Bradley Ray leads the Bennetts British Superbike Championship into his home round of Brands Hatch next weekend (22/23/24 July) and the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider is determined to maintain the upper hand on his rivals in the title fight.
Ray heads into Brands Hatch with 16-point advantage over Jason O'Halloran, but more importantly just four podium points separate the pair, as the Showdown gets closer and the next three races on the Grand Prix circuit beckon.
Ray has had his strongest start to a season yet only failing to score points in one race and finishing consistently on the podium.
“To be honest this season has kind of surprised me a little bit,” said Ray. “We are still leading the championship four rounds in and have been so consistent; we have only been off the podium twice all year and one of those was a crash out of the lead and the other one was a fourth at Knockhill.
“It was quite strange going into this season, I obviously knew the package was capable of winning races and being on the podium but in racing you can always have a bad or difficult weekend. Yet we seem to be able to turn things around if we are having a bad weekend and make a good result so overall I am feeling really good.”
At the halfway point of the Main Season, Ray has his sights firmly set on cementing his place in the Showdown at the earliest opportunity.
“Consistency is obviously key this year and podium points are what we are aiming for at the moment,” added Ray. “As everyone knows the Showdown in another four rounds’ time so we need to keep racking up as many podium points as possible because at the end of the day when we get to the Showdown, that is what is going to make the difference.
“It obviously feels nice to be leading the championship but I am not thinking about that too much right now, the most important thing is to secure our place in the Showdown and have as many podium points as possible going into the final three rounds.”
Ray now has his sights firmly set on carrying his podium-finishing performances into Brands Hatch, knowing that in the past the Kent circuit has been a strong circuit for the Yamaha.
“My aim is to be fighting for wins and podiums every weekend and no doubt you can have a bad weekend, but that is the target – be consistent and grab as many podium points as possible,” said Ray.
“I am really looking forward to head to Brands Hatch for my home race, going into this round after such a strong start to the season bodes well and the Yamaha seems to work very well around the Grand Prix circuit.
“Knockhill I would say, and a lot of people say too, a bogey track for the Yamaha and Yamaha won all three races there, so I am looking forward to opening the Yamaha up around Brands Hatch!
“I think it will be a wicked weekend and at the end of Brands Hatch weekend, I would be happy if I had been fighting for wins and podiums again in all three races and I think we are capable of that. It would be nice to be on the top step at my home round in front of my fans and family who come there to support me. I am fit and ready and I can’t wait to try and carry on this season as we are – keep smiling, keep riding and feeling happy!”