Statement from MSVR regarding COVID-19 and the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship
Yesterday the UK Government announced further and significant measures designed to suppress the spread of the Coronavirus and limit Covid-19 infections.
Following the MCRCB and the ACU’s suspension of all motorcycle circuit racing events until at least the end of April, a decision which will be kept under review as the situation progresses, MSVR can confirm that the forthcoming official test (1/2 April) at Silverstone is cancelled, and the opening round of the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship also at Silverstone (10-12 April), will be postponed until later in the year.
Series promoter and organiser MSVR is continuing to work closely with teams, circuits, broadcasters and partners to evaluate the constantly-changing situation and will provide further updates when available.
MotoAmerica’s Statement On COVID-19
MotoAmerica is continuing to assess the situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the opening round of the series, scheduled for April 17-19 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and will make decisions in a timely manner based on the safety and well-being of its fans, racers, teams and all support personnel. MotoAmerica is and will be following directives from several entities, including national, state and local governments, as we move closer to our events.
Although we all want to race motorcycles, there are more important things happening in the world and MotoAmerica is taking the Coronavirus very seriously. While we are hopeful of going to Road Atlanta and having our first race of the year as scheduled, we will only do so if the safety of our fans, riders and teams is not compromised. Things are changing so quickly that it’s not possible to make any decisions on Road Atlanta or any other rounds at this point. We will, however, make a decision as quickly as possible when the time is right. Safety is paramount to everyone at MotoAmerica, regardless if it is on-track or off-track.
Our intention now is the same as it has always been and that is to complete our 10-round 2020 MotoAmerica Series in a safe and successful manner.
Dorna had previously announced the postponement of the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) round of the MotoGP World Championship in Austin, Texas, an event in which MotoAmerica was scheduled to run its opening round. The COTA round of MotoGP has been rescheduled from April 3-5 to November 13-15.
More information will be available as we get closer to the series opener.
No Decision Made Yet On Road Atlanta Round Source: MCNews.com.au
Tommy Bridewell set the pace at the end of the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship Official Test at Monteblanco, leading last year’s fierce title rival Josh Brookes by just 0.054s as the teams now move on to Jerez.
Bridewell had set the benchmark pace during the morning session, setting a time of 1m:36.796s as the times tumbled on the third and final day of action at the Spanish track. The majority of riders set their fastest times during the final morning and the Oxford Racing Ducati rider held the position until the chequered flag, with the top 13 riders covered by just 0.888s.
Bridewell’s time had put him 0.113s ahead of Ryan Vickers with Héctor Barberá in third place at lunchtime on the final day with the leading pair completing their test at midday, ahead of the final two two-day test in Spain, which gets underway on Sunday.
However, Josh Brookes wasn’t finished and the VisionTrack Ducati rider was one of the only big mover in the final hour of the day, leaving it until the closing ten minutes to head back out onto the circuit to set his fastest time of the test and move to within 0.054s of Bridewell.
As the time ticked down on the closing session there were few improvers during the final afternoon, with the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team holding onto third with Vickers, holding a 0.270s edge over Héctor Barberá onboard the Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW.
Barberá had narrowly moved ahead of his teammate Luke Mossey, who completed the top five with Danny Buchan leading the Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki charge in sixth place.
Tarran Mackenzie had a strong final day on circuit to post the seventh fastest time for McAMS Yamaha, holding off Christian Iddon with Jack Kennedy and Jason O’Halloran completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship Monteblanco Official Test
Defending Bennetts British Superbike champions Paul Bird Motorsport (PBM) got their season off Josh Brookes & Christian Iddon to a high-flying start when they launched their 2020 livery from the plush and world-famous surroundings of The View from The Shard in London earlier this week.
VisionTrack Ducati Launched In London with Brookes and Iddon
In keeping with their reputation as Britain’s most successful BSB team, who have now won a total of seven BSB titles and over 100 races, they chose Britain’s tallest building to unveil the factory-supported VisionTrack Ducatis to be ridden by Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon this season.
VisionTrack Ducati Panigale V4 R of Josh Brookes
In front of a select number of celebrity and VIP guests and with the bright lights of London in the background, as well as the open-air Skydeck some 244m (800ft) above the capital’s streets, team owner Paul Bird welcomed sponsors both new and old to the exclusive event, the first of its kind to be held in the 95-storey skyscraper, designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.
Josh Brookes
An ultra-successful season in 2019 saw the Penrith, Cumbria-based team win their seventh BSB title with rookie Scott Redding being crowned champion just five points ahead of Brookes, who between them won 21 of the 27 races to end up 1-2 in the standings.
Brookes subsequently became the third most successful rider in BSB history with a total of 49 wins, just one behind Ryuichi Kiyonari, with the Australian from Bringelly in New South Wales having accumulated 251 starts and an additional 83 podiums since his debut in 2009.
