By The opening BSB Superbike race at Brands Hatch, proved an absolute thriller with Glenn Irwin throughout contending for honours.
Taking the race lead on lap four, the Honda Racing rider held the No.1 position for seven laps before dropping back to an eventual sixth place finish.
Irwin’s points gap now to ex North West 200 lap record holder Josh Brookes, stands at 21 points. It’s not over till it’s over but clearly the four times North West 200 winner’s task of becoming BSB Champion is gradually becoming more challenging.
Peter Hickman’s first of three final race stints with Smiths Racing, saw him finish a solid 13th whilst ON1 Racing’s Brian McCormack secured a top 20 finish.
BSB support classes wise, leading performances from seasoned, top calibre racers with road race experience a plenty included Molson Group British Sidecars race 1 victor Tim Reeves, respective fourth, ninth place finishers Lewis Blackstock/Patrick Rosney and Lee Crawford/Scott Hardie.
Ashcourt Racing’s Lee Johnston who battled his way to sixth within the opening British Supersport encounter, Alastair Seeley placed 13th overall, fifth in terms of GP2 class racers and Immingham’s Craig Neve was a top six finisher in the 10 lap Ducati TriOptions Cup race.
Photo by Tommy Vennard
Standout roads forces from National Superstock 1000 qualifying included racing returnees Michael Rutter (Bathams Racing) and Conor Cummins (Milenco by Padgetts), 12th, 16th quickest respectively.
Reigning IRRC Superbike Champion Davey Todd qualified 22nd, the aforementioned Craig Neve was 26th quickest with Dafabet Devitt Racing’s Rob Hodson finishing 29th fastest.
BSB series final day 2 wrap up article concludes with us at Road Racing News, wishing Binch Racing’s Adam McLean a very speedy recovery, having sustained a broken arm from an incident at Druids Corner during timed National Superstock 600 Championship qualifying.
Words by Stevie Rial
