Showdown Spoiler Irwin heads off Hickman at Donington Park Andrew Irwin snatched the top spot in the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship free practice at Donington Park for Honda Racing, setting his fastest time on the final lap of the afternoon session to steal the advantage from Peter Hickman at the chequered flag.
Andrew Irwin – Honda Racing
“Today’s been much better, to be honest. I’ve had a tough three rounds really, the past three haven’t been fantastic. It’s only Friday, don’t get me wrong, I’m not going to get carried away, but it gives you that little bit of confidence going into Saturday and Sunday so I’ll take that as a positive. The bike feels good in these conditions, the wet, dry, kind of mixed conditions. To be honest, it is always something that I’ve been horrendous in before, so it’s good we’ve taken a step forwards in that, and P1 is always a good day. I look forward to tomorrow and hopefully we can do a good job come Sunday.”
Andrew Irwin
The morning session had also taken place in mixed conditions, with Showdown contender Danny Buchan and FS3-Racing Kawasaki edging out Joe Francis by 0.159s.
Conditions looked set to be dry for the second 45-minute session. Just as it got underway, there was a brief shower but the conditions continued to improve and the times began to tumble. At the beginning, title contender Josh Brookes had set the initial pace from Christian Iddon before another of the Showdown protagonists, Tommy Bridewell, edged ahead.
Iddon though was on a run of laps and he went to the top for Tyco BMW, before Showdown contender Tarran Mackenzie fired the McAMS Yamaha ahead. The places again kept changing at the top with Iddon then Brookes trading blows.
As the Showdown contenders mixed it up, Taylor Mackenzie became the second Tyco BMW rider to have a spell at the top, before Brookes then pushed him back down the order. A flurry of activity in the closing minutes again saw a change, with Hickman hitting the top of the times as the chequered flag was shown, but Irwin was still on a flying lap and he had the edge by 0.203s.
Josh Brookes
Taylor Mackenzie held third place on his debut with the Tyco BMW team in the afternoon, holding off championship leader Scott Redding who had been running second earlier in the session, and Iddon who completed the top five.
Honda Racing’s Xavi Forés managed to move ahead of Brookes in the final moments of free practice two with Joe Francis again having an impressive session in eighth place for the Lloyd & Jones Bowker BMW team.
Ben Currie and Luke Mossey completed the top 10 with Showdown Title Fighters Tarran Mackenzie in 13th place and Bridewell ending the session 26th.
Scott Redding did the double at Assen on the weekend to push his way into the British Superbike Championship lead by 14-points over Josh Brookes.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
A good start to the weekend by Tom Toparis in the Dickies British Supersport on Saturday unfortunately was followed up a DNF on Syunday.
Tom Toparis – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Max Stauffer took seventh in the first International Junior Supersport race of the weekend – maching his qualifying result – and with improved confidence in the second bout looked set to challenge for a podium, but unfortunately crashed out with two laps to run.
British Superbike Race 1
Scott Redding hit the front early in the first bout ahead of Luke Stapleford, Tommy Bridewell and Josh Brookes. Bridewell was determined to move into second and did so by the end of the opening lap.
Scott Redding – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
A lap later Ryan Vickers crashed out heavily which saw the BMW Safety Car deployed at the start of the fourth lap. The pack formed up behind with Redding, Bridewell, Stapleford and Brookes first in line with the race resuming on lap six.
Bridewell was pushing hard to take on Redding but on the ninth lap he reached his limit, crashing out at turn nine, with Christian Iddon also falling at the same corner, both riders were unhurt.
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Redding broke from the pack at the front of the field, leaving Brookes embroiled in a huge battle for second with Showdown spoilers Stapleford and Jason O’Halloran who had hunted down the pair ahead of him.
By lap 14 the scrap had really intensified with Stapleford making a move on Brookes, only for the Australian to strike straight back to regain the position. As the laps counted down the trio in the battle for second were inseparable and on the penultimate lap Stapleford had the edge over Brookes and O’Halloran.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Brookes still had more fight left though and on the final lap he dived back into second place and as Stapleford drifted slightly wide, O’Halloran saw his opportunity and he was into third for McAMS Yamaha.
Scott Redding topped the podium from Brookes and O’Halloran – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
As Redding took the flag to claim his eighth win of the season ahead of Brookes, O’Halloran became the 12 different podium finisher of the season ahead of Stapleford, who scored his best result of the season for Buildbase Suzuki.
Jason O’Halloran – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Xavi Forés was fifth for Honda Racing ahead of Showdown contenders Danny Buchan, Tarran Mackenzie and Peter Hickman who completed the top eight ahead of Bradley Ray and Hector Barbera.
Australian Ben Currie finished Race 1 in 15th.
Ben Currie – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
British Superbike Race 2
Luke Stapleford launched his Buildbase Suzuki off the line to lead the pack into turn one ahead of Redding, Tommy Bridewell and Brookes as the second race of the Assen BSB weekend got underway. Brookes, the 2015 champion, was instantly on the attack and he moved into third after pushing past the Oxford Racing Ducati of Tommy Bridewell.
The pack was inseparable but a mistake from Stapleford exiting the final chicane on the third lap scattered the pack and it gave Bridewell the opportunity he needed to move into second with Brookes and Redding then hunting him down.
A lap later and a determined Brookes captured the lead with Stapleford separating the Be Wiser Ducati teammates with Jason O’Halloran and Danny Buchan also in close contention.
Jason O’Halloran – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
By lap seven Redding had made a decisive move into second and had Brookes in his sights before taking the lead a lap later with a dive down the inside. From there Redding tried to make a break, but he was hounded by Brookes.
Bridewell had his sights set on a podium to make amends for his crash in the opening race and by lap ten he had moved into third, to push Stapleford back down into fourth on the Buildbase Suzuki.
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Redding then edged out his advantage, but the battle for second was becoming increasingly fierce; Brookes was holding off Bridewell, Buchan and Stapleford but with two laps remaining the Australian was under attack.
On lap 17 Bridewell moved into second and that pushed Brookes slightly off line, which gave Buchan the chance he needed to force through into third for FS-3 Racing Kawasaki. Despite his best counterattack, Brookes couldn’t regain the positions and he missed out on the podium by 0.311s, leaving Assen 14 points adrift of Redding in the standings.
Josh Brookes – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Bridewell and Buchan scored their first podium finishes of the Showdown in the second race with Stapleford again just missing out after his best weekend of the season so far in fifth.
Honda Racing’s Xavi Forés led the next pack home to the chequered flag to hold off race one podium finisher O’Halloran and Showdown contender Peter Hickman in eighth. Dan Linfoot and Bradley Ray completed the top ten with Tarran Mackenzie ending a tough weekend in 13th.
Xavi Fores – 2019 BSB Round 10 – Assen
Ben Currie had to settle for 17th in Race 2, matching his qualifying result, after 15th in Race 1.
Scott Redding maintained his position at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship times in Datatag Qualifying at Assen on Saturday afternoon, setting a stunning lap seven-tenths inside the existing lap record.
The Be Wiser Ducati rider held off Tommy Bridewell who closed to within 0.175s of his Showdown rival during the final fight for pole position.
Tommy Bridewell
Redding had topped the free practice sessions earlier in the weekend but in the final decisive stage of Datatag Qualifying, Bridewell had set his personal best to slash the advantage and claim another front row start for Oxford Racing Ducati.
Scott Redding – P1
“I think the lap today came quite naturally because it is a track that I have experience at and have been to it in the last 12 months so that feels nice! I was relaxed from FP1 but we are still trying understand the set up on circuits like this. It felt a bit more difficult to make the lap time then. I was struggling with my vision out of the back of the track as the sun was coming down and I lost a little bit of time and made a little mistake, but it is what it is. I then tried to push on a bit more in the other sectors and work as best as I could. I have used a lot of the used tyres this weekend because my pace was fast, so in Q2 we used a used tyre and I was still pretty fast and that is good for the race tomorrow. I just want to have a good pace and be consistent tomorrow so thanks to the team for putting together the package for me this weekend and I look forward to the races tomorrow.”