Josh Brookes is the third most successful rider in BSB history
As well as his domination en route to the 2015 BSB title, Josh has now been runner-up four times in his BSB tenure as well as winning the 2005 Australian Superbike Championship. He also has two World Supersport Championship victories to his name.
Iddon from Stockport, but now based in Newcastle Upon Tyne secured the 2019 BSB Rider’s Cup with a great performance late in the season having suffered a broken leg earlier in the year and although he didn’t miss any races, it hindered his chances of the title. Still to win a race in BSB, he has secured 12 podiums from his 135 starts since his debut in 2010.
Christian Iddon
Prior to embarking on a successful road racing career, ‘Iddo’ was a multiple British Supermoto champion who has experience in World Superbikes and World Supersport, including a third place at Magny Cours in 2013. His best result in BSB is seventh in both the 2017 and 2019 seasons.
Both riders will have at their disposal a pair of brand-new factory-backed VisionTrack Ducati V4 Rs in the 12 round series which kicks off at Silverstone on April 10/12th.
Brayden Elliott to compete BSB Superstock 1000 for 2020
Australian Brayden Elliott has confirmed his 2020 plans, competing for the fourth year running in the BSB Superstock 1000cc Championship on a new 2019 Suzuki GSX-R1000R under No Bull Racing/CFS Filtration and with support from last year’s team CPE Motosport.
Brayden Elliott competing at Cadwell Park in 2019
2020 will mark the first year that Elliott will have a consecutive year riding for the same team in the British championship, with a packed pre-season testing regime already planned he aims to take advantage of the familiar team environment.
Brayden Elliott
“I’m extremely excited to get the 2020 season underway and for testing to begin. I haven’t ridden since the final round at Brands Hatch last October, so to say I am ready to ride is an understatement. This coming season is the first time since I began racing in the UK that my team situation will stay the same for a continuous season, the same manufacturer of bike, same team and most importantly same personnel surrounding me this year. I am also really looking forward to a fresh look this season, competing in Fluro orange to represent my title sponsor, CFS Filtration.
Brayden Elliott – Image by David Yeomans
“I’m extremely thankful that my long-term partnerships are once again continuing for another season as well as welcoming on board new companies to be a part of the journey. I’m very humbled by the support of individuals and businesses who believe in my racing and am confident I will do them proud on and off the track. I also need to thank my family and those close to me for continuing to support me in many ways to make this possible.”
Brayden Elliott – Image by David Yeomans
2020 National Superstock 1000 Championship calendar
Honda (UK) has announced a return to road racing as the Honda Racing team prepares a fresh campaign at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT races, with a new rider line-up of Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd, who will contest the Superbike and Superstock classes aboard the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Honda (UK) has confirmed a return to the Isle of Man TT Races as the Honda Racing team with a new rider line-up of Glenn Irwin and Davey Todd, who will contest the RST Superbike and Senior TT Races and RL360 Superstock TT classes aboard the all-new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP.
Alongside the roads team, Honda Racing continues in the British Superbike Championship where Glenn joins his brother Andrew, and Davey will become Tom Neave’s team-mate in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, as the Louth-based team look to secure both titles.
Neil Fletcher – Head of Motorcycles Honda UK
“Racing is in the blood at Honda, so we’re delighted to be expanding our motorsport activities under Honda (UK). Armed with a new rider line-up and of course the all new CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP, the team will be looking to have a great year in both the circuit and road racing programme. I can’t wait to see how our racing campaign unfolds, bring on 2020!”
Although a newcomer to the Isle of Man TT races, Glenn is certainly no stranger to the road racing scene where he’s had a string of successes at the North West 200 in Northern Ireland. Making his debut in 2017, the Carrickfergus man impressed as he took his maiden victory in the final Superbike race. He went one better a year later to secure both Superbike wins, and again in 2019 he won and came second in the feature races.
Glenn had a mixed season in the 2019 British Superbike Championship, but in 2018 he finished third in the championship and took his first BSB win that season at the final round. Throughout that year he enjoyed regular visits to the podium securing five second place finishes and one third place.
A relative newcomer to the roads, Davey has continued to impress since embarking on his first full road-race campaign in 2018. A year earlier he made his debut at the Ulster Grand Prix, where he placed second in the Dundrod 150 National race. Consistency was key at the NW200 where he was crowned top newcomer, but it was at the TT where the 24-year-old really made his mark, lapping the Mountain Circuit at 127.890mph and becoming the second fastest newcomer in the history of the event.
In his second year on the roads, Davey secured his maiden NW200 win in the Supersport class and also came third on the podium in the Superstock race. Meanwhile at the TT he continued to learn the circuit and completed race week with five top-ten finishes. Away from the roads he has enjoyed time in the National Superstock 600 Championship, finishing sixth overall in 2016.
