Tarran Mackenzie dealt the first blow to his Bennetts British Superbike Championship rivals in the opening race of the triple-header decider at Brands Hatch this afternoon, holding off Tommy Bridewell despite coming under immense pressure over the final laps.
At the start of the race, McAMS Yamaha’s Mackenzie led the pack into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time, but Christian Iddon instantly fought back to make a pass into Druids to hit the front of the field.
Iddon was then trying to shake the chasing pack of Mackenzie, Andrew Irwin and Rory Skinner with Bridewell completing the top five.
However, the BMW Safety Car was deployed when Josh Owens crashed out at Hawthorns, he was able to walk away from the crash, and the race resumed on the eighth lap.
Iddon again tried to make a break at the front, but the VisionTrack Ducati rider was under fire from Mackenzie and Bridewell, who had moved into third place before the Safety Car period.
Mackenzie went for a move at Paddock Hill Bend on lap nine to grab the lead, but Iddon again fought back at Druids. As Iddon went for a move at Druids, Bridewell tagged his back wheel, losing ground and having to make a concerted comeback.
Bridewell was up to second with a move at Paddock Hill Bend on lap 12, getting the better drive up to Druids and then he had Mackenzie in his sights.
Bridewell was piling on the pressure, trying to capitalise on any small margin of error from the championship leader, but Mackenzie maintained his edge to claim his eighth win of the season and take a 22-point lead into tomorrow’s two races.
Jason O'Halloran finished fourth, holding second in the standings into tomorrow’s final decider but now with just two points separating him and Iddon in third, whilst Bridewell now is just a further two points adrift of his Ducati rival.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, BikeSocial Race 1 result:
1. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha)
2. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +0.160s
3. Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +2.636s
4. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +6.675s
5. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +6.965s
6. Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +8.976s
7. Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +8.994s
8. Lee Jackson (FS-3 Kawasaki) +9.084s
9. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +9.382s
10. Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +12.446s
For the full result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch Race 1:
1. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1152
2. Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1130
3. Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 1128
4. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1126
5. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) 1070
6. Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) 1066
7. Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 1056
8. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 1048
For the full standings please click here