Bradley Ray continued his run of consistency on Saturday at Brands Hatch, needing only 9 points to crown him the 2022 British Superbike Champion. Title rivals Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell knew nothing but race wins would be enough to see their championship fight continue into Sunday’s Race 2 and 3.
Glenn Irwin was up for the job on the day, with a dominant victory in Race 1. Followed closely throughout the race by FHO Racing BMW’s Peter Hickman and Synetiq BMW’s Andrew Irwin, neither BMW were able to put any manners on the Honda Racing U.K. Fireblade as Irwin managed the gap and pace, living up to his ambition of having one last race victory, in 2022 with the Honda.
Tommy Bridewell followed along in a hard-fought 4th place but, unfortunately Irwin and Bridewell were also relying on some bad luck on the part of Brad Ray to aid in their title challenge.
The Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider came home in a steady 5th position meaning Ray had done everything he needed to do to be crowned the new champion. Saturday’s task for Brad Ray had been achieved. The emotion could be seen flowing through pit lane as Ray’s family, friends and team filed out to heap praise on the young rider.
Unfortunately for Ray, it seemed the curse of the number 1 plate kicked in after a lap 2 crash in Sunday’s Race 2 saw his Yamaha arriving through the gravel on Paddock Hill bend due to a cold tyre crash. Thankfully with Saturday being the important day, all pressure was off. Ray went on to take a 6th place finish for Race 3. In a statement to the media after racing, Ray said: “Pre-season was good and I knew that this would be my best chance to fight for the championship with Yamaha, with Rich Energy OMG. We just got our head down the whole season, took everything in our stride, maximised everything race by race and that allowed us to come to Brands Hatch and have a difficult round like we have.”
“Obviously it would have been nicer to be fighting for victory and fighting for podiums [this weekend] but we’ve done enough work throughout the season to prove that we’re worthy champions. Just a big shout out to the team, family, friends and everyone who came out to Brands to support me this weekend.”
A good result coming at the perfect time also for Danny Kent, Charlie Nesbitt, Josh Owens and Jack Kennedy for their own reasons. Danny Kent, as its contract time and he would like to maximise his potential ride for the 2023 season, likewise for Josh Owens. Jack Kennedy has shown good form to get his first points on the board before competing full time next year aboard the Mar-Train Yamaha R1 after he and his team decided to step up a class for next year. Charlie Nesbitt for again showing he could be about to hit the ground running after rumors circulated the Buildbase team have already signed him for the 2023 season.
Race 1 Results
| 1 | Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK |
| 2 | Peter Hickman – FHO Racing BMW |
| 3 | Andrew Irwin – Synetic BMW Motorrad |
| 4 | Tommy Bridewell – Oxford Products Ducati |
| 5 | Bradley Ray – Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha |
| 6 | Jason O’Halloran – McAMS Yamaha |
| 7 | Danny Buchan – Synetic BMW Motorrad |
| 8 | Danny Kent – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 9 | Kyle Ryde – Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha |
| 10 | Tom Sykes – MCE Ducati |
| 11 | Charlie Nesbitt – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 12 | Josh Owens – Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki |
| 13 | Takumi Takahashi – Honda Racing UK |
| 14 | Jack Kennedy – Mar-Train Racing Yamaha |
| 15 | Davey Todd – Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda |
Race 2
Again a fight between BMW and Honda. The M1000RR v the CBR1000RR in the form of Peter Hickman and Danny Buchan vs Glenn Irwin. In another classic Brands Hatch style race, Buchan and Irwin followed Hickman around the circuit but just didn’t have the edge to make a move and snatch victory away from him. Peter Hickman became the 10th different winner this season.
Brad Ray wasn’t the only Yamaha to suffer in race 2 as an incident between Andy Irwin and Jason O’Halloran saw once again the Yamaha rider being taken out of the race in the closing stages. Andy Irwin went for an overtake under braking into the Surtees corner, making contact with O’Halloran’s handlebar sending the McAMS rider spilling onto the sidelines. O’Halloran struggled to be positive in his interview with Eurosport after the race noting 3 incidents in 3 races had basically ruined his season and all the hard work of the McAMS team. Seems the popular Australian cannot catch a break at the moment and no doubt feels like he has been robbed of a chance to compete for the British title this year. It’s no great shakes to say that had Tarran Mackenzie stayed on his bike and injury free and had Jason O’Halloran not been taken out on the same corner, in two races by two different riders, I don’t think this Showdown would have gone Ray’s way as easy. (There’s no doubt in my mind that the McAMS Yamaha team would have pushed the Ray to the last round. This is racing. If this, If that… If my aunty had balls, she’d have been my uncle etc. Such is life. We all move on.)
Andy Irwin was disqualified from Race 2’s results and given a 3-place penalty for Race 3 but this didn’t stop the determined Northern Irishman’s fight for a final podium in 2022.
Race 2 Results
| 1 | Peter Hickman – FHO Racing BMW |
| 2 | Danny Buchan – Synetic BMW Motorrad |
| 3 | Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK |
| 4 | Kyle Ryde – Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha |
| 5 | Tommy Bridewell – Oxford Products Ducati |
| 6 | Danny Kent – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 7 | Christian Iddon – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 8 | Charlie Nesbitt – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 9 | Josh Brookes – MCE Ducati |
| 10 | Tom Sykes – MCE Ducati |
| 11 | Josh Owens – Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki |
| 12 | Dean Harrison – DAO Racing Kawasaki |
| 13 | Takumi Takahashi – Honda Racing UK |
| 14 | Storm Stacey – Team LKW Euro Car Parts Kawasaki |
| 15 | Davey Todd – Milenco by Padgetts Motorcycles Honda |
Race 3
This was a race long battle again between Glenn Irwin, Andy Irwin and Danny Buchan for the podium, followed by Tommy Bridewell, Peter Hickman and Brad Ray. It looked like Buchan was on for another race win for the season until a couple of laps to go, when a moment into Surtees allowed both the Irwin brothers to pass, leaving Buchan clinging on to the rear of the group. Glenn then put the hammer down and lead the final laps to take the final race win of the season.
The rumors surrounding both the Irwin brothers during the Brands weekend would have them both riding for different manufacturers in 2023. A lot of people have Glenn on an MCE Ducati next year with Andy taking over his brothers mount in the Honda Racing fold. No doubt all the silly season details will all come out over the next few weeks as we find out what is happening with newly crowned Champion, Bradley Ray and recently de-throned 2021 Champion, Tarran Mackenzie.
Race 3 Result.
| 1 | Glenn Irwin – Honda Racing UK |
| 2 | Andy Irwin – Synetic BMW Motorrad |
| 3 | Danny Buchan – Synetic BMW Motorrad |
| 4 | Tommy Bridewell – Oxford Products Ducati |
| 5 | Peter Hickman – FHO Racing BMW |
| 6 | Bradley Ray – Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha |
| 7 | Josh Brookes – MCE Ducati |
| 8 | Danny Kent – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 9 | Christian Iddon – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 10 | Kyle Ryde – Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha |
| 11 | Tom Sykes – MCE Ducati |
| 12 | Charlie Nesbitt – Buildbase Suzuki |
| 13 | Ryan Vickers – FHO Racing BMW |
| 14 | Josh Owens – Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki |
| 15 | Takumi Takahashi – Honda Racing UK |