A fantastic weekend for our Eazi-Grip supported teams and riders at the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch! Read all about it here…
Qualifying
Tarran Mackenzie claimed his first pole position of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch, with a stylish performance that put the McAMS Yamaha at the top of the times in SUPERPICKS Qualifying by 0.282s.
The final stage of Qualifying was led initially by rookie sensation Rory Skinner who set the early benchmark in the opening stages of the session on the drying track ahead of Tommy Bridewell.
It was a disastrous qualifying session for Jason O’Halloran on the second of the McAMS Yamahas as he slid out at Paddock Hill Bend, and despite making it back to pitlane, he will start 18th on the grid for today’s opening BikeSocial race.
As the session progressed, Skinner was still holding the edge and with three minutes to go, Mackenzie had cut his advantage to just 0.001s, before the McAMS Yamaha rider was able to move ahead with a minute remaining.
Bridewell was on a flier too and he moved up ahead of Skinner in the final minute to put the Oxford Products Racing Ducati on the front row, bumping Bradley Ray into fourth position to head the second row this afternoon.
Danny Buchan will start BikeSocial Race 1 alongside Ray, which is completed by Peter Hickman, with an all BMW powered second row.
Christian Iddon leads row three in seventh position, with teammate and defending champion Josh Brookes in 12th place, with Danny Kent, Glenn Irwin and Lee Jackson completing the top ten, featuring all six manufacturers.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, SUPERPICKS Qualifying result:
1. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1m:26.192s
2. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.282s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Rory Skinner (FS-3 Kawasaki) +0.298s
4. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +0.364s
5. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.728s
6. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.768s
7. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.799s
8. Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.829s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.970s
10. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +1.010s
Race 1
Tarran Mackenzie became the fourth different race winner of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch as the McAMS Yamaha rider held off the challenge from his rivals in the opening race of the weekend.
Mackenzie fired the McAMS Yamaha off the pole position to take the lead in the 12-lap restarted race, ahead of Bradley Ray and Christian Iddon with Danny Buchan fourth, ahead of Tommy Bridewell, who didn’t get the launch he wanted off the line, in fifth.
Iddon was pushing hard in his quest to extend his advantage at the top of the times and by the end of lap two, he had moved into second. Bridewell was also cutting his way through the pack after his poor start and he was shadowing Iddon by the fourth before making a decisive move at Surtees to move into second position.
Bridewell then chased Mackenzie, but the McAMS Yamaha rider just had the edge to the chequered flag with the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider forced to settle for second. Iddon was able to claim the final podium position though to extend his advantage over Jason O’Halloran in the standings.
Buchan was in the fight for the podium positions but he just missed out for SYNETIQ BMW in fourth place, however just behind him, O’Halloran had delivered a heroic effort to move up the order from his sixth row grid start to finish in the top five.
Lee Jackson led the FS-3 Kawasaki team charge in sixth place, pushing Ray back into seventh on the Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW.
Rory Skinner held on to eighth place after a tough race from his front row starting position to finish ahead of defending champion Josh Brookes.
Danny Kent completed the top ten for Buildbase Suzuki, nudging Glenn Irwin into eleventh for Honda Racing.
The race had been restarted after Brad Jones (iForce Lloyd & Jones BMW)) crashed on the opening lap at Clark Curve. The race was immediately red flagged and he was attended to by trackside and vehicle medical teams.
The rider was unconscious at the scene and transferred to the circuit medical centre for further treatment. He has been evacuated by helicopter to Kings College Hospital, London with a head injury. He remains unconscious. Further information will provided when available.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, BikeSocial Race 1 result:
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch Race 1:
Race 2
Jason O’Halloran claimed his fourth win of the 2021 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch to reclaim the position at the top of the standings by three points after race two.
Danny Buchan had initially taken the lead from pole position into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time ahead of Tarran Mackenzie and Christian Iddon.
The VisionTrack Ducati rider was instantly on the attack and he moved into second at Hawthorns on the opening lap. A moment for Mackenzie at Westfield dropped him back into fifth, but his McAMS Yamaha teammate O’Halloran had moved into second position, diving down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend on lap four.
