Luke Stapleford stormed to the opening Supersport Sprint race win of the year as the season kicked-off at Circuito de Navarra – as reigning champ Ben Currie was left counting the cost of on track altercation.
Macadam Triumph Racing’s Stapleford hit the front on lap one, passing Gearlink Kawasaki’s Brad Perie who had led into turn one before running wide, and from there wasn’t troubled as he controlled the 12-lap race to take victory.
But behind, it was far more dramatic as the rest of the pack battled for the remaining podium spots.
By Lap Six, Eugene McManus was chasing Perie for second but came under pressure from a charging Currie. The Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider got ahead but McManus tried to come back underneath and as Currie turned in, they collided, McManus crashing as Currie continued.
Up front, Stapleford was holding his ground as wildcard Davey Todd and former multiple champ Jack Kennedy found their way past Perie and Currie was handed a long lap penalty for his clash with McManus.
Failing to take it, he was then hit with a 28 second drop at the line and as a result finished 11th, as Todd and Kennedy secured second and third respectively. Perie eventually took fourth place, just ahead of Astro-JJR Suzuki’s Rhys Irwin.
In the GP2 class, the only finishers were Kramer Racing team-mates Jack Nixon and Owen Jenner, Nixon crossing the line 12th overall to seal the first class win of the year as Jenner was second.
Quattro Group British Supersport and GP2 Championship, Sprint result:
1. Luke Stapleford (Macadam Triumph Racing)
2. Davey Todd (Powertoolmate Ducati) +1.538s
3. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +1.955s
4. Brad Perie (Gearlink Kawasaki) +2.291s
5. Rhys Irwin (Astro-JJR Suzuki) +16.234s