Scott Redding
The pair are joined on the front row by Luke Stapleford, who celebrated his first front row start of the season for Buildbase Suzuki after nudging Jason O’Halloran onto the second row on the leading McAMS Yamaha.
Jason O’Halloran
Josh Brookes had a stronger session in Datatag Qualifying, improving throughout the three stages to post the fifth fastest time as he bids to maintain his championship lead in tomorrow’s two opening Showdown races.
Josh Brookes
Danny Buchan is the fourth Showdown contender on the grid, holding sixth place to complete the second row for FS3-Racing Kawasaki.
Ryan Vickers had his best qualifying performance of the season on his first visit to Assen, claiming seventh place for RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki ahead of Tyco BMW pairing Christian Iddon and Glenn Irwin who completed the top nine despite both riders crashing during qualifying.
However it was another difficult session for Showdown contenders Peter Hickman and Tarran Mackenzie who start in 11th and 15th on the grid respectively for race one tomorrow.
Bennetts British Superbike Qualifying
Pos
Rider
Q1
Q2
Q3
1
Scott REDDING
1:36.112
1:36.171
1:35.588
2
Tommy BRIDEWELL
1:36.220
1:36.340
1:35.763
3
Luke STAPLEFORD
1:36.455
1:36.358
1:35.803
4
Jason O’HALLORAN
1:36.982
1:36.117
1:36.023
5
Josh BROOKES
1:36.837
1:36.325
1:36.086
6
Danny BUCHAN
1:36.820
1:36.359
1:36.828
7
Ryan VICKERS
1:36.816
1:36.351
1:36.865
8
Christian IDDON
1:37.069
1:36.174
1:36.877
9
Glenn IRWIN
1:37.034
1:36.502
1:37.346
10
Héctor BARBERÁ
1:37.182
1:36.602
/
11
Peter HICKMAN
1:36.897
1:36.641
/
12
Xavi FORÉS
1:36.744
1:36.678
/
13
Bradley RAY
1:37.032
1:36.694
/
14
Dan LINFOOT
1:36.760
1:36.710
/
15
Tarran MACKENZIE
1:37.107
1:36.908
/
16
Luke MOSSEY
1:37.202
1:37.028
/
17
Ben CURRIE
1:37.341
1:37.474
/
18
Andrew IRWIN
1:37.147
/
/
19
Richard COOPER
1:37.438
/
/
20
James ELLISON
1:37.563
/
/
21
Alex OLSEN
1:37.835
/
/
22
Matt TRUELOVE
1:38.410
/
/
23
Claudio CORTI
1:38.418
/
/
24
Shaun WINFIELD
1:38.815
/
/
25
Joe FRANCIS
1:39.194
/
/
26
Sam COVENTRY
1:39.404
/
/
Dickies British Supersport / British GP2 Cup
GP2 rider Kyle Ryde took a last lap victory in the Dickies British Supersport Sprint race, out dragging the Supersport machine of Jack Kennedy.
Dickies British Supersport
Ryde leapt off the line to lead at the end of the opening lap ahead of Brad Jones, Eemeli Lahti and Kennedy but Jones made his move into the lead just one lap later. Disaster struck almost immediately though as the Integro Yamaha rider crashed out of contention.
Dickies British Supersport – Kennedy, Ryde, Toparis
At the half race stage, Kennedy made his move into the lead with Ryde staying in close contention. Separated by just 0.1s for the closing stages, Ryde set his fastest lap of the race on the penultimate circulation to close up. Making his move half way around the final lap, Kennedy struck straight back to lead out of the chicane but the fast charging Ryde was able to out drag him over the line.
Tom Toparis 2nd in Supersport
Goulburn teenager Tom Toparis finished third on track, and second in the Supersport category, ahead of Mason Law on the GP2 machine and Richard Kerr.
Tom Toparis 2nd in Supersport
Dickies British Supersport / British GP2 Cup Qualifying
Scott Redding kicked off the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown in style at Assen on Friday afternoon, lapping 0.270s under the existing record to top the free practice times ahead of Title Fighter rival Tommy Bridewell at the end of the opening day.
Redding had set the benchmark in the morning’s session, before then in the afternoon setting the fastest lap of the day in the closing ten minutes of FP2, holding off an improving Bridewell on the Oxford Racing Ducati as the team prepare for their first attack on a Showdown.
Scott Redding – P1
“It has been a good start, coming to a track I know and that has been the biggest thing for me – going out and directly knowing exactly where I am going and which corners are coming up next! It has been one of my favorite tracks, even in World Championships and I feel generally comfortable. The pace seems quite fast. I am not fully comfortable with the bike to be honest and we had a small issue in FP1. FP2 we had to try and manage and I lost some time, and just used the same tyres to make a good race pace. After day one I am satisfied and I am looking to improve over the weekend. The good thing for me is I have never been in the Showdown before and so I am treating this like any other race weekend. There is not added extra pressure because it is the Showdown, it is no different and I know I have the pace to fight for wins. I am on a track I feel comfortable with so it does work a bit in my favour and I feel like I am ready to fight to be top of the Showdown.”
Scott Redding
The McAMS Yamaha charge was led by Jason O’Halloran in third place at the end of the first day of action, with his Title Fighter team-mate Tarran Mackenzie holding 18th position after a challenging day on track and with work to do ahead of Datatag Qualifying tomorrow.
Luke Stapleford was fourth fastest on the Buildbase Suzuki ahead of Hector Barbera who completed the top five for the Quattro Plant – JG Speedfit Kawasaki team, taking advantage of his track knowledge from his time in Grand Prix racing to be the fastest of the Team Green contenders.
Dan Linfoot was sixth fastest for the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha team with Peter Hickman posting the seventh fastest time in the final stages of the session to be the third fastest of the Showdown contenders as the Showdown got underway.
Honda Racing’s Xavi Forés returned to familiar territory at Assen, posting the eighth fastest time ahead of Christian Iddon with championship leader Josh Brookes completing the top ten for Be Wiser Ducati and 0.038s ahead of Showdown rival Danny Buchan.
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 10 – TT Circuit Assen
Just three-points separate Be Wiser Ducati teammates Josh Brookes and Scott Redding at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings, as the title-deciding Showdown gets underway at Assen in the Netherlands this weekend
After seven different race winners and a total of 11 podium finishes, later the identities of the six Title Fighters were confirmed last time out at Oulton Park, but it is the 2015 champion Brookes, who has the marginal advantage coming into the first two Showdown races.
Brookes celebrating his Oulton Park Race One win.
Brookes has lined up in eight previous Showdowns and is the only previous title winner amongst this year’s six. A three-time race winner at Assen, the Australian heads into the decisive final three rounds ready for the title fight.
Josh Brookes
“Going into the Showdown leading the standings is ideal; it is only a small few points but it is still nice to have it. The last few tracks that are in the Showdown have been good for me in the past, so I am hoping that happens again. I like Assen, not just because of race results I have had there, but because it is a great track and I am ready to put on a challenge for the championship in these last races.”
Redding arrives at Assen with previous track knowledge too though; the former Grand Prix rider was a podium finisher in the MotoGP class alongside Jack Miller and Marc Marquez in 2016 at the Dutch circuit and is pushing to finish ahead of his teammate this weekend to fire himself back to the top of the standings.
Scott Redding leading Marquez and Crutchlow onto his 2016 Assen MotoGP Podium
Less than a race win adrift of Brookes at the top is Tommy Bridewell who secured the Oxford Racing Ducati team’s first victory at Oulton Park. Bridewell has been a podium finisher at Assen in the past and knows that he can’t afford to give an inch in the final seven races of the season.
