A delighted Rhys Irwin crossed the line to take victory at the end of a hectic 20-lap sprint in changeable weather conditions this afternoon.
The first Supersport race of the weekend was dramatic from the start, as rain hit just before the race began, leaving riders facing a tyre lottery as the race was declared 'wet'.
Reigning champ Jack Kennedy was fastest off the line from pole, as Oliver Barr slotted into second position. Behind, Irwin made a good start from the second row and as a handful of riders ran over the grass on the opening lap, the front runners settled into some kind of order.
Ben Currie went backwards after making the wrong tyre choice and the race became a fight between Kennedy and Barr, Barr taking the lead on Lap Six for the first time, only for Kennedy to steal it back.
Barr was back ahead on Lap Nine but Irwin was close by, hitting the front with a move on Lap 16. But Barr’s hopes of a podium ended a few laps later as he looked to have a mechanical issue and found himself getting a tap from behind from Kennedy.
Barr pulled in as Kennedy was able to continue, holding off a charging TJ Toms in the closing laps to secure second. Luke Stapleford took fourth behind Toms, as Ben Luxton crossed the line fifth.
Keo Walker crossed the line 13th to take the Cup win, as Joe Farragher was second and Lewis Jones third.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Sprint:
1. Rhys Irwin (Performance 15)
2. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK) +1.041s
3. TJ Toms (G&S Racing Kawasaki) +1.641s
4. Luke Stapleford (Macadam Triumph Racing) +14.460s
5. Ben Luxton (CