of Peter Hickman.

Dan Linfoot and Luke Mossey also bettered the Smiths Racing BMW rider's time to claim the final two spots on the front row.

Mossey leads the championship standings by seven points from Byrne and 15 points from Kawasaki team-mate Leon Haslam.

Race 1 is at 13.15 on Sunday, with Race 2 at 16.15.

1. Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 1m:35.198s

2. Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.658s

3. Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.667s

4. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.702s

5. John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.822s

6. Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.971s

7. James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +1.180s

8. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.633s

9. James Westmoreland (Gearlink Kawasaki) +1.962s