From an almost deserted Knockhill, spectator wise, over the weekend of the 24th/25th of July the Bennetts British Superbikes and supporting races hunkered down at Brands Hatch. Many spectators braved the predicted bad weather so that they could once again enjoy live racing, which in pandemic ridden times, has been the exception for eighteen months.
Race One:
Quali for race one partly looked like a re-match from Knockhill, with Tarran Mackenzie on pole, Tommy Bridewell P2 and Rory Skinner P3. The start of the race looked much the same with lap one settling down and Tarran Mackenzie in the lead with Bradley Ray now P2 and Rory Skinner P3. It was a blistering start from the grid and looked to be set for an exciting Bike Social race one, but soon there was a safety car, followed quickly by a red flag. Brad Jones had crashed, and with the medical team in attendance, the race was stopped.
After an understandably long delay, there was the re-start with the grid formation the same as the first start, however, the bikes were unchanged, and a shortened race, only 12 laps.
Once again Tarran Mackenzie shot away at the start and as the lap settled it was Tarran on his McAMS Yamaha in the lead with Bradley Ray P2 and Christian Iddon P3. By lap two it was Iddon in P2 chasing down Mackenzie with Ray P3 and Tommy Bridewell P4, though soon he slipped past Christian Iddon to settle in behind Mackenzie.
From lap four nothing changed in the podium positions and so over the line the final places were Tarran Mackenzie, McAMS Yamaha, Tommy Bridewell, Oxford Products Racing Ducati P2 and Christian Iddon, Vision Track Ducati P3.
Brad Jones was evacuated to a hospital in London via helicopter, as he was unconscious at the scene of the accident, and later it was reported that he was in a medically induced coma, and there would be no further updates for at least 48 hours. We extend our thoughts to his family, friends and team.
Race Two. Sunday 25th.
The grid for race two had Danny Buchan on pole, Tarran Mackenzie P2 and Christian Iddon P3.
Danny Buchan on his SYNETIQ BMW made a flying start and into the lead on lap one with Tarran Mackenzie P2 and Christian Iddon P3, and Jason O’Halloran P4, and then P3 with Danny Kent P4, although within a few corners he pulled his Buildbase Suzuki over to the grass for a DNF.
This was an exciting close race between the leading group of six riders. By lap six Jason O’Halloran pulled into the lead, so it was all the sixes with O’Halloran, Bridewell, Mackenzie, Buchan, Iddon and Skinner putting on the show.
Across the line was Jason O’Halloran, McAMS Yamaha, P2 Tommy Bridewell, Oxford Racing Products Racing Ducati, and P3 Tarran Mackenzie, McAMS Yamaha.
Race Three. Sunday 25th
The grid was Jason O’Halloran on pole, Tommy Bridewell P2 and Tarran Mackenzie P3. It was declared a wet race due to the damp conditions, and the riders chose a variety of tyre combinations trying to work out the best for the difficult conditions
Lap one saw Jason O’Halloran take the lead with his McAMS Yamaha team mate Tarran Mackenzie P2 and Gino Rea P3. Josh Brookes was sensational on his Vision Track Ducati coming from 16th on the grid to first in a lap!. Tyre choice was a critical part of race three, and Brookes was on wets.
Danny Buchan on his SYNETIQ BMW had led most of the race with Christian Iddon and Josh Brookes keeping him honest, when on lap 12 Gino Rea’s Suzuki gave out, with flames coming out of the exhaust. On the already still damp track and the possibility Rea’s bike having contaminated the track surface with oil, the race was red flagged!
For the re-start, as it was originally declared a wet race, tyres could be changed, and were, as mechanics scrambled to change to slicks and of course spring settings etc., to get a “dry” set up. It was to be a seven lap “sprint” race. The lineup on the grid was Danny Buchan, Christian Iddon and Josh Brookes.
On lap one, it was Danny Buchan in the lead, with Glenn Irwin, Honda Racing P2 and Christian Iddon P3.
The seven laps were fast and furious and on the final lap with Christian Iddon in the lead, an on-fire Tarran Mackenzie went past Danny Buchan, and a couple of corners later so did his team mate Jason O’Halloran.
Over the line, it was Christian Iddon Vision Track Ducati P1, Tarran Mackenzie McAMS Yamaha P2 and Jason O’Halloran McAMS Yamaha P3.
Tarran Mackenzie took the Monster Energy King of Brands, looking feisty and consistent all weekend.
See you at Thruxton.
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Author: Martin Northern
Founder of Bike Directory