Meanwhile with his brother on-board, Andrew will be looking to continue his good form after a successful first-full year in the British Championship. Developing round-by-round, the 25-year-old secured his first BSB win at Thruxton and completed the year in eighth place after just missing out on a Showdown spot. Superstock 1000 contender Tom, will be looking for further podiums and wins in 2020 after his season was cruelly ended at the penultimate round at Donington Park where he fell and fractured his left foot, wrapping up the season in seventh position.
2020 is certainly shaping up to be an exciting year for the Honda Racing team, with a fresh rider line-up, Honda (UK) taking back responsibility for the road racing campaign and the arrival of the all-new 2020 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade, there’s a lot to be excited about. The team will take delivery of the new Fireblade at the end of the year, with a full test schedule set to take place early in the New Year.
Andrew Irwin
“Reflecting back on 2019 I think it was a really positive year. There were some negatives and a few things to learn from, but I know the areas I need to work on, and I really think for 2020 I can be a real Showdown fighter. Having Glenn as my teammate will be a really good thing, he’s a best friend as much as he is my brother and I think it’s good to have a strong teammate – the first rule of racing is to beat your teammate and of course, I will want to do that! I’m looking forward to it and think it will be a good atmosphere and we’ll work well together. Signing for Honda again was easy as I knew what I wanted and for me there wasn’t another option, I know everyone in the team and believe in the people around me. I’d like to thank Harv and Honda Racing for the opportunity and hopefully I can repay them!”
Glenn Irwin
“I guess it’s natural to be excited to join Honda, but I really am! I got a taste for the team at the end of this season with Andrew and got to see the structure and the atmosphere in the garage, it’s an experienced team and to be associated with a brand like Honda, is a dream come true. I’ve had Andrew as a teammate before, but this time it’s different as I guess I am the new guy! We are best friends and I think this is key as we’ll work together, share information and we won’t keep anything from each other, which is important as our task is to develop the new Fireblade. I’m enjoying doing the homework for the TT and learning it, there’s no expectations whatsoever, we’re not going there to win in year one, the place requires a lot of respect and time and that’s what we’ll give it. It’s a privilege to make my debut there on the new Fireblade as a lot of people will be wanting to see it in action, so I have to prepare the best I can for the most professional and safe job in my first year.”
Andrew Irwin and Glenn Irwin
Tom Neave
“To sign with Honda for a second year, is really a dream come true. This year has been a steep learning curve in my first full season in the Superstock 1000 class, but I have really enjoyed it, and it was just a shame for it to end early with a crash. The 2020 Fireblade is exciting and I can’t wait to get the winter out the way and get testing in the New Year. Looking back to when I started racing, to where I am now I feel so proud with how far I have come, I’m going to make the most of this amazing opportunity and hope I can do everyone at Honda, and those who support me proud.”
Davey Todd
“I am really excited to sign for Honda Racing for the 2020 season. We all know Honda’s history and I grew up watching the factory team and that’s what got me into racing, and it’s been a lifelong dream to ride for Honda. I’m looking forward to getting back to the British Championship and I think I’ve got a lot to give there. I had one season in 2016 and then concentrated a little more on the roads, but I don’t want to be thought of as just a roads guy. The 2020 Fireblade looks incredible and after seeing it I am more excited that I was before – if that’s even possible! I also want to thank Havier and Honda Racing for giving me this opportunity on the roads and also in the National Superstock 1000 Championship, having that belief in me really means a lot and I can’t wait to get started!”
Tom Neave and Davey Todd
Havier Beltran – Team Manager
“I am very excited about how next year is shaping up, for sure there’s a huge buzz with the new Fireblade, which we’re all very excited to get our hands on, but also Honda (UK) taking back the road racing programme. With the riders we have for the year, I think we’re in for some good results both on the roads and in the British championship. Andrew and Tom made so much progress last year, I think knowing what they know now will be a massive help when we get started. Davey and Glenn are both new to us on the roads, but they have definitely made their marks and impressed in their careers to date.”
Scott Redding claimed the 2019 British Superbike Championship title for Be Wiser Ducati over the weekend, fending of teammate Josh Brookes to take the win with a consistent performance at the Brands Hatch triple-header over the weekend. The result makes Redding the first rookie to win the BSB title, with just five-points separating the top two.
Scott Redding celebrates his win – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
The former MotoGP rider, who moves into the World Superbike Championship with Ducati next season, took a second place and a brace of thirds to secure the title over two days of fine and dry weather at the Kent circuit and in front of another massive crowd.
For 36-year-old Brookes, he couldn’t have done any more as he romped to a hat-trick of wins at his favourite track to reduce the deficit from 28 points arriving at Brands Hatch. Brookes took his tally of victories to ten for the season to finish runner-up in the series.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
The results saw Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team clinch their seventh BSB title and first ever one-two on their way to dominating the series with 21 wins from the 27 races. During the year, they secured no less than seven one-two finishes to be confirmed as worthy champions.
