2021 British Superbike Championship
Round Three Brands Hatch

Images by David Yeomans and BSB

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British Superbike

Three different riders claimed victories in the third round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend, with wins for Tarran Mackenzie, Jason O’Halloran and Christian Iddon. Mackenzie was also crowned as the Monster Energy King of Brands as the series welcomed fans back to the Kent circuit in unrestricted numbers.

Mackenzie became the fourth different race winner of 2021 in the BikeSocial race on Saturday, before his McAMS Yamaha teammate O’Halloran bounced back from his tough opening race in race two this morning.

Jason O’Halloran crashed out in qualifying and he had to fight his way through to fifth in race one, but a second row start in the following race gave O’Halloran a fighting chance and he duly delivered his fourth race win of the season in the second bout.

Iddon then returned fire in the third and final race of the weekend to extend his championship points lead over O’Halloran out to six-points.

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2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 1

Tarran Mackenzie became the fourth different race winner of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this afternoon as the McAMS Yamaha rider held off the challenge from his rivals in the opening race of the weekend.

Mackenzie fired the McAMS Yamaha off the pole position to take the lead in the 12-lap restarted race, ahead of Bradley Ray and Christian Iddon with Danny Buchan fourth, ahead of Tommy Bridewell, who didn’t get the launch he wanted off the line, in fifth.

Iddon was pushing hard in his quest to extend his advantage at the top of the times and by the end of lap two, he had moved into second. Bridewell was also cutting his way through the pack after his poor start and he was shadowing Iddon by the fourth before making a decisive move at Surtees to move into second position.

Bridewell then chased Mackenzie, but the McAMS Yamaha rider just had the edge to the chequered flag with the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider forced to settle for second. Iddon was able to claim the final podium position though to extend his advantage over Jason O’Halloran in the standings.

Buchan was in the fight for the podium positions but he just missed out for SYNETIQ BMW in fourth place, however just behind him, O’Halloran had delivered a heroic effort to move up the order from his sixth row grid start to finish in the top five.

Lee Jackson led the FS-3 Kawasaki team charge in sixth place, pushing Ray back into seventh on the Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW. Rory Skinner held on to eighth place after a tough race from his front row starting position to finish ahead of defending champion Josh Brookes.

Danny Kent completed the top ten for Buildbase Suzuki, nudging Glenn Irwin into eleventh for Honda Racing.

2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 1 Results

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2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 2

Danny Buchan initially took the lead from pole position into Paddock Hill Bend at the start of race two, from Mackenzie and Iddon. The latter was in an attacking mood on his VisionTrack Ducati as he moved into second at Hawthorns on the opening lap.

A moment for Mackenzie at Westfield dropped him back into fifth, whilst O’Halloran moved towards the front, taking the lead with a decisive move at Stirlings. Iddon also piled the pressure on SYNETIQ BMW’s Buchan and on the sixth lap; he made his move into Paddock Hill Bend.

Tommy Bridewell carved his way up the order after losing out off the line and he was soon threatening for a podium position too. By half race distance, the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider was into second. Iddon fought back to reclaim the position but Bridewell was determined and soon back ahead.

Bridewell chased down O’Halloran, however despite getting within striking distance; he ended second to score his fourth podium of the season as the McAMS Yamaha team claimed its second win of the weekend.

The battle for the final podium position went down to the wire with Buchan holding third ahead of the final five laps. Behind him however, race one winner Mackenzie was aiming to make amends for his earlier moment, charging through late on to pass both Iddon and Buchan to steal the final place on the podium.

Buchan was then under pressure from Iddon as he made a final attack over the closing laps to try and claim fourth position. Despite the pair trading blows on the penultimate lap, Buchan had the edge at the chequered flag.

Rory Skinner was able to lead the FS-3 Kawasaki charge in sixth place ahead of teammate Lee Jackson. They had a comfortable margin over Glenn Irwin, Peter Hickman and Gino Rea who completed the top ten.

2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 2 Results

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2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 3

The initial race start was declared wet, but as conditions continued to change there were a variety of tyre choices throughout the grid. As the race got underway Josh Brookes launched to the head of the field from 16th place, sixth row starting position, having opted for wet option on both front and rear.

The defending champion has been relishing the damp conditions this weekend and he headed the pack from O’Halloran, Buchan and Gino Rea. The VisionTrack Ducati gapped the field initially, but by lap five the conditions had started to change and Buchan had moved into the lead.

Buchan the took advantage of his intermediate rear and wet front combination to lead from the front as the SYNETIQ BMW rider bridged the gap on Brookes who was soon under attack from his teammate Iddon.