Tarran Mackenzie has claimed his place in the Showdown for the first time this season and the McAMS Yamaha rider trails Bridewell by nine points ahead of the two races this weekend. Mackenzie celebrated a podium finish at the circuit last year for the team and is confident of a stronger result this weekend as his wrist injury from Cadwell Park continues to improve.
Tommy Bridewell – Oulton Park
The third first-time Showdown contender is Danny Buchan and he is just a single point adrift of Mackenzie as he leads the Kawasaki charge. 2019 also marks the first appearance for FS3-Racing Kawasaki in the top six and after missing out on the podium at Oulton Park, they will be ready to battle to add to their winning tally at a circuit where Team Green were victorious in both races last season with Leon Haslam.
Peter Hickman completes the six Title Fighters for Smiths Racing BMW, the fourth different manufacturer to feature in the 2019 Showdown, and believes the only way is forward now as he has nothing to lose in the standings.
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 9 – Oulton Park – Sunday
Images by David Yeomans
Oulton Park on Sunday saw Tommy Bridgewell claim the Oxford Racing Ducati team their first Superbike race win in Race 3, while Race 2 saw a 1-2 by the Be Wiser Ducati duo of Scott Redding and Josh Brookes.
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Sunday also saw Tarran Mackenzie and Peter Hickman confirmed as the final two Title Fighters for the Showdown, with Hickman and Mackenzie joining Danny Buchan to claim the remaining three Showdown places. Buchan securing his spot on Saturday. Be Wiser Ducati teammates Scott Redding and Josh Brookes and Bridewell had already confirmed their places in the line-up.
The 2019 Showdown will feature three first-time Title Fighters (Redding, Mackenzie and Buchan) and two first-time Showdown teams (Oxford Racing Ducati and FS3-Racing Kawasaki). The top six line-up heading into the opening Showdown round at Assen represents four different manufacturers across five different teams.
The Showdown Six – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Race 2
The start of race two saw Bradley Ray hit the front of the pack ahead of Brookes, Redding, Jason O’Halloran, Buchan and Christian Iddon. However, after missing out in yesterday’s race, Bridewell was instantly on the attack and made a move to claim second position on lap two.
Josh Brookes – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
A huge crash for James Ellison caused a BMW Safety Car deployment on the fourth lap to clear the debris at Hilltop. He was uninjured, but when the race resumed after two laps Bridewell was back fighting for the lead, which he claimed with a move on Ray at Lodge on the brakes.
A lap later and Redding was up to second with a move on Ray into Old Hall for the seventh time, before the Be Wiser Ducati rider hit the front of the pack with a move at Hizzys on lap 12.
Scott Redding – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Redding, Bridewell, Ray and Brookes were inseparable and then yesterday’s race winner Brookes went for a move on the Buildbase Suzuki at Lodge to move into a podium position.
The trio began to marginally break away from the Buildbase Suzuki contender, but Redding had to defend hard from Bridewell who continued to fight for the team’s first win in the series. On the final lap he went for an audacious move around the outside at Lodge, but it wasn’t enough and gave Brookes the drive he needed to the line to snatch second at the chequered flag.
Scott Redding topped the podium from Brookes and Bridewell – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Ray claimed another strong finish in fourth place after his podium yesterday, but behind there was a tough battle for fifth place where Buchan had the edge ahead of Jason O’Halloran and Christian Iddon, who continued to fight for a top six position for Tyco BMW.
Hickman delivered an impressive performance from the eighth row of the grid to finish in eighth place to move into sixth place in the overall standings and seven points ahead of the Honda Racing teammates Andrew Irwin, who was forced to sit out race two after a penalty, and Xavi Forés.
Peter Hickman – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Mackenzie edged closer to his eventual Title Fighter place by finishing ninth with Luke Mossey completing the top 10 with OMG Racing Suzuki.
British Superbike Championship Race 2 Result
Pos
Rider
Bike/Team
Time/Gap
1
Scott Redding
Ducati – Be Wiser Ducati
29m03.673
2
Josh Brookes
Ducati – Be Wiser Ducati
+0.131
3
Tommy Bridewell
Ducati – Oxford Racing
+0.198
4
Bradley Ray
Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki
+2.903
5
Danny Buchan
Kawasaki – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki
+10.818
6
Jason O’halloran
Yamaha – McAMS Yamaha
+10.912
7
Christian Iddon
BMW – Tyco BMW Motorrad
+12.626
8
Peter Hickman
BMW – Smiths Racing
+14.989
9
Tarran Mackenzie
Yamaha – McAMS Yamaha
+18.285
10
Luke Mossey
Suzuki – OMG Racing Suzuki
+22.183
11
Xavi Forés
Honda – Honda Racing
+27.334
12
Luke Stapleford
Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki
+28.317
13
Joe Francis
BMW – Lloyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad
+28.609
14
Claudio Corti
Kawasaki – Team WD-40
+32.383
15
Glenn Irwin
BMW – Tyco BMW Motorrad
+33.596
16
Alex Olsen
BMW – Smiths Racing
+33.863
17
Sam Coventry
Kawasaki – Team 64 Motorsports
+45.096
18
Shaun Winfield
Yamaha – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha
+1m02.025
Not Classified
DNF
Ben Currie
Kawasaki – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki
5 Laps
DNF
Ryan Vickers
Kawasaki – RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki
10 Laps
DNF
David Allingham
Yamaha – EHA Yamaha
11 Laps
DNF
Héctor Barberá
Kawasaki – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki
12 Laps
DNF
Josh Owens
Kawasaki – CDH Racing
14 Laps
DNF
James Ellison
MV Agusta – Bike Devil Sweda MV Agusta
16 Laps
DNF
Dan Linfoot
Yamaha – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha
17 Laps
Race 3
After missing out on so many occasions this season, Bridewell claimed the Oxford Racing Ducati team their first Bennetts BSB race win in the third and final race of the weekend.
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
At the start of the race Ray again led the pack from Redding, Brookes and Buchan. However, race one victor Brookes was on the move and by lap three passed his teammate and then made a decisive move into Lodge to take the lead.
Brookes was trying to break the pack, but behind Bridewell was on the move, and was edging up the order and by the seventh lap was into third ahead of Redding.
There was disaster for Brookes though on lap 10 when he crashed out unhurt at Shell Oils corner, however the 2015 champion heads into the opening Showdown round of Assen with a three-point lead over Redding.
Bradley Ray – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Bridewell then had an advantage and the Showdown contender was able to hold a 3.798s lead at the chequered flag over Ray who celebrated his second podium finish of the weekend for Buildbase Suzuki, holding an advantage over Redding who completed the podium.
Buchan was a lonely fourth place for FS3-Racing Kawasaki ahead of an intense battle for fifth that was won by Glenn Irwin on the lone Tyco BMW after his teammate Iddon had another Showdown heartbreak with a technical problem forcing him out of the action.
Jason O’Halloran – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
O’Halloran was the leading McAMS Yamaha in sixth ahead of his teammate Mackenzie who confirmed his first-ever Showdown position after holding off fellow Showdown Title Fighter Hickman.
Vickers was ninth for the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team ahead of Andrew Irwin who finished tenth despite having to fight his way from the back of the grid and almost crashed when Iddon slowed instantly in front of him with a problem.
Tommy Bridewell
“WE DID IT. Can’t thank my team enough, they gave me a bike I could be inch perfect with – setting us up nicely for the showdown. Thanks for all the support, we knew the win would come, and it came today.”
Tommy Bridewell – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Josh Brookes
“I was trying to save the tyre at the beginning of the first race today to be clever at the end, but the reality was there was nothing in reserve at the end and the lap times were quick from start to finish. Everyone’s upped their game and riding well so we’re all pushing each other on, and I justmanaged to get Tommy on the run in to the line. Full credit to Scott though, he controlled the race and took a good win. The third race was going to plan until I unfortunately slid off and it wasn’t the ideal way to end the weekend. We’ve looked at the data and I wasn’t doing anything different to the previous laps, but we were on lap record pace and when you’re riding at that kind of pace, a millimetre or a bump can make the difference. I head into the Showdown leading the standings and whilst it would have been nice to have had a bigger gap, I’m ready for the challenge that lies ahead.”
