Glenn Irwin delivered an imperious performance to strike back and win the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at Brands Hatch, halving Tommy Bridewell’s advantage to 5.5 points ahead of the race three decider.
Jason O’Halloran, sporting a special livery to mark the McAMS Yamaha team’s final races in Bennetts BSB initially hit the front of the pack from the Omologato Pole Position, but Irwin was immediately on the attack. Knowing that he needed to close the gap to Bridewell in the standings, Irwin didn’t hesitate to make a bold move on O’Halloran at Druids to take an early lead.
Saturday’s winner Kyle Ryde was another early mover on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha, following Irwin past O’Halloran to take second place. Bridewell was down in sixth with Christian Iddon and Leon Haslam between him and the leading trio on the opening lap.
At the front, Ryde was pressuring Irwin throughout the lap, but Irwin was determined to maintain his position. There was nothing between the leading riders though with Irwin, Ryde, O’Halloran and Bridewell in contention for the podium.
On lap five, O’Halloran made a decisive pass on Ryde for second place at Paddock Hill Bend, but the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider fought back in determined style at Druids to try to hold on. The Australian made another attempt at Surtees however and this time made it stick. With those two scrapping for position, Bridewell was able to edge closer as the fight at the front transformed into a four-way scrap.
With the leading four title contenders all keeping each other in check on track, this opened the door for Christian Iddon to start gaining on them. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider’s quest for the podium was short lived however as he crashed out at Druids on lap eight and this prompted a BMW Safety Car intervention.
When the race resumed at full speed on lap 11 Irwin continuing to hold the lead at the front from O’Halloran. The latter’s hunt for victory ended dramatically at Surtees however, as he crashed the McAMS Yamaha in dramatic style.
Bridewell began to pressure Ryde for second and an attempted pass that didn’t quite stick at Hawthorn on lap 13 was followed two laps later by a pass at Paddock Hill Bend. Ryde tried to fight back at the start of lap 16, first into Paddock Hill Bend and then again on the brakes at Druids. The move didn’t quite work though and the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha rider was forced wide and lost ground.
This left the BeerMonster Ducatis to have an edge at the front, but the title rivals who’ve been inseparable on the track all year long continued to match each other. Bridewell continued to pile on the pressure for the remaining laps, but had to settle for second as Irwin crossed the line ahead.
The result means that Bridewell enters the final race of the year at Brands Hatch this afternoon 5.5 points ahead of Irwin and knowing that a repeat of this result will be enough to become champion. Ryde took third to ensure he remains in mathematical contention, 30 points behind Bridewell with only 35 remaining.
Ryan Vickers finished fourth whilst Lee Jackson and Leon Haslam saw their title hopes end despite strong runs to fifth and sixth. Max Cook, Josh Brookes, Peter Hickman and Storm Stacey rounded out the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.274s
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +1.132s
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +1.568s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +5.598s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) +5.674s
- Max Cook (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +5.849s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +6.829s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +8.786s
- Storm Stacey (Starline Racing Kawasaki) +10.489s
For the full race result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 425
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 419.5
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 395
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 360.5
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 347.5
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 347
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 326
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 286
For the full standings please click here