After their first and third place finishes on Saturday, the two riders followed that up with a bruising final lap to claim a thrilling first and second in Brookes’ favour in the second encounter to set up a thrilling finale.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
The final race of the season saw both riders start from the front row once more with Redding needing just a fifth-place finish to take his maiden BSB crown. Brookes again grabbed the lead off the line and ultimately led from start to finish to take his 49th career win to elevate him to the third most successful rider in BSB history.
Scott Redding
“After a few lean years, we came here to try and win the championship and we did it! It means so much to me to win this and I can’t thank everyone enough for all their support and Scott Redding it feels so good to have so many people behind me. I had a small problem in today’s second race and had to be so gentle on the bike and simply concentrated on finishing in third. In the first race today, I felt really comfortable and felt I could have a go at winning as that’s always my goal so I had a go on the last lap although I knew Josh would come straight back at me. The last thing I wanted to do was crash and I was very mindful of the fact I needed to finish so took the second place. I’m over the moon to have won the BSB Championship and we’re going to have a big party tonight!”
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
Josh Brookes
“I came here with the objective of winning all three races and that’s exactly what I’ve done so I can’t not be happy with how this weekend has gone, it’s ultimately elsewhere where I’ve lost out on the championship. A championship is judged on the whole year, not just one weekend and there are opportunities at every round to get points. There hasn’t been any time this year Josh Brookes & Scott Reddingthough where I don’t think I could have done better but I can’t deny the fact I’m disappointed not to be returning in 2020 with the number one plate! I’m looking forward to next season and although Scott won’t be figuring, there’ll always be someone to step up and there’ll be plenty more challenges ahead.”
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
Race 2
At the start of the race, Brookes took the advantage from Jason O’Halloran and Christian Iddon with Tommy Bridewell in close contention. Redding was fighting back but running wide at Druids dropped him back into seventh and he had work to do to catch his title rival.
Brookes was trying to make a break but Christian Iddon had become his next challenger on lap three when he fired the Tyco BMW ahead of O’Halloran. However, Iddon was soon under pressure as Bridewell had moved into third place for Oxford Racing Ducati and was up to second by the end of the fourth lap.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
Redding was carving his way through the chasing group and by lap seven he was into third place with a move on Iddon into Paddock Hill Bend. However he had to fight for the place with Iddon briefly reclaiming the position before the championship leader dived back ahead.
The leading trio then were a breakaway pack with Brookes ahead of Bridewell and Redding in third, but the former MotoGP rider was attacking hard and he waited until there were just two laps remaining to make his move.
Redding then had Brookes in his sight for the victory, but the 2015 champion wasn’t giving up without a fight and the pair’s battle for supremacy went down to the wire on the final lap.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
As the pair crossed the line inseparable going into Paddock Hill Bend for the final time, Redding made a move to claim the lead, but Brookes was determined and he made a lunge at Druids to regain the advantage.
Redding was looking for an opportunity but Brookes had the measure of his teammate as the pair crossed the line separated by just 0.119s, with Bridewell claiming third place.
Tarran Mackenzie had moved into fourth place behind for McAMS Yamaha to bounce back from his crash yesterday, pushing Iddon back into fifth with Danny Buchan holding sixth place ahead of O’Halloran.
Hickman was eighth in the penultimate race of the season with Andrew Irwin and Taylor Mackenzie completing the top 10.
Race 3
The final race of the season would decide the 2019 champion and at the start of the race Brookes instantly hit the front of the pack from Bridewell and Iddon, with Redding holding fifth behind Tarran Mackenzie.
Brookes and Bridewell continued to up the pace to try and gap the field, but behind Redding was soon piling the pressure on the Tyco BMW ahead of him and on the seventh lap he made his move to hold third place.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
The championship leader had to claim a top five finish if Brookes won the race to still lift his first Bennetts BSB title, but he was still pushing hard to claim a podium on his final race in the series before moving to the world stage next season.
At the front of the field the gap between Brookes and Bridewell was just 0.2s but the 2015 champion was determined to end his season on a high and he held the advantage to the chequered flag to hold off Bridewell to the finish line.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 12 Brands Hatch
Iddon was fourth to claim the Bennetts BSB Riders Cup title for Tyco BMW ahead of Peter Hickman and Tarran Mackenzie on the leading McAMS Yamaha, but only just from his teammate O’Halloran.
Buchan was eighth for FS3-Racing Kawasaki to hold off Andrew Irwin and Dan Linfoot who completed the top ten.
Brands Hatch Finale – Saturday Report Images by Dave Yeomans
The fight for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship will go down a final Sunday battle between Be Wiser Ducati riders Scott Redding and Josh Brookes following Saturday’s opening race at Brands Hatch.