A lap later and O’Halloran grabbed the advantage with a decisive move into Stirlings, pushing Buchan into second. However, Iddon was also piling the pressure on the SYNETIQ BMW rider and on the sixth lap; he made his move into Paddock Hill Bend.
Bridewell though was carving his way up the order after losing out off the line and he was soon threatening for a podium position. By half race distance, the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider was into second. Iddon fought back to reclaim the position but Bridewell was determined and soon back ahead.
Bridewell was chasing down O’Halloran, however despite getting within striking distance; he ended second to score his fourth podium of the season as the McAMS Yamaha team claimed its second win of the weekend.
The battle for the final podium position went down to the wire with Buchan holding third ahead of the final five laps. Behind him however, race one winner Mackenzie was aiming to make amends for his earlier moment, charging through late on to pass Iddon and Buchan to steal the final place on the rostrum.
Buchan was then under pressure from Iddon as he made a final attack over the closing laps to try and claim fourth position. Despite the pair trading blows on the penultimate lap, Buchan had the edge at the chequered flag.
Rory Skinner was able to lead the FS-3 Kawasaki charge in sixth place ahead of teammate Lee Jackson. They had a comfortable margin over Glenn Irwin, Peter Hickman and Gino Rea who completed the top ten.
It was another disastrous race for defending champion Josh Brookes, finishing outside the points in 18th place as his woes continued as he bids to be comfortable again on the VisionTrack Ducati in dry conditions.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2, Result
1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
2. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +2.188s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +5.845s
4. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad) +5.758s
5. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +6.503s
6. Eazi-Grip supported Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +8.658s
7. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +9.865s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +18.410s
9. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +18.823s
10. Gino Rea (Buildbase Suzuki) +19.093s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch Race 2:
1. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 141
2. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 138
3. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 117
4. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 117
5. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 100
6. Eazi-Grip supported Rory Skinner (FS-3 Kawasaki) 79
7. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) 65
8. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 64
Race 3
Christian Iddon became the third different race winner of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship weekend at Brands Hatch as the VisionTrack Ducati rider claimed a gutsy win in a restarted seven-lap sprint to the chequered flag. The standings leader held off a late charge from Tarran Mackenzie who was crowned Monster Energy King of Brands.
The initial race start was declared wet, but as conditions continued to change there were a variety of tyre choices throughout the grid. As the race got underway Josh Brookes launched to the head of the field from his 16th place on his sixth row starting position, having opted for wet option on both front and rear.
The defending champion has been relishing the damp conditions this weekend and he headed the pack from Jason O’Halloran, Danny Buchan and Gino Rea. The VisionTrack Ducati gapped the pack initially but by lap, five the conditions had started to change and Buchan had moved into the lead.
Buchan was then holding the leading position as he began to take advantage of his intermediate rear and wet front combination as the SYNETIQ BMW rider bridged the gap on Brookes who was soon under attack from his teammate Iddon.
Iddon’s choice of an intermediate front and slick rear was coming into play and he was charging through the order as he moved into second and was hunting Buchan on a drying track. However a blow up from Gino Rea brought out the red flag and it would be a seven lap sprint to decide the final winner of the weekend.
The restarted race was declared dry and Buchan launched into the lead ahead of Glenn Irwin and Christian Iddon, with the pair wasting no time in making their moves on the opening lap. Iddon had hit the front of the pack, but Buchan regained second place with Glenn Irwin in third.
Tarran Mackenzie though was firing his way through the order and after running seventh on the opening lap, he was then inside the top five after the opening four laps.
As the race reached three laps to go, Iddon was still ahead with Buchan shadowing his every move with a resurgent Brookes holding third place. Mackenzie moved into the final podium position placing on the fifth lap with a move into Paddock Hill Bend.
At the front, Buchan grabbed the lead on the penultimate lap, with a lunge down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend, but as the pair approached Druids, Iddon had reclaimed the lead.
On the final lap, Buchan still had the edge, but it was all change as a determined Iddon returned to the front and was able to hold the position.