Iddon’s choice of an intermediate front and slick rear was coming into play and he was charging through the order as he moved into second and was hunting Buchan on a drying track. However a blow up from Rea brought out the red flag and it would be a seven-lap sprint to decide the final winner of the weekend.

The restarted race was declared dry and Buchan launched into the lead ahead of Glenn Irwin and Iddon, with the pair wasting no time in making their moves on the opening lap. Iddon had hit the front of the pack, but Buchan regained second place with Irwin in third.

Tarran Mackenzie though was firing his way through the order and despite running seventh on the opening lap, he climbed quickly into the lead group.

As the race reached its final three laps, Iddon was still ahead with Buchan shadowing his every move with a resurgent Brookes holding third place. Mackenzie moved into the final podium position placing on the fifth lap with a move into Paddock Hill Bend.

At the front, Buchan grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap, with a lunge down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend, but as the pair approached Druids, Iddon had reclaimed the position.

On the final lap, appeared to have the edge, but it was all change as a determined Iddon returned to the front and was able to make it stick. He was then under fire from Mackenzie, who had broken through into second with a move on Buchan, which put him in the pound seat to become the Monster Energy King of Brands.

O’Halloran hadn’t given up hope on a return to the podium either and the Australian was also able to pull a pass on Buchan to move into third on the final lap. Buchan crossed the line in fourth place ahead of Brookes, who claimed his best result of the season in fifth.

Glenn Irwin held sixth place, fending off Peter Hickman and Lee Jackson, with Rory Skinner and Danny Kent completed the top ten.

2021 BSB Brands Hatch – Race 3 Results

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BSB Quotes

Christian Iddon

“I was a bit disappointed after the first race where I struggled a bit for grip in the second half of the race but everything was looking good in the second as my tyre choice was really coming into their own. I was really wound up after the red flag came out and determined that the re-start was going to be mine. In such a short race, I didn’t have to worry about tyre life and I could just go for it which is exactly what I did! It was an amazing race and I was surprised at the pace we were all going at but I’m just glad I was able to get the job done, keep my lead in the championship and pick up a good haul of podium credits.”

Tarran Mackenzie

“I got a get out of jail free card in the third race with the stop because I was nowhere, 13th or 14th before that, way behind everyone! I was lucky with that. I knew I was starting 12th and slicks was the way forward and whether it was a good or bad thing I had the mentality just to go for it. I had a really good first lap and good start and just picked off pretty much one rider a lap then got behind Danny and Christian with a couple laps to go. I couldn’t quite get past Danny but on the last lap I got a really good run onto the back straight and I just didn’t shut off until he did. I got it stopped then chased Christian to the last few corners, it’s hard to pass on the last part of the circuit and Christian rode a great last lap so it was always going to be tough to pass him. So to turn it around from almost not even scoring points to a podium and getting the Bennetts Rider of the Weekend Award and the Monster Energy King of Brands – that is really cool. I turned my day around this last race so I’m looking forward to Thruxton now.”

Josh Brookes

“The day didn’t start well at all but ended a lot more positively and we can definitely take away a few good things from the second race – fifth isn’t where I want to be finishing obviously but given where we’ve been at, it’s a start. The bike clearly works well in the wet but in the seven lap dash, I was able to lap comfortably quicker than I have done all weekend so we definitely found something in the dry. The SCX tyre is still making the front feel bad but something changed and I was able to lap in the 1’25s bracket which was more satisfying. I’m taking it day by day at the moment but it’s nice to end the weekend on a positive note.”

Glenn Irwin

“It was a positive weekend in terms of points, especially today where we narrowed the Showdown gap a bit and moved up a position in the championship. I’m satisfied and today I think we overachieved, right now we don’t have the package underneath us to fight in the top-eight in normal conditions over a race distance. The boys deserved the points we got, we are having some problems with chatter and my feeling is if we can get to the bottom of this we’ll be back in the hunt and at the front again. But whilst we have it we’re restricted with our progress. I’m feeling so much better physically, which is another positive to take away.”

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2021 British Superbike Championship Points

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British Supersport/GP2 Race 1

Kyle Smith took the maiden win for the new Dynavolt Triumph team in the Quattro British Supersport sprint race at Brands Hatch. Launching off the line, Smith took full control of the race, enjoy a 1.5s lead by half race distance, however a fast-charging Jack Kennedy put a string of fast laps towards the end, closing the gap to 0.3s by the flag.

Eunan McGlinchey completed the podium with third, ahead of the two GP2 machines of Mason Law and Charlie Nesbitt. Ben Currie was sixth, with Horsman, Irwin, Scott and Jones rounding out the top ten.