Having scorched to his fifth pole position of the season aboard his factory-supported Be Wiser Ducati V4 R, Aussie Brookes trailed rival Redding by 28-points coming into the final triple-header.
Redding suffered a technical problem mid-way through the Datatag Extreme Qualifying session and subsequently had a lot of work to do from ninth on the grid.
Josh Brookes leads the field away at Brands
In Saturday’s race, Brookes immediately grabbed the lead, but Redding dropped back to 11th with the Gloucester rider having an uphill task to claw back the lost ground. He’d worked his way up to seventh when the race was stopped on lap seven due to a three-bike crash which left oil on the track.
Red Flag
The 12-lap re-start saw Brookes again grab the lead from the outset and a stunning first lap gave him a 1.2 second lead over fellow Ducati rider Tommy Bridewell. Redding was back in eighth but was soon up to sixth and part of a four-rider battle for fourth.
Josh Brookes leading the field in race two
Brookes saw his advantage over Bridewell whittled down to half a second at half-race distance but he responded in perfect style and, with a succession of fastest laps, he ran out victor by a commanding 2.2s for his eighth win of the season, and 15th around the Brands Hatch GP track.
Redding, meanwhile, picked off the riders in front of him one by one and having moved up to fourth on lap eight, he overhauled Christian Iddon a lap later and duly crossed the line in third place to maintain his lead in the championship standings, albeit by the slightly reduced margin of 19-points.
Iddon equalled his season best result of fourth place ahead of Buchan on the final lap with O’Halloran holding off Peter Hickman for sixth place. The Honda Racing pairing of Xavi Forés and Andrew Irwin held eighth and ninth respectively and Taylor Mackenzie completed the top 10.
With two races and 50-points up for grabs in Sunday’s two races, either Redding or Brookes will be crowned champion as no other rider can win the title.
Josh Brookes
“Qualifying couldn’t have gone any better for me with pole position and Scott hitting trouble and ending up ninth so it put me in the ideal place ahead of the race. The red flag probably worked against me, so things balanced themselves out and I just focused on trying to win the race. It’s all I can do and everything else is out of my hands but it wasn’t the easiest of races as the track was quite tricky and the sun was low in the sky so it took a while for me to feel comfortable and get into a rhythm. Once I got that, I felt more confident with the bike and the track conditions and was able to pull away, so I’ll simply try to do the same again tomorrow.”
Scott Redding
“It hasn’t been the easiest of days so I’m quite happy to end it with third place. Scott ReddingQualifying was difficult and starting ninth was far from ideal and I made it hard for myself in the first part when I lost a lot of ground and used a lot of the tyre trying to close the gap. In the re-start, I struggled off the line once more and it took me a while to get through the pack and third was the best I could do. I had the pace to run with the leaders, but I need to get away with them at the start, so I’ll be hoping for an easier day at the office tomorrow.”
Johnny Mowatt, Be Wiser Ducati Team Co-ordinator
“We’re more than happy with how today’s gone and with qualifying being our first real run in the dry, it was important for both riders to hit the ground running in terms of set-up which is exactly what they did. Josh topped every session and took a fine pole position, but Scott unfortunately had a technical issue and was left with a lot of work to do. Josh’s only goal coming into the weekend was to go for race wins and, for him, it was definitely a case of mission accomplished. The red flag helped Scott a bit otherwise it would have been a major challenge from where he was but to win a championship you need a bit of luck and perhaps that was his there. It was a good 1-3 and PBM are guaranteed the championship now but we’ll keep our feet on the ground, hope for good weather and look to secure first and second in the championship.”
Brands Hatch Results Race One 1. Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) 2. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) +2.256s 3. Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati) +8.435s
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship title fight will do down to the wire this weekend as protagonists Scott Redding, Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell battle it out for the final time in 2019 in their quest to be crowned champion at Brands Hatch.
We spoke to Josh Brookes overnight about the weekend ahead. The Australian trails Be Wiser Ducati team-mate Scott Redding by 28-points heading into this weekend triple-header.
Josh Brookes
“Under normal circumstances a second and a third at Donington in British Superbike would be a good achievement, but when the championship leader gets two wins then that makes that performance not so good after all, and that’s the reality that I am facing at the moment.
Josh Brookes did the double at Brands Hatch earlier in the year
“The championship points are well favoured towards Scott, mathematically the championship is always a possibility until the end, or until the numbers rule it out, but I will go into this weekend with the most optimism I can and try as hard as I can to get the results, but it’s diffifcult to think that Scott is going to offer a poor performance.
Brookes leading Redding at Donington earlier this month
“I am standing here in poor weather at the moment, it is drizzling rain, the last round is often affected by weather here so we never know what can happen.
Josh Brookes
“All I have to do is focus on the best results I can, rather than thinking I have to finish a certain place etc. so that almost probably takes the pressure off me a little. I have to just go out and win, that is all I can do. Then how Scott goes out and plays it will decide the final results.