He was under fire from Mackenzie, who had broken through into second with a move on Buchan, to give him the edge in the battle to become the Monster Energy King of Brands.
O’Halloran hadn’t given up hope on a return to the podium either and the Australian was also able to pull a pass on Buchan to move into third on the final lap.
Buchan crossed the line in fourth place ahead of Brookes, who claimed his best result of the season in fifth place.
Glenn Irwin held sixth place, fending off Peter Hickman and Lee Jackson, with Rory Skinner and Danny Kent completed the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 Result
1. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati)
2. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.075s
3. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +0.761s
4. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad) +1.268s
5. Eazi-Grip supported Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.647s
6. Eazi-Grip supported Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +3.014s
7. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +3.169s
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +3.220s
9. Eazi-Grip supported Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +6.471s
10. Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +6.538s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch:
1. Eazi-Grip supported Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 163
2. Eazi-Grip supported Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 157
3. Eazi-Grip supported Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 137
4. Eazi-Grip supported Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad) 130
5. Eazi-Grip supported Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 100
6. Eazi-Grip supported Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 86
7. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 73
8. Eazi-Grip supported Lee Jackson (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 73
The thoughts of some of our Eazi-Grip supported riders
Danny Buchan – Synetiq BMW
“Mega weekend in terms of results but a bit of a bittersweet round as we took three P4s which was great for me and the team fighting at the sharp end at probably one of my weakest circuits. That shows the strength in the SYNETIQ BMW M 1000 RR package. We were so close to those podiums and showed the bike at the front. It’s on to Thruxton now next week.”
Andrew Irwin – Synetiq BMW
“The results might not make it seem like we had a great weekend but we have taken a step forward. Today I was eighth and made a mistake in the first race and came back to 14th; then in the second race before the red flag I think I’d just set the fastest time. In the restart I was right in there. I was competitive and had a good feel, the best so far this year and I was able to get my elbows out and really take the fight to them. So let’s take those positives to Thruxton next weekend.”
Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing
“It was a positive weekend in terms of points, especially today where we narrowed the Showdown gap a bit and moved up a position in the championship. I’m satisfied and today I think we overachieved, right now we don’t have the package underneath us to fight in the top-eight in normal conditions over a race distance. The boys deserved the points we got, we are having some problems with chatter and my feeling is if we can get to the bottom of this we’ll be back in the hunt and at the front again. But whilst we have it we’re restricted with our progress. I’m feeling so much better physically, which is another positive to take away. ”
Tarran Mackenzie – McAMS Yamaha
“It’s been a great weekend, two podiums and a win, Monster Energy King of Brands and Bennetts Rider of the Round! I was a bit annoyed with third in the second race today as I felt I had the pace for more but I lost some positions in the early stages after some hard passes, but the podium was a good result. I was lucky in the final race with the red flag as the wet front was the wrong choice so I got a get out of jail free card to go back out on slicks. I was really happy with that. It’s great to win Kings of Brands as a Monster-backed team and this weekend means I’ve had five races with five podiums in a row, so I couldn’t have asked for a better start. We’re now third in the championship and have closed the gap, so we’ll have a few days off and then get ready for Thruxton.”
Jason O’Halloran – McAMS Yamaha
“It’s been an amazing weekend for us. I made a mistake yesterday in qualifying and had to start from the sixth row, which was always going to be hard. I got all the way back up to fifth so I knew from that we had a strong chance today. I didn’t quite realise how strong we’d be in the first race today, I controlled that race from start to finish and felt really comfortable out front. I was really happy to win that and take podium credits. The final race was really tricky with the conditions, I feel as a whole we as a team made the correct decisions with the correct tyres, the correct settings etc so we are working really well. That race got stopped and we went back out with a full dry bike and it was a frantic seven laps. I fought my way through, made some hard passes near the end as I needed that podium point. I think we are showing how strong we are in this championship now; we get done what we need to on a weekend – we can turn it around if we are off the pace, we can turn it around if we crash, I’ve won another race, got another podium so roll on Thruxton!”
© 2024 Eazi-Grip All Rights Reserved
Website Designed & Built by Stone Create