British Supersport/GP2 Race 1 Results

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British Supersport/GP2 Race 2

Jack Kennedy strengthened his lead at the top of the Quattro Group British Supersport Championship with a dominant win in the Feature race. The initial race was red flagged due to rain, and on the restart it was Ben Currie who grabbed the holeshot but Kennedy had found a way through by the end of the opening lap. Slowly pulling away from the pursuing pack, Kennedy mastered the conditions to take the win by 3.341s.

It was an action-packed race behind him though as Currie, Eunan McGlinchey, Kyle Smith and Charlie Nesbitt battled for the final rostrum positions. Smith took second with two laps to go to edge away from the Gearlink Kawasaki duo, leaving a last lap battle for the final podium spot, with McGlinchey able to clinch it.

Charlie Nesbitt was the first of the GP2 machines, sixth overall, with Law and Jones joining him on the podium.

British Supersport/GP2 Race 2 Results

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British Supersport Championship Standings

British  GP2 Championship Standings

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Pirelli National Superstock Race 1

Luke Mossey returned to the top step of the podium in the opening Pirelli National Superstock race, taking victory by 3.476s. Launching off the line, Luke led over the line at the end of the opening lap and was able to cruise away to take the win.

Knockhill winner Fraser Rogers was second, ahead of Taylor Mackenzie in third. Keith Farmer took fourth, battling hard with Alex Olsen and Billy McConnell for much of the race, that pair finished fifth and sixth respectively.

South Australian Levi Day finished 11th just in front of countryman Brayden Elliott while Kiwis Damon Rees and Shane Richardson finished 16-17.

Pirelli National Superstock Race 1 Results

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Pirelli National Superstock Race 2

Alex Olsen took victory in a dramatic second Pirelli National Superstock race at Brands Hatch, beating Fraser Rogers by 0.579s. Race one winner Luke Mossey was the early race leader, but disaster would strike mid-race when he was forced to retire from the race.

This left Rogers at the front of the field, but a fast-charging Olsen moved through with three laps to go. Billy McConnell completed the podium ahead of Taylor Mackenzie, Tom Ward and Chrissy Rouse.

Pirelli National Superstock Race 2 Results

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Pirelli National Superstock Championship Standings

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Pirelli National Junior Superstock Race

Joe Talbot took victory in a thrilling Pirelli National Junior Superstock race, narrowly beating Jack Nixon. It was Nixon who was the early race leader, battling with Talbot throughout the opening half of the race. With the dicing duo separated by less than a tenth of a second, George Stanley was able to steadily close in, setting the fastest lap of the race in the process.

As the riders entered the final few laps it looked set to be a three rider battle, however a red flag brought proceedings to an early finish, seeing Talbot take the win ahead of Nixon and Stanley.

Australian Seth Crump recorded a DNF.

Pirelli National Junior Superstock Race Results

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Pirelli National Junior Superstock Championship Standings

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British Talent Cup Race 1

Carter Brown (City Lifting/RS Racing) took his first Honda British Talent Cup win of the season in Race 1 at Brands Hatch, duelling teammate Evan Belford throughout the 14-lap showdown and coming out on top by the flag. What started as a duel gained some company late on, however, with James Cook (Wilson Racing) managing to cut down a sizeable gap to arrive at the fight for victory and ultimately complete the podium for his first rostrum finish of the year.

At lights out it was Belford away best and the number 52 took the holeshot, with Brown slotting into second as fellow front row starter Lucas Brown (Amphibian Scaffolding / SP125 Racing) lost out a few places. Johnny Garness (City Lifting/RS Racing) got away well to take over in third, with Cook taking fourth early on.

At the front, the front duo were streaking away early but if Belford had looked ominous, Brown was right with him – and took the lead on Lap 1. That didn’t last long, however, as Belford struck back at Paddock Hill Bend next time round, beginning what would become a race-long duel for the win.

Meanwhile, Cook wasn’t into clear air. A good start for Sullivan Mounsey (iForce Lloyd & Jones) saw him strike for fourth, and then Ryan Hitchcock (Wilson Racing) got in on the action as he went on the attack. Cook was able to break clear and then get on terms with Garness, however, the number 34 then past the number 57 and setting off on his mission to close down the duel in the lead.

That left Hitchcock and Garness duelling for fourth, with Mounsey fading ever so slightly to head a huge group fight for sixth place.

As the laps ticked on, Cook’s gap to the leading duo came down and with two to go the blue Wilson Racing machine was very much back in contention for the win. It didn’t take long for a move to come either as Belford suffered a wobble and Cook struck. Heading onto the last lap it was Brown heading Cook heading Belford, but all would change before the flag.

Belford was on a charge and moved into second before taking the lead at the very next corner, straight back into the driving seat with two moves at two apexes. But Brown wasn’t done and the number 74 wasted little time slicing back through for first, heading the three-rider train coming out the final corner.

