The scintillating fight for this year’s Bennetts British Superbike Championship heads to Donington Park next weekend (29 September-1 October), with just half a point separating the leading contenders!
BeerMonster Ducati duo Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell have been locked in battle all season, with eight wins each so far. Irwin got the early season initiative until Bridewell went on an almost unstoppable run mid-season, as he took five wins from six races across events at Snetterton and Brands Hatch.
But Irwin has fought back at the two most recent rounds at Cadwell Park and Oulton Park, with four wins and two second places, while Bridewell has just the two wins in the same timeframe.
With only six races remaining in this year’s calendar, three of those at Donington, each contest is crucial, especially with bigger points at stake in the new-look Showdown phase.
Should either Irwin or Bridewell take the title, it’ll be the ninth such triumph for the Paul Bird Racing team, which races on despite the sad loss of eponymous team owner Paul Bird just a couple of weeks ago, Irwin and Bridewell honouring his memory in perfect style by winning all three races last time out at Oulton Park.
Whilst the top-two have a 60-point buffer to their nearest rivals, Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) and Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) will be hoping home advantage pays off at their local venue, with both needing big scores to reduce the deficit. Ryde should be one to watch having won at Donington twice earlier in the season, while Haslam has probably completed more laps around the circuit than the majority of the runners combined!
Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki), Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha), Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad), Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) and Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) are all still in mathematical contention too, amongst a busy grid of 25 riders.
Three epic Bennetts BSB contests are the main focal point as the series moves closer to crowning this year’s champion, with the Bike Social contest on Saturday afternoon followed by two full-length epics on Sunday. Meanwhile a packed out support race package including Quattro Group British Supersport/GP2, Pirelli National and Junior Superstock and more means there’s action aplenty from Friday to Sunday.
Fans can get up close to the riders with an open paddock, and grab autographs during the eBay Pit Walk at lunchtime on Sunday.
Tickets are available at advance rates until 4pm on Wednesday 27 September, with main Sunday race day admission priced at £34 for adults, £20 for teenagers aged 13-15 and free entry for children under-13. Tickets are also available upon arrival at the venue, at gate prices. For more information and to book, click here.