Josh Brookes
“Every year I have been in BSB I have given 100 per cent and irrespective of the outcome I am proud of what I have achieved this year.”
Josh Brookes did the double at Brands Hatch earlier in the year
BSB 2019 so far…
After 24 races there have been seven winners and 12 different podium finishers, but it comes down to three champion elects ahead of the final three races of the 2019 season on the Grand Prix circuit.
Scott Redding heads the standings coming into the crucial decider and the former MotoGP contender willl attempt to claim the title in his debut season to make Bennetts BSB history. The 26-year-old has delivered an incredible performance so far in the Showdown, to return to Kent with a 28-point advantage over his Be Wiser Ducati teammate.
Josh Brookes and Scott Redding – Image by David Yeomans
Scott Redding
“This year has been really good; I have enjoyed the championship and the racing has been great and now we have just got Brands Hatch to try and finish the job! I feel like I have been the strongest rider in the Showdown so far but I have been building all season for this. The results at Brands Hatch earlier in the year doesn’t show how strong we really were there and the pace that we had; I took a gamble on the tyre choice in race one and then had a podium in race two and we had pole position. I think some people think that it might not be the best track for me and I might not be as strong there, but when people doubt me I want it even more. I am really calm now and with how I am and what we can do at Brands Hatch. I get even more motivation from the energy and the big support that I get from the fans and I think there is going to be a big atmosphere next weekend.
Scott Redding, Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell were top performers at Donington – Image by David Yeomans
“I am definitely in a prime position; I didn’t start the season saying what I could do and I have just been working hard and building up so that we were strong for the Showdown. I am getting stronger and more confident. I wanted to build throughout the year and now it’s the time.”
On the opposite side of the garage, Josh Brookes is ready to take the title fight all the way to the line. The 2015 champion was unstoppable at the Grand Prix circuit earlier in the season, claiming a double win, making him the most successful rider at Brands Hatch currently on the grid.
Josh Brookes – Image by David Yeomans
However, the pair also have a determined Tommy Bridewell ready to spoil their title celebrations, and the Oxford Racing Ducati rider thrives on his underdog status as he aims for his first championship victory, having finished third in the series back in 2014.
The title contenders are firmly focused on claiming the maximum 75 points available. However, they will face tough competition for the final honours of the 2019 season with the closest opposition coming from Danny Buchan, Tarran Mackenzie and Peter Hickman who currently lock out the remaining positions in the top six.
Tommy Bridewell – Image by David Yeomans
Australian Jason O’Halloran heads south to Kent for the season finale sitting ninth in the standings, a single point ahead of Christian Iddon, and with Andrew Irwin and Xavi Fores within striking distance given a strong enough end of season result. After admitting to struggling for feel and grip which resulted in poor 11-10 results at the previous Donington Park round, O’Halloran will be keen to finish the season strong. He will have three bites of the cherry, as there is an extra race on the usual double header programme, with 75 points up for grabs; if he could record three strong results it could move him up the finishing order in this year’s championship standings.
Jason O’Halloran – Image by David Yeomans
Jason O’Halloran
“That was one of the more difficult weekends. We struggled all weekend. Friday was wet, Saturday was dry and both races today were dry. We generally struggled to find a feeling. I struggled for grip in the first race and in one of the biggest surprises; I really struggled on new tyres. I got stronger towards the end once the tyre went away and did my fastest lap on the last lap of the race which is a bit backwards. Race two was better but I struggled with wheelies on the stop start corners, I’m having to use the rear brake so much we’re just getting beat on the straights. We need to see what we can do to improve it to see if we can finish the year off good.”
The Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown continued with Scott Redding dominating the proceedings, claiming wins across both Superbike races at Donington ahead of Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell, and taking a 28-point lead into the Brands Hatch finale ahead of Aussie Brookes.
Josh Brookes leads Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
After three previous podiums finishes, Chrissy Rouse and the Morello Racing Kawasaki finally got to stand on the top step of the podium in the Pirelli Superstock 1000 class when they claimed a brilliant win, from Richard Cooper and Jordan Weaving. Aussie Levi Day finished in seventh, with Brayden Elliott 19th.
Brayden Elliott – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Jack Kennedy also doubled up on the Supersport wins, fighting off Brad Jones for the win, with Rory Skinner completing the podium. In the Superstock 600 class Ben Luxton claimed top honours, from Storm Stacey and Eunan McGlinchey.
British Superbikes Race 1
At the start of the opening race Brookes had launched off the line to lead the pack into Redgate for the first time ahead of Redding and Christian Iddon, with Bradley Ray and Tommy Bridewell in close contention.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Brookes was heading the pack for Be Wiser Ducati until the third lap when Iddon went for a decisive move with the pair touching at Starkeys Bridge. The move unsettled Brookes and dropped him back to fourth and into the clutches of Peter Hickman.