It was just 0.070 over the line but Brown kept it and with it his first Honda British Talent Cup win, putting to bed some bad luck from Knockhill in the process. Belford was forced to settle for second but nevertheless extended his points lead at the top of the standings, now over 30 points clear, with Cook losing out in the last lap battle but taking his first rostrum of the season in third, only two tenths from victory.

Hitchcock took fourth from Garness, that duel split by just 0.085, with Cormac Buchanan (Microlise Cresswell Racing) taking sixth after breaking away from the fight behind. That fight was headed by Mounsey as he got another good points haul after a tough Knockhill, defeating Jamie Lyons (C&M Motors Ltd/Tooltec Racing) by just 0.062 for seventh.

Ollie Walker (Moto Rapido / SP125 Racing), Harrison Crosby (Banks Racing) and Rossi Banham (MJL Racing) were close behind to complete that group fight, locking out ninth to P11.

British Talent Cup Race 1 Results

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British Talent Cup Race 2

Evan Belford (City Lifting/RS Racing) took his third win of the year in Race 2 at Brands Hatch, the number 52 coming out on top after a race-long duel against Wilson Racing’s James Cook. Cook lost out on his first win by just 0.061 but takes another podium in second, with Johnny Garness (City Lifting/RS Racing) completing the rostrum after another battle decided by almost nothing.

Belford took the holeshot despite launching from fourth, the number 52 bolting away early as Cook just about held on in second to start giving chase. And thus began the duel that lasted the whole race, with the two glued together from thereon out.

Behind, Garness was third ahead of Carter Brown (City Lifting/RS Racing), with Sullivan Mounsey (iForce Lloyd & Jones) having another strong start on Sunday to slot into fifth. Ryan Hitchcock (Wilson Racing) was the rider shuffled back, going from the front row to the back of that fight.

At the front, the duel raged on and Cook struck for the lead early, but Belford found an answer – as he did from then on. Coming onto the final lap, the two were neck and neck over the line and Cook came out of Paddock Hill Bend ahead, but Belford struck back down the back straight. Approaching the final corner Cook went for a tight line as Belford defended with all his might, and it came down to a drag to the line and another incredibly close finish – with Belford taking it by just 0.061.

The fight for third became a four-rider battle and drag to the line too, with Garness coming out on top by a tenth. Race 1 winner Carter Brown was therefore forced to settle for fourth, with Ryan Hitchcock (Wilson Racing) and Ollie Walker (Moto Rapido / SP125 Racing) both within hundredths.

Jamie Lyons (C&M Motors Ltd/Tooltec Racing) won the battle for P7, just fighting off another good race from Rossi Banham (MJL Racing) as he took eighth, denied by a tenth. Mounsey was a little further down the road for ninth, with Bailey Stuart-Campbell (151s Racing) completing the top ten ahead of Harrison Crosby (Banks Racing).

Cormac Buchanan (Microlise Cresswell Racing) crashed out from that fight, the New Zealander losing out on the final lap.

That concludes Round 3, with the Honda British Talent Cup back on track at Thruxton next weekend for Round 4.

British Talent Cup Race 2 Results

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British Talent Cup Championship Standings

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Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Race 1

Josh Day continued his dominant form in the Ducati TriOptions Cup, cruising to victory in the opening race by 3.570s. David Shoubridge had a lonely ride in second, unchallenged on his way to the podium while Elliott Pinson claimed third. Ed Best was fourth ahead of Chris Walker and John McGuinness.

Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Race 1 Results

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Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Race 2

Chris Walker made a popular return to the top step of the podium, taking his maiden win in the Ducati TriOptions Cup race! Leading the race for much of the ten laps, Stalker was coming under increased pressure from John McGuinness, who also claimed his maiden Ducati TriOptions Cup podium, eventually finishing second.

Behind the two podium debutants, Ed Best secured third place 18.9s behind Walker, ahead of Tustin, Cox and race one victor Day.

John McGuinness – P2

“I never thought I’d be back on a podium at a BSB meeting so I’m over the moon! Tyre choice was what it boiled down to but at the last minute, I went for dry tyres and thought ‘we’re in here’. I really enjoyed the race and although Chris was in my sights all the time, I think he had it all under control but second place and a podium is superb – two wily old foxes back on the box! Some of the other riders have a bit of an edge on top speed over me but I’m putting myself in good positions and am there to pick up the pieces if anything happens in front of me. I need to believe in myself a little bit more but the team’s working well and everyone’s happy so roll on the next round.”

Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Race 2 Results

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Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup Championship Standings

Source: MCNews.com.au