Josh Brookes – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Scott Redding
“The first race was great, and I knew I had the pace to run at the front if I could make a better start. Morning warm-up gave me more confidence and I got the start in the race which I needed and with the bike working really well, I was able to get to the front. It still wasn’t easy and there were a couple of places on the track where I was giving away time, but I kept a tight line coming into the final corner and was over the moon to get the win. In the second race, I just didn’t have a good feeling with the rear tyre right from the word go. I was at the limit of what I could do with the tyre so it was a bit frustrating as I felt I could have made it win number two but I’ve come away with a win and two thirds and we head to my territory now so let’s try and get this championship won.”
Scott Redding – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Bradley Ray
“It’s been a pretty incredible weekend to be fair. After the positive weekend we had at Cadwell I’d have been happy to have come here and kept building on that confidence and come away with a few top-six finishes, so to be leading races and picking up a couple of podiums is incredible. Massive thanks to the team – they’ve not stopped working to get us to this point and have kept trying to help me feel more comfortable on the bike so it’s great to be able to reward them with some silverware. I think we’ve found a good base setting now and hopefully we can carry this on into Assen. Congratulations to ‘Coopes’ and the team on the Superstock championship, too; they’ve been consistently winning races all season so big well done to them.”
Bradley Ray – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Xavi Forés
“It’s been a difficult weekend, I expected a little more and to be fighting a bit more towards the Showdown. This morning’s race was better, the Fireblade and my pace was better from yesterday, but at this kind of track we struggle a lot and it was not possible to secure a place in the Showdown and fight with Hickman. I am disappointed as this year the Showdown was the target, but we tried our best and now I’m thinking about the next races; Assen and Donington – they are tracks I know well and hopefully I can enjoy riding again and try to bring the best results for the team, because I think we have done such hard work all season and I am looking forward to ride there and fight to be on the podium again.”
Xavi Fores – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Andrew Irwin
“This weekend has been a disaster really, but this is racing and is the way it goes, I’m still young and I don’t think anyone really expected me to fight for the Showdown this year but we were so close and we fought until the end. I won a race and now we have three rounds to have fun and get the best results we can for Honda. This weekend we showed how much the Fireblade has progressed here, before we were just about able to make Q2 and this time we made Q3, even though it didn’t count for anything we were still there. Thanks to the team, we have all worked hard so far this season and we still have three rounds, I’m not going to give up just yet and will be looking to get on the podium again and finish the year where I know I’m capable of.”
British Superbike Championship Race 3 Result
Pos
Rider
Bike/Team
Time/Gap
1
Tommy Bridewell
Ducati – Oxford Racing
26m53.172
2
Bradley Ray
Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki
+3.798
3
Scott Redding
Ducati – Be Wiser Ducati
+5.603
4
Danny Buchan
Kawasaki – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki
+10.571
5
Glenn Irwin
BMW – Tyco BMW Motorrad
+23.522
6
Jason O’halloran
Yamaha – McAMS Yamaha
+23.671
7
Tarran Mackenzie
Yamaha – McAMS Yamaha
+24.441
8
Peter Hickman
BMW – Smiths Racing
+26.961
9
Ryan Vickers
Kawasaki – RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki
+30.066
10
Andrew Irwin
Honda – Honda Racing
+30.851
11
Luke Mossey
Suzuki – OMG Racing Suzuki
+30.958
12
Luke Stapleford
Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki
+36.997
13
Claudio Corti
Kawasaki – Team WD-40
+37.832
14
Xavi Forés
Honda – Honda Racing
+37.906
15
Joe Francis
BMW – Lloyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad
+43.502
16
Dan Linfoot
Yamaha – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha
+45.192
17
Ben Currie
Kawasaki – Quattro Plant JG Speedfit Kawasaki
+52.276
18
Sam Coventry
Kawasaki – Team 64 Motorsports
+1m02.613
19
Shaun Winfield
Yamaha – Santander Salt TAG Yamaha
+1m18.006
Not Classified
DNF
Christian Iddon
BMW – Tyco BMW Motorrad
7 Laps
DNF
Alex Olsen
BMW – Smiths Racing
7 Laps
DNF
Josh Brookes
Ducati – Be Wiser Ducati
8 Laps
DNF
David Allingham
Yamaha – EHA Yamaha
8 Laps
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings
Pos
Rider/Bike
Total
1
Josh BROOKES (Ducati)
548
2
Scott REDDING (Ducati)
545
3
Tommy BRIDEWELL (Ducati)
524
4
Tarran MACKENZIE (Yamaha)
515
5
Danny BUCHAN (Kawasaki)
514
6
Peter HICKMAN (BMW)
501
7
Andrew IRWIN (Honda)
152
8
Xavi FORÉS (Honda)
148
9
Christian IDDON (BMW)
145
10
Jason O’HALLORAN (Yamaha)
131
11
Luke MOSSEY (Suzuki)
101
12
Bradley RAY (Suzuki)
98
13
Glenn IRWIN (Kawasaki / BMW)
83
14
Dan LINFOOT (Yamaha)
74
15
Luke STAPLEFORD (Suzuki)
71
16
Josh ELLIOTT (Suzuki)
58
17
Ryan VICKERS (Kawasaki)
56
18
Keith FARMER (BMW)
54
19
Héctor BARBERÁ (Kawasaki)
36
20
Claudio CORTI (Kawasaki)
30
21
James ELLISON (BMW / MV Agusta)
26
22
Michael LAVERTY (BMW)
12
23
Ben CURRIE (Kawasaki)
8
24
Dean HARRISON (Kawasaki)
8
25
Alex OLSEN (BMW)
7
26
Billy McCONNELL (Suzuki)
6
27
David ALLINGHAM (Yamaha)
6
28
Joe FRANCIS (BMW)
5
29
Gino REA (MV Agusta)
4
30
Sam COVENTRY (Kawasaki)
1
British Supersport & GP2 Race 2
Kyle Ryde took victory on track in the second race at Oulton Park on his GP2 machinery, as Brad Jones secures his maiden win in the Supersport class.
Kyle Ryde – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
It was an action-packed start to proceedings as Alastair Seeley crashed out of third on lap two and just one lap later series leader Jack Kennedy followed suit. With the two contenders out of action, it left Ryde and Jones to battle it out on track.
The safety car came out on lap six, with the race resuming three laps later. Crossing the line at the end of lap nine, Ryde was ahead on track with Jones in second and James Westmoreland third.
Brad Jones – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Having run on at the chicane earlier in the race, Mason Law was charging through the field on his GP2 machine moving up to third on track on lap 12. Coming down to the final lap, Ryde was able to hold on to win on track and secure the GP2 win with Jones following him behind to secure his debut win in the Supersport class.
Joining Ryde on the GP2 podium was Law and Sam Wilford while the Supersport podium was completed by Westmoreland in second and Richard Kerr in third, who claimed the final rostrum position at the final corner.