Redding then had the advantage from Bridewell and Iddon, and started edging out a gap to try and break the pack. The championship leader had been able to set a consistent pace to break Bridewell, but at mid-race distance the rain flags were shown and the Oxford Racing Ducati rider pushed to bridge the gap.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Redding though was able to keep his cool to give him the edge at the chequered flag, but behind him the battle for third had turned into a three-way fight between Iddon, Brookes and Hickman.
Iddon was holding the position for Tyco BMW, but as he exited Goddards he lost a footpeg and then had to try to deliver a damage limitation performance which saw him end the race in sixth place as Brookes took advantage of the situation.
Andrew Irwin – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Brookes held off Hickman for third with Andrew Irwin fighting his way through from 14th on the grid to claim fifth place for Honda Racing, pushing Iddon back with two laps to go as he continued to try and fight on.
Xavi Forés was seventh ahead of Ryan Vickers, who scored another top 10 finish for RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki following a fierce battle with Luke Mossey and Danny Buchan who grabbed tenth place ahead of Jason O’Halloran and Tarran Mackenzie.
Billy McConnell – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Fellow Australians Billy McConnell and Ben Currie came home in 18th and 19th respectively in Race 1.
British Superbikes Race 2
In race two Brookes was determined to come out and try to take the fight to his teammate. At the start of the race, the Australian got a flying start off the line to lead into Redgate for the first time ahead of Iddon and Redding, with the second placed Tyco BMW rider trying to dive for the lead at Craner Curves before the 2015 champion instantly cut back into the lead.
Race 2 Start – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
As Redding moved into second a lap later to force ahead of Iddon, further down the field Billy McConnell crashed out unhurt at the Esses, leaving gravel across the circuit. The BMW Safety Car deployed and as the pack lined up Brookes had the advantage from Redding, Bridewell, Peter Hickman, Iddon and Buchan as the Showdown Title Fighters were locked together.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
On the restart though Redding had initially dropped back from Brookes to try and force more heat into the tyres and it worked; Brookes ran wide into Redgate and Redding had the opportunity he needed to make a pass for the lead.
Redding then pushed to bridge a gap but the advantage kept changing, later the championship leader admitted he was suffering with a gearing issue that was causing him to be less consistent with his lap times. Brookes had been reeling him in over the closing stages but it wasn’t enough to make a move on his teammate and he was forced to settle for second place ahead of Bridewell.
Buchan had maintained his fourth place after a tough opening race at Donington Park to fire the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki ahead of Iddon on the Tyco BMW and Bradley Ray, who overcame the disappointment of a technical retirement in race one to hold off a hard-charging Irwin for sixth place.
Danny Buchan – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Irwin had been also battling with his Honda Racing teammate Forés, who had to settle for eighth place with the McAMS Yamaha pairing of Tarran Mackenzie and O’Halloran completing the top 10.
It was a disastrous race for Hickman who had been battling for the fourth place when he lost the chain for the Smiths Racing BMW, ending his race prematurely.
Ben Currie – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Race 2 saw Aussie Ben Currie improve on his Race 1 efforts into 18th, while Billy McConnell recorded a DNF.
Scott Redding – 1-1
“I felt comfortable in race one, so I was able to manage everything quite well. I felt settled leading the race but when a few spots of rain began to fall, I eased off a bit as I didn’t want to get caught Scott Reddingout. When it became clear the rain had stopped, I was able to set the fastest lap of the race and pull away again, so it worked out well in the end. The second race was tricky too as I had a problem with the gear-shifter which meant the bike was pushing me wide into the corners. Josh upped his pace too, which I knew he would, and the gap came down, so I was pleased to bring the bike home and get the double.”
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Josh Brookes – 3-2
“I made the ideal start to race one, but I knew immediately that something was wrong as I couldn’t find an apex and it was a bit confusing as to why the bike wasn’t working like it had done in qualifying. I lost a couple of places, but I managed to regroup and keep a good pace to come through to take a solid third. I improved to second in race two which I should be pleased with as many riders would Brookes & Reddinggive anything to be in that position but I’m smiling through gritted teeth as I don’t feel like I’m riding as well as I can. I don’t feel like I’m getting the best out of myself so I’m disappointed with the results but there are still 75 points available, so we’ll see what happens at the final round.”
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Tommy Bridewell – 2-3
“Another positive weekend for myself and the Oxford Racing Ducati, Moto Rapido Racing team, with the ever changing weather we just struggled to find the sweet spot, but as always the team worked flawlessly and we’ll take the positives into the final round at Brands Hatch in a few weeks time. Thanks for all the support people show me trackside and on the socials, we’ll keep fighting, it’s not over yet.”
