Mason Johnson held off Nikki Coates to power to the fastest lap in today’s qualifying session at Circuito de Navarra ahead of this afternoon’s Heat races.

With a best lap of 1min 47.054secs, Johnson grabbed the Heat One pole, as Coates secured the lead spot for Heat Two, just 0.056secs off Johnson’s time.

Christian Smith, who led first practice, was fourth, just ahead of pre-season favourite and 2023 runner-up Thomas Strudwick as Robert Varey was fifth.

ABK Beer 0% BMW Motorrad F 900 R Cup, Qualifying result:

1.    Mason Johnson (Johnson Racing) 1min 47.054s
2.    Nikki Coates (Team Art of Racing/Ernie Coates Trackdays) +0.056s
3.    Christian Smith (SCH Motoprep/Bathams Racing) +0.059s
4.    Thomas Strudwick (Case Moto BMW) +0.342s
5.    Robert Varey (Stanford Fastline) + 0.695s