Mason Law – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Pos
Rider
Bike/Team
Time/Gap
1
Kyle Ryde
Kalex – Kovara projects by RS Racing
25m39.992
2
Brad Jones
Yamaha – Integro Yamaha
+0.321
3
Mason Law
ABM Triumph – ABM Quattro Racing
+1.689
4
James Westmoreland
Kawasaki – Gearlink Kawasaki
+6.730
5
Richard Kerr
Triumph – Campbell Motorsport
+7.672
6
Tom Oliver
Yamaha – SGR Racing
+7.795
7
Harry Truelove
Yamaha – Truelove Property & Construction
+7.933
8
Rory Skinner
Kawasaki – Watermans Team MSR
+8.347
9
Bradley Perie
Yamaha – Diamond H Racing
+9.807
10
Sam Wilford
Honda – IDWe Racing
+11.938
11
Ross Twyman
Chassis Factory – Nova Racing Transmissions/Go R
+12.179
12
Fraser Rogers
Kawasaki – Gearlink Kawasaki
+15.784
13
Bjorn Estment
Yamaha – Everquip Racing/Catfoss
+15.867
14
Jorel Boerboom
Honda – JB50 Racing
+16.494
15
Kurt Wigley
Yamaha – Sorrymate.com Racing
+16.750
16
Ryan Dixon
Yamaha – Ryan Dixon Racing
+25.875
17
Phil Wakefield
Yamaha – PWR
+25.998
18
Max Wadsworth
Yamaha – Specialised Group Racing
+29.501
19
Tomás De Vries
Chassis Factory – DAT Racing – Chassis Factory
+34.419
20
Ben Tolliday
Yamaha – Team Tolly Racing
+51.757
21
Alan Naylor
Yamaha – Donkey Box Racing
+55.411
Not Classified
DNF
Grant Mcintosh
Yamaha – Donkey Box Racing
7 Laps
DNF
Jack Kennedy
Yamaha – Integro Yamaha
13 Laps
DNF
Alastair Seely
Yamaha – EHA Yamaha
14 Laps
DNF
Ross Patterson
Yamaha – RPMMoto.com / Mayfair Homes Ltd
14 Laps
DNF
Thomas Strudwick
FTR Moto – Case FTR Moto / Spirit Motorcycles
/
British Supersport & British GP2 Cup Sprint Result
Pos
Rider
Bike/Team
Time/Gap
1
Jack Kennedy
Yamaha – Integro Yamaha
19m37.995
2
Alastair Seeley
Yamaha – EHA Yamaha
+3.346
3
Brad Jones
Yamaha – Integro Yamaha
+3.565
4
Kyle Ryde
Kalex – Kovara projects by RS Racing
+3.695
5
Mason Law
ABM Triumph – ABM Quattro Racing
+3.718
6
James Westmoreland
Kawasaki – Gearlink Kawasaki
+16.660
7
Tom Oliver
Yamaha – SGR Racing
+16.834
8
Richard Kerr
Triumph – Campbell Motorsport
+19.757
9
Harry Truelove
Yamaha – Truelove Property & Construction
+21.758
10
Charlie Nesbitt
Yamaha – Hisc/Rapid Fulfillment Racing
+22.096
11
Rory Skinner
Kawasaki – Watermans Team MSR
+25.393
12
Bradley Perie
Yamaha – Diamond H Racing
+26.726
13
Sam Wilford
Honda – IDWe Racing
+29.026
14
Ross Twyman
Chassis Factory – Nova Racing Transmissions/Go R
+29.158
15
Fraser Rogers
Kawasaki – Gearlink Kawasaki
+29.794
16
Bjorn Estment
Yamaha – Everquip Racing/Catfoss
+31.542
17
Ross Patterson
Yamaha – RPMMoto.com / Mayfair Homes Ltd
+36.589
18
Jorel Boerboom
Honda – JB50 Racing
+42.653
19
Kurt Wigley
Yamaha – Sorrymate.com Racing
+45.102
20
Ryan Dixon
Yamaha – Ryan Dixon Racing
+45.328
21
Max Wadsworth
Yamaha – Specialised Group Racing
+1m00.285
22
Tomás De Vries
Chassis Factory – DAT Racing – Chassis Factory
+1m4.563
23
Alan Naylor
Yamaha – Donkey Box Racing
+1 Lap
24
Grant Mcintosh
Yamaha – Donkey Box Racing
+1 Lap
Not Classified
DNF
Phil Wakwefield
Yamaha – PWR
2 Laps
DNF
Thomas Strudwick
FTR Moto – Case FTR Moto / Spirit Motorcycles
British Supersport & British GP2 Cup Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Jack KENNEDY
370
2
Brad JONES
333
3
Alastair SEELEY
297
4
Harry TRUELOVE
168
5
Richard KERR
164
6
Tom OLIVER
143
7
Bradley PERIE
114
8
Ben WILSON
111
9
Rory SKINNER
111
10
Charlie NESBITT
108
11
Lee JOHNSTON
104
12
Kurt WIGLEY
92
13
Ross PATTERSON
73
14
James WESTMORELAND
60
15
Ross TWYMAN
50
16
Phil WAKEFIELD
34
17
Tatsuya YAMAGUCHI
19
18
Eugene McMANUS
18
19
Ryan DIXON
17
20
Sam MUNRO
17
21
Matt WIGLEY
16
22
Alan NAYLOR
16
23
Ian HUTCHINSON
14
24
Fraser ROGERS
13
25
Bjorn ESTMENT
11
26
James McLAREN
6
27
William WHITE
6
28
Ben WOTTON
4
29
Michael MILLS
4
30
Max WADSWORTH
3
31
Grant McINTOSH
3
32
Ben TOLLIDAY
3
33
Dominic PETTIT
2
34
Aaron RIDEWOOD
2
35
Jason LYNN
1
36
Paul JORDAN
1
Pirelli Superstock 1000 Race 2
Richard Cooper powered his Suzuki to victory in the second Pirelli National Superstock 1000 race at Oulton Park, securing the 2019 title in the process.
Richard Cooper – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
After scorching off the line, Taylor Mackenzie led for the opening laps before a big crash from Eemeli Lahti saw the Safety Car deployed on lap four, with the race getting back underway at the start of lap eight.
A mistake from Lee Jackson saw him slip from third to sixth, but the FS-3 Kawasaki rider stormed back up to third with a string of fast laps, including setting a new lap record.
Taylor Mackenzie – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Coming down to the final lap, Cooper had taken the lead as Mackenzie tried to find a way through at Hislops but had to run on; leaving Cooper to take the win ahead of Jackson with Mackenzie eventually securing third.
Richard Cooper
“It wasn’t easy by a long way, and while it was unfortunate for Taylor [Mackenzie] that he had to come from the back of the grid in the first race that actually added a bit more pressure because it was mine to lose at that point. But coming into the weekend I didn’t even know that I could win it to be honest, we just came and did what we normally do and what we’ve done all year. Today’s race was so fast, the pace was incredible, but we were there at the front in a position to win and that’s where we’ve been every weekend. We’ve been on the podium at every round apart from one, and it’s that consistency and the complete package we have that’s given me, the team, and Suzuki the championship. I’m still buzzing about it, the whole weekend was good for the team, and we’re all going away happier.”
Richard Cooper – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Tom Neave had a positive weekend, beating his personal best times and finishing a lot closer to the leaders than in previous years. Qualifying sixth he got a fantastic start off the line in his first race to storm ahead and join the front group. It was looking like a podium spot was again on the cards, but his race came to an early end on the ninth lap when he crashed out unhurt.
With the bit between his teeth for today’s race, Neave was looking to finish the weekend on a high and started from the second row in fourth place. Another great start off the line saw him again in the front group where he stayed for the 14 laps. Crossing the line to take fifth place, Neave has moved back into seventh in the overall championship standings.
Tom Neave
“Oulton Park has gone from being one of my worse tracks to one of my favourites, I found a massive chunk of time here and I really started to enjoy riding it. Since Cadwell I feel I have my confidence with the Fireblade and hope we can now be strong for the next two rounds. The race was good today, I made a stupid mistake yesterday but today I was a little too cautious, but my sector times have improved, so every session has been a progression this weekend. We don’t go to Assen sadly, so I have a bit of a break before Donington and I just want to keep improving for the last two rounds and finish the year strong, they are two tracks I really enjoy and I’m feeling positive as we head to the final rounds.”
Tom Neave – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Levi Day
“Started P10 today and came away finishing P9! Had good pace today and in a good rhythm, safety car came out for a few laps and it didnt quite come together after that. But two top tens we will take for the weekend and happy enough with that! Work to do to make some improvements but the hard work never stops and I’ll keep progressing! Big thanks to all the crew at IN Competition Aprilia, AJN Steelstock and all the sponsors and supporters. Now on to the Goodwood Revival next weekend on a 1960’s Manx Norton.”