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Tarran Mackenzie – 12-9
“As we didn’t get a dry warm-up, we couldn’t try something different so we went into race one a little blind. The bike didn’t feel the best and I struggled a lot on the front. We made a change for race two which definitely helped the bike, I had a lot stronger pace and was a lot closer to the guys in front which was good. I’m feeling better in myself and on the bike and gaining a lot more confidence. Brands was good for us earlier in the year until the crash so hopefully we can end the year on a high.”
Tarran Mackenzie – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Jason O’Halloran – 11-10
“That was one of the more difficult weekends. We struggled all weekend. Friday was wet, Saturday was dry and both races today were dry. We generally struggled to find a feeling. I struggled for grip in the first race and in one of the biggest surprises, I really struggled on new tyres. I got stronger towards the end once the tyre went away and did my fastest lap on the last lap of the race which is a bit backwards. Race two was better but I struggled with wheelie on the stop start corners, I’m having to use the rear brake so much we’re just getting beat on the straights. We need to see what we can do to improve it to see if we can finish the year off good.”
Jason O’Halloran – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Peter Hickman – 4-DNF
“Results-wise, it’s been a bit of a mixed day but, overall, our pace has been strong throughout. We’ve made more improvements to the bike which has helped us get closer to the front group. In the first race, I made a slight mistake early on when the bike went into neutral at the Melbourne Loop, but I regained the lost places pretty quickly although I didn’t quite have the pace to get onto the podium. Race two was going equally as well and although I had a few slides after the safety car had gone in, the lap times were good, and I felt strong in fifth. I was hanging on a bit to the front group but then the chain snapped which was unusual to say the least but it’s just one of those things and nothing the team could have done so we’ll look to end the season strongly with three strong rides at Brands Hatch.”
Peter Hickman – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Bradley Ray – DNF-6
“We wanted to prove Oulton wasn’t a fluke this weekend. Obviously we know we were quick at Cadwell but the results didn’t come, then we were on the podium at Oulton but struggled at Assen a little bit, going in the wrong direction over the weekend with the bike. Here we were strong again and I think we could have taken the fight to the front guys a bit more but we had the issue in race one and that meant not only did we miss that chance in that race it also ruined race two for us, having to come from so far back. It’s a shame, but I think the performance in race two was good, to come through from that far down. Hopefully we can get the luck at Brands and finish strongly.”
Race 2 podium, 1) Scott Redding, 2) Josh Brookes, 3) Tommy Bridewell – 2019 BSB Donington Park, Round 11
Scott Redding will start from pole position for tomorrow’s opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Donington Park after edging out his Be Wiser Ducati teammate Josh Brookes in Datatag Qualifying as the pair fight for the advantage in the Showdown.
Scott Redding – P1
“It’s always good to be on pole position. Q3 was quite good; I had to really push quite hard because Q1 and 2 I didn’t feel that great with the bike and the grip. I didn’t want to change too much because I know the base is not bad. Josh was stepping up the pace so I thought inside of me I have got more, so in the Q3 we just made a small little change and I kept working away at the lap time. I thought now I’ve just got to do what I really can do and put it on the line, and to get the pole position lap is obviously really good and sets us up for the races tomorrow.”
Scott Redding
Josh Brookes – P2
“We’ve done a good job today to take second, but the first two sectors are letting me down a bit Josh Brookesand haven’t had the speed to go with Scott. On the edge of the tyre through the high-speed stuff of Craner Curves, I’m losing a bit of time and not able to attack but through the twisty stuff at the end of the lap, the bike feels mint. We’ve a bit of work still to do with the settings but I think our race pace is good enough to make it two competitive races.”
Josh Brookes
The final stage of Datatag Qualifying began with Luke Mossey at the top, but it wasn’t long before Be Wiser Ducati’s Brookes had fired himself to the top of the times as the eight-minute session counted down rapidly.
Buildbase Suzuki’s Bradley Ray was then on a string of fast laps that saw him climb the order and grab the lead position, but just a moment later Redding had delivered the fastest lap of the weekend so far to claim his fifth qualifying pole position of the season as Brookes surged into second.
Ray completed the front row for tomorrow’s opening race, just ahead of Mossey who had his best qualifying performance of the season for OMG Racing Suzuki in fourth place to head the second row.
Christian Iddon led the Tyco BMW charge to start from the second row in fifth place with Luke Stapleford completing the top six on the second of the Buildbase Suzukis.
Showdown contender Tommy Bridewell was seventh fastest with the Oxford Racing Ducati team, holding off his Title Fighter rival Peter Hickman on the Smiths Racing BMW.
2019 British Superbikes Round 11 Donington Park Qualifying
Taylor Mackenzie impressed by claiming a place in Q3 on his debut for Tyco BMW, pushing his Showdown contending brother Tarran Mackenzie into tenth at the end of Q2. It was a tough session for the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki’s Danny Buchan, who was the sixth fastest of the Showdown six and will start 13th on the grid for tomorrow’s first race.
Bennetts British Superbikes Combined Qualification
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