TOMMY Hill defied the odds to set a blistering pace at Croft ahead of this weekend's races in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship.

Hill, of the Guisborough-based Swan Yamaha team, was only passed fit to race yesterday morning after suffering shoulder ligament damage when he crashed out in the warm-up ahead of the last round at Oulton Park.

He missed both races there and has undergone an exhaustive period of rehabilitation in order to race at his team's home event.

Despite some having described tomorrow's races at the Darlington circuit as a ‘damage limitation' exercise in Hill's pursuit of the title, the Lingfield rider left absolutely nothing in the tank in setting the fastest time come the end of free practice.

With Michael Rutter of the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati team looking like finishing the day as top dog, Hill upstaged him, crossing the line in 1m 20.763secs, 0.043secs faster than the man from Leicestershire and at an average speed of almost 95mph.

"It has been a fantastic start to the weekend, but I have to keep reminding myself that I am riding injured," said Hill afterwards. "I have been riding at maybe something like 85 per cent as I don't want to push it too hard and crash, which could undo all my hard work between Oulton Park and here and jeopardise the next round."

Fifth in the overall standings after two meetings, Hill could have arguably rested up this weekend and still made the end of season Shootout.

But that is not for Hill.

"I am currently struggling in the Complex (part of the circuit), but the Swan Yamaha team have worked hard to get me as comfortable as possible out there," he said.

"People might ask why I am riding here, but I don't want to miss out - I have a fantastic package with the team and the Swan Yamaha and I need to do everything I can to be out there scoring points.

"We are happy though at the end of day one and to be fastest was definitely more than I expected from today."

Hill's team-mate, Michael Laverty, had also led the way early yesterday, and finished the sessions third fastest behind Rutter.

"We have been consistently quick in both sessions, so I know we have the pace to be up there in the races on Sunday," said the Northern Irishman. "We have been working well and know we need to make some more adjustments to the suspension tomorrow in the final free practice ready for qualifying.

"Once we have made those changes we will feel more comfortable over the bumps and ready for the race."

Laverty finished just ahead of MSS Colchester Kawasaki rider Stuart Easton, who was victorious at Croft two years ago.

Loris Baz, the French teenager on the Motorpoint Yamaha bike, was fifth fastest, with John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Suzuki), the first American to win a BSB race at the last round, sixth.

James Westmoreland (Motorpoint Yamaha) was seventh and Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki) eighth.

Championship leader, Shane ‘Shakey' Byrne trailed back in ninth, but less than a second separated the top ten riders.

The HM Plant Honda rider worked hard to resolve set-up issues and said: "It's Friday the 13th and I have to say I am very happy to get through today incident-free.

"It hasn't been a bad day for us and we have good speed, but we still need to make some refinements before qualifying."

Reigning champion and Byrne's team-mate, Ryuichi Kiyonari, was back in 15th.

Qualifying takes place today in between a whole host of support races, with the main event taking place tomorrow.

For ticket information contact the circuit on 01325-721815.