Levi Day – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Brayden Elliott
“An up and down weekend at Oulton Park but nice to finish the round with a great feeling in race two! Battled hard for points missing out in P17 fighting my way forward from P28. Set some strong times during the race and by far the quickest I have ever lapped around Oulton Park. Thanks to the great group of people around me that continue to put in the support and effort to make it happen.”
Brayden Elliott – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
Pirelli Superstock 1000 Race 2 Results
Pos
Rider
Bike/Team
Time/Gap
1
Richard Cooper
Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki
24m00.047
2
Lee Jackson
Kawasaki – FS-3 Racing Ltd
+2.615
3
Taylor Mackenzie
BMW – Bathams Racing
+2.808
4
Chrissy Rouse
Kawasaki – Morello Racing Kawasaki
+2.991
5
Tom Neave
Honda – Honda Racing
+5.267
6
Luke Hedger
Kawasaki – CPD Kawasaki
+7.907
7
Lewis Rollo
Aprilia – IN Competition
+8.187
8
Jordan Weaving
Suzuki – Jones Dorling Racing
+9.623
9
Levi Day
Aprilia – IN Competition
+12.345
10
George Stanley
Suzuki – BWSR/Hawk Racing
+12.442
11
Leon Jeacock
Suzuki – Geo E Davies Racing
+12.709
12
Tim Neave
Suzuki – Neave/Hawk Racing
+13.223
13
Tom Ward
Suzuki – Bradbury Racing powered by Robinsons S
+13.393
14
Daniel Cooper
BMW – Impcross Engineering Racing
+18.530
15
Rob Mcnealy
BMW – McNealy Brown
+18.628
16
Milo Ward
Kawasaki – G&S Racing
+18.830
17
Brayden Elliott
Suzuki – No Bull Racing CPE Motosport
+18.981
18
Paul Mcclung
BMW – Paul McClung Racing (PMR)
+21.834
19
Aaron Clarke
BMW – KCB Motorsport
+22.587
20
Joe Sheldon-Shaw
Kawasaki – Via Moto Racing
+23.418
21
Ashley Beech
BMW – NP Motorcycles
+23.550
22
Luke Hopkins
BMW – Hopkins Racing
+25.759
23
Josh Daley
BMW – Josh Daley Racing
+32.565
24
James Henry
Yamaha – TEL Racing
+32.721
25
Jamie Tibble
Kawasaki – Team Tibble
+36.781
26
Richard White
BMW – Onsite Contractors BMW
+38.476
27
Paul Westerdale
Suzuki – Westerdale Racing
+44.406
Not Classified
DNF
James White
Kawasaki – Team Afterdark
2 Laps
DNF
Nico Cipriano
Kawasaki – Nico Cipriano Racing
2 Laps
DNF
Barry Teasdale
BMW – TwoTwoFour Motorsport
4 Laps
DNF
Benjamin Godfrey
Suzuki – Jones Dorling Racing
9 Laps
DNF
Joe Collier
Kawasaki – CPD Kawasaki
11 Laps
DNF
Eemeli Lahti
Kawasaki – STAUFF Quick Connect Superstock 100
11 Laps
DNF
Tom Tunstall
BMW – Integro
13 Laps
DNF
Lee Williams
Kawasaki – Team Willo/Hi-Tech Coatings
13 Laps
DNF
Graeme Irwin
Kawasaki – Team #109 Kawasaki
/
DNF
Luke Jones
Ducati – Highsparks Motorsport
/
DNF
Josh Wood
Kawasaki – Wood/Belt Racing
/
Pirelli Superstock 1000 Standings
Pos
Rider
Total
1
Richard COOPER
344.5
2
Taylor MACKENZIE
285
3
Lee JACKSON
202
4
Alex OLSEN
150.5
5
Lewis ROLLO
124.5
6
Chrissy ROUSE
122.5
7
Tom NEAVE
119.5
8
Luke HEDGER
103.5
9
Eemeli LAHTI
89.5
10
Levi DAY
80
11
Andrew REID
58.5
12
Tom WARD
53
13
Billy McCONNELL
50.5
14
Tim NEAVE
49.5
15
Benjamin GODFREY
48.5
16
Joe COLLIER
35
17
Luke JONES
34
18
Leon JEACOCK
30
19
Jordan WEAVING
21.5
20
George STANLEY
18
21
Rob McNEALY
13
22
Michael RUTTER
13
23
Barry TEASDALE
13
24
Bjorn ESTMENT
11
25
Dan COOPER
11
26
Paul McLUNG
8.5
27
Graeme IRWIN
8
28
Milo WARD
6
29
Brayden ELLIOTT
5
30
Ashley BEECH
4
31
Tom TUNSTALL
3.5
32
Dan STAMPER
3.5
33
Lee WILLIAMS
2
34
James WHITE
2
35
Davey TODD
1
36
James HENRY
1
37
Aaron CLARKE
0.5
38
Craig NEVE
0.5
39
Joe SHELDON-SHAW
0.5
Hel Performance British Motostar
Brandon Paasch nabbed victory in the second Motostar race at Oulton Park, beating Josh Whatley by just 0.158s. As he did yesterday, Dan Jones stormed off the line and into the lead but disaster would strike a few laps later when he crashed out on lap four; leaving the battle for the lead between Whatley, Paasch, Jake Archer and Scott Swann.
Brandon Paasch – 2019 British Superbike Championship – Round 9, Oulton Park
While the latter would also slip out of the race on lap ten, the race came down the final lap with Paasch able to fend off Whatley. Ed Best completed the podium in third whilst Cameron Horsman secured victory in the Standard class.
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 9 – Oulton Park – Saturday
Josh Brookes maintained his winning momentum at Oulton Park to claim his seventh Bennetts British Superbike Championship victory of the season, extending his podium points advantage to six in a dramatic opening race of the triple-header weekend that saw Danny Buchan confirmed in the Showdown.
British Superbike Podium Race One Oulton Park 2019
There was drama for Honda Racing before the start of the race when Xavi Forés crashed out on the sighting lap to the grid; the Showdown hopeful returned to pitlane and the team turned him around in time to start from very back of the grid alongside teammate Andrew Irwin.
The race began with a sensational start from Bradley Ray who launched into the lead on the opening lap, but Brookes had moved ahead by the time the pack streamed down Lakeside for the first time.
Bradley Ray scored the holeshot
However a crash on the third lap involving David Allingham, Shaun Winfield and Andrew Irwin ruled the Honda Racing rider out of the race and the chance to score any points towards his Showdown bid.
Andrew Irwin, Glenn Irwin and Xavi Fores
A lap later and Peter Hickman was another rider fighting for a Showdown place to crash out of the race; the Smiths Racing BMW rider limped back to pitlane and then Dan Linfoot also crashed out in a separate incident and the race was red flagged.
The Smiths Racing BMW team rushed to turn around the damaged machine but Hickman was not able to make the restart. However, his bid for a Showdown place is still very much alive with just a single point between him and Andrew Irwin ahead of Sunday’s two final races of the main season before the three Showdown rounds get underway.
British Superbike at Oulton Park
On the restart Brookes got off to a lightning start from the front row and was ahead of Tommy Bridewell, Ray and Christian Iddon, who is also on a quest to secure a Showdown place for the first time.
Josh Brookes leading Tommy Bridewell
Jason O’Halloran though was fighting hard on the leading McAMS Yamaha and he made a move ahead of Iddon on lap two.
Jason O’Halloran
Bridewell then moved into the lead of the race on the fourth lap, but there was heartbreak for Oxford Racing Ducati when two laps later he was forced to retire with a technical problem as he aimed for the team’s first race win.
Josh Brookes leading Tommy Bridewell
That put Brookes back in command at the front of the pack with Ray in hot pursuit with Buchan, O’Halloran and Iddon in the chasing pack with Scott Redding holding sixth place ahead of Tarran Mackenzie.
By lap eight, Redding had made a move on Iddon to move up the order as O’Halloran had dropped back behind the Tyco BMW.
Redding was hounding Buchan and on lap 12 a moment for the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider gave his Be Wiser Ducati rival the invitation he needed to make a pass and move into third place with two laps remaining of the 14-lap restart.
Brookes held the lead at the chequered flag to extend his advantage over a confident Redding ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
There were big celebrations for Buildbase Suzuki and Ray who claimed their first podium finish of 2019 in second place ahead of Redding.
Podium Interviews
Buchan’s fourth place secured both his and the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki team’s first Showdown fight, holding off Iddon and O’Halloran.
The result for Iddon in race one, and the disaster for Andrew Irwin and Hickman, has now put him to within ten points of sixth place in the standings.
Tarran Mackenzie was eighth in the opening race and has 13 points advantage over Andrew Irwin ahead of tomorrow’s two races.
Alex Olsen had an impressive debut for Smiths Racing BMW in ninth ahead of Ryan Vickers in tenth.
Josh Brookes – P1
“Every race is important; we’re heading into the Showdown after this round so every point’s critical. It was a difficult race; obviously the stop-start added an element with the tyres, but it’s the same for everyone. I tried as hard as I could to make a break and control the race but Tom’s [Bridewell] pace was really strong. When he came past I thought ‘oh this is good, I’ll just see if I can follow him for a while’ and he was riding really, really well. Not only fast but it looked really in control, no dodginess or aggression, it was just controlled. I was like ‘well, this is going to be a race threat’ and then unfortunately I don’t know what happened but his bike stopped. I was actually in the slipstream at the time and it really gave me a shock, but fortunately no-one collected with him and then I had Brad right there for a number of laps. I was pushing really hard and I could feel the tyres starting to give trouble and I just kept seeing zero on the board so I knew Brad was right there. I just pushed on and finally I was able to see a little gap on the board starting to show and just happy to bring it home. Credit to him, he’s obviously riding really well again himself because we’ve seen before how strong he can be.”
Josh Brookes
Danny Buchan
“I am so pleased; I am over the moon, to be in the Showdown. It did seem like today has been against me since waking up! I crashed on oil in Q1 and then didn’t get back out in qualifying, so we ended up being down on track time which wasn’t ideal. But then I got a great start in race one from all the way back on the grid. To be honest I think races where you start towards the back and then have to work your way through are usually some of the best races of your career and that is what it was like today. Then after the red flag I started ninth for the restart and that was obviously better. The bike felt different today after some big set up changes which was a bit of a stab in the dark with the set-up. I had a small problem towards the end of the race which meant Scott Redding went past and I missed out on a podium, but then I had a little off on the in lap – you just couldn’t make this stuff up! We’ll make some changes tomorrow; me and my bike will have a few words tonight and rekindle our relationship! But big credit to FS-3 and the team for all their hard work, they deserved it today!”
2019 British Superbike Championship Points Standings
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 9 – Oulton Park
Josh Brookes held the advantage after the opening day of Bennetts British Superbike Championship action at Oulton Park today (Friday), launching the Be Wiser Ducati to the top of the times by 0.508s to hold off a determined Danny Buchan for FS3-Racing Kawasaki.
Brookes set the pace in both sessions, maintaining his momentum from earlier in the season when he claimed a double race win at the Cheshire circuit, to have the edge over his rivals as Buchan chases a place in the top six this weekend ahead of the Showdown.
Josh Brookes
“I think that having good speed here at the start of the year has made a big difference to the start of today. However we did start out with the settings from Cadwell Park, but to be fair they are not really a lot different to what we ran at this circuit at the previous round. The bike is in a nice place I think in general from Cadwell Park to now and previous rounds. Things have been refined and good and I already had a good mental space because of winning here earlier in the year. I got on the track, the bike felt like it should, the track felt familiar from earlier in the year and a familiar feeling with the setting. It all came really natural today; I didn’t have to think too much, or try too hard or do anything to do the laps.”
Friday Practice Onboard Video Highlights
Tommy Bridewell was third fastest on the Oxford Racing Ducati as he bids to close down the Podium Points deficit this weekend to Brookes and the second Be Wiser Ducati of Scott Redding, who held fourth place at the chequered flag.
Christian Iddon led the Tyco BMW charge in fifth place ahead of his teammate Glenn Irwin and Bradley Ray on the Buildbase Suzuki who completed the top six. Dan Linfoot was also in close contention on the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha.
Peter Hickman was ninth fastest as he fights to edge into the top six, the Smiths Racing BMW rider trailing Andrew Irwin by a single point. In free practice today, he was a single place ahead of Irwin on the timesheets with the Honda Racing rider completing the top 10.
Other Showdown hopefuls Tarran Mackenzie and Xavi Forés were 15th and 18th respectively.
Billy McConnell had been called up to replaced Josh Elliott this weekend on the OMG Suzuki Superbike but unfortunately the South Australian crashed in FP2 and broke his collarbone.
2019 British Superbike Championship Round 9 – Oulton Park
Crunch time: Who will remain in the Showdown six at crucial Oulton Park decider After eight rounds and 17 races, it’s crunch time in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend (6/7/8 September) as the final three places in the crucial title-fighting Showdown six are decided over three races at Oulton Park circuit in Cheshire.
Josh Brookes, the double winner from Oulton Park earlier in the season, is already confirmed in the Showdown, making him the rider in the series with the most Showdown appearances. The Australian heads the pack into the three races this weekend and has a narrow two-point advantage in the podium points standings over his Be Wiser Ducati teammate Scott Redding.
Josh Brookes was victorious at Oulton Park early this season
The 2015 champion will be doing all he can to extend his advantage this weekend before the final Showdown fight for the 2019 crown gets underway at Assen later in the month.
Josh Brookes
“I’m looking forward to the weekend, Oulton Park isn’t particularly one of my favourite circuits but after my double win earlier in the year I’m more excited about the place. It’s an important round as it’s a triple header, that’s a good opportunity to get the edge over the competition being it’s the last round before the showdown starts. It was at the Oulton Park test early in the season that we first found a base set-up I was happy with, and I’m looking forward to see how recent changes to the bike feel going back to that circuit again.”
Josh Brookes claimed top Superbike honours at Oulton Park BSB earlier in the year
Redding however is fired up to battle for a return to the podium following a tough outing last time out at Cadwell Park, where he finished fourth in the opening race before crashing out when he was collected by Andrew Irwin in race two. The former MotoGP rider missed out on a podium finish at Oulton Park earlier in the season on his first visit to the challenging Cheshire circuit, but will want to put that right this weekend and regain the standings lead.
Scott Redding
The final rider whose place is already confirmed in the top six for the Showdown is Tommy Bridewell; the Devizies rider claiming the Oxford Racing Ducati team its first appearance in the Showdown after securing his spot at Cadwell Park. Bridewell and the team have achieved 10 podium finishes so far this season, but the first win has eluded the Winchester team so far – something they are focused on putting right this weekend in Cheshire.
Leading the chase for the remaining Showdown places is Danny Buchan and FS3-Racing Kawasaki, currently in fourth place. The former Superstock 1000 champion and the team have yet to feature in a Showdown and, with a 40-point advantage over Tarran Mackenzie in fifth, it could be another first for them this weekend after their debut win at Knockhill earlier in the season.
Danny Buchan – FS-3 Racing Kawasaki
“I did not think I would be 40 points clear of the next rider coming away from Cadwell Park. To have that is huge. Last year I was scraping around for points and I promised myself this year I wouldn’t be doing that again in the last race before the Showdown – I was quite adamant I didn’t want that to be me this year! I am going to treat Oulton Park like I have every race this season; I want to be on the podium again. It would be massive for myself and the team to make the Showdown for the first time.”
Danny Buchan at Cadwell Park with Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell
Tumbling down the standings following his crash at Thruxton that left him sidelined with a wrist injury, Tarran Mackenzie left Cadwell Park last time out still clinging on to fifth place in the standings, with a slender six-point lead over Peter Hickman, who currently lies seventh and the first rider ready to try and overhaul the opposition ahead of him.
McAMS Yamaha’s Mackenzie is hoping the break since the last round will have aided his recovery after salvaging points at the previous round, as he also bids for a Showdown spot for the first time in his career.
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
“I am hoping that the wrist feels much better at Oulton Park than it did at the last round. I think that if my wrist is ok and I feel good there is no reason why I can’t fight for podiums or at least the top five so fingers crossed that would be good enough to get me in the Showdown. Anything can still happen and I just need to arrive as fit as possible and ready to roll. This year the goal was always to be in the Showdown and fight for the championship. I know I am quite a few points off from the lead in the standings with the Podium Points, but that is the beauty of the Showdown really because once you are in it you still have a good chance of being in the battle.”
Tarran Mackenzie
Holding the final place in the top six ahead of the three races this weekend is Honda Racing’s Andrew Irwin, but only by a single point from Hickman. The Thruxton race winner is another contender aiming for his first Showdown appearance, but he will be starting from the back row of the grid in the opening race following a penalty received at Cadwell Park for the incident with Redding.
Andrew Irwin – Honda Racing
“In my head, and I have always said that I have wanted to be in the Showdown this year. I wanted to be in a position to fight for a place in the top six, that is what we are doing, and now we have one round to go. At the minute we go to the next round in a better place than the riders in seventh and eighth if you look at it that way, looking at the points. I don’t feel like there is any pressure because I feel that people don’t expect us to get through because the last time at Oulton Park are rivals were much stronger than what we were. I don’t give up I never do. OK, I have to start at the back of the grid for the first race of the weekend, but you never know what is possible and anything can happen in the races.”
Andrew Irwin
Smiths Racing BMW’s Hickman has featured in two Showdowns previously and has also been in the position before of fighting to secure a place in the top six at the final hurdle. He’s the only rider to have scored points in every race so far this season and knows he needs to be ahead of Mackenzie and Irwin in the three races this weekend.
Peter Hickman
The second Honda Racing rider, Xavi Forés, is also heading to Oulton Park in contention for a place in the Showdown in his debut season. The Spaniard has only just dropped out of the top six, trailing teammate Irwin by just five points, and could still snatch his place in the closing stages.
Christian Iddon is 21 points adrift of Irwin ahead of the three races at his home circuit this weekend, but with a maximum 75 points available, the Tyco BMW rider has yet to give up on his hopes of sealing a place in the Showdown for the first time, after coming so close in recent seasons.
Jason O’Halloran is hoping for a return to full fitness and the chance to pick up three strong results on the McAMS Yamaha to boost his points tally.
The Australian rider who is based at Market Rasen has not had the best of luck this season and has struggled with his left shoulder since he crashed at Snetterton. He visited a shoulder specialist after the Cadwell races where detailed scans revealed he had a dislocated AC joint and fractured greater tuberosity (top of humerus bone). Fortunately these are injuries that will heal naturally and no surgery is required.
Currently O’Halloran is 10th in the rider standings, some 45-points away from a place in the end of season showdown where the top six riders go head to head in the race for the title of British Superbike championship 2019. Although unlikely it is not impossible for O’Halloran to make it up into the top six as there are three races at Oulton Park with 75 points on offer for the winner of the three races and you can guarantee the Australian rider will be not be giving up easily.
Jason O’Halloran
2019 British Superbike Championship Points Standings
Josh Brookes could barely have asked for a better weekend at the Cadwell Park BSB, with the two Superbike races seeing him record a 2-1 result to claim the 2019 King of the Mountain title, alongside a 12-point lead in the championship standings heading into Oulton Park.
Josh Brookes – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Danny Buchan took the Race 1 win from Brookes and Tommy Bridewell, with Scott Redding a distant fourth. Race 2 saw the trio once again dominate, this time led by Brookes, with Bridewell runner up by 0.476s and Buchan a more distant third.
The results left Josh Brookes holding the Superbike championship lead on 271-points, with Scott Redding on 259, and Tommy Bridewell on 243, with the three riders confirmed as Title Fighters in the Showdown as a result.
Josh Brookes – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Josh Brookes
“That’s the racing that I know I can do! In race one I didn’t have anything more for Danny, he deservingly won that race. Race two we went out with a new setting, a couple of little changes, I saw where Danny was stronger and realised where I wasn’t strong enough. Fortunately we were able to make a change to the bike to bridge that gap and then I had Tommy to battle with! It was a great race and Tommy was riding really, really well. I felt like I could see the way he was riding was every bit of the tyre it had, and then with a couple of laps to go I thought surely there’s got to be a little bit of a weakness in the grip area so I pounced to try and see if I could lead, and fortunately I was able to hold him at bay.”
Josh Brookes tops the Race 2 podium from Buchan and Bridewell – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
British Superbike Race 1
In the opening race of the day Brookes launched off the pole position into the lead on the opening lap from Danny Buchan, Jason O’Halloran and Tommy Bridewell. However, Oxford Racing Ducati’s Bridewell was instantly trying to make a move and dived ahead of O’Halloran on lap three.
Race Start – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Buchan was all over Brookes, but it wasn’t until the eleventh lap that he could make a move, which he did at Mansfield to snatch the lead. The FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider continued to try to break away from the chasing Ducatis of Brookes and Bridewell, and at the chequered flag he managed to edge a gap of 1.047s.
Brookes kept Bridewell at bay as Scott Redding missed out on a debut podium at Cadwell Park. The Be Wiser Ducati rider was able to carve his way up through the field in a hard-fought race, running tenth over the opening laps before scoring a strong fourth place.
Josh Brookes – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Peter Hickman had been chasing down Redding; the pair able to take advantage of a mistake from Christian Iddon who had been running fourth, but ran off track on the final lap and managed to salvage sixth place.
O’Halloran was seventh as he held off the second Tyco BMW of Glenn Irwin, who led his brother Andrew to the chequered flag.
Jason O’Halloran – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Ryan Vickers completed the top 10 for the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team ahead of Luke Stapleford and Gino Rea, who impressed on his debut with Bike Devil Sweda MV Agusta.
Race 1 podium 1) Danny Buchan, 2) Josh Brookes, 3) Tommy Bridewell – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
British Superbike Race 2
In race two Bridewell got off to a flying start, firing the Oxford Racing Ducati to the front of the pack ahead of Brookes and Buchan, with the BMWs of Hickman and Iddon in close pursuit.
Josh Brookes – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
The drama started early in the race, with Andrew Irwin colliding with Redding on the second lap, sending them both crashing out of the race. The Honda Racing rider was penalised with two penalty points for contact causing a crash which means, having reached a cumulative five penalty points, he will start from the back of the grid for the next race at Oulton Park.
At the front Bridewell was holding the lead until Brookes made a decisive move at Park corner on lap 12 and then he kept his rival at bay until the chequered flag with Buchan claiming another podium finish. The results mean that Brookes, Bridewell and Redding are now confirmed Title Fighters in the Showdown.
Josh Brookes – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Iddon moved to within 21 points of the Showdown with a fourth place for Tyco BMW, holding off Hickman in the closing stages of the race with Glenn Irwin taking his best result of the season on the second Tyco BMW in sixth.
Ryan Vickers was seventh for the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team to claim his best result of his rookie season ahead of Luke Stapleford and Xavi Forés with Billy McConnell completing the top 10 on his stand-in appearance for OMG Racing Suzuki.
Peter Hickman – Cadwell Park BSB 2019
Jason O’Halloran finished 14th on the McAMS Yamaha in Race 2 and currently sits 10th in the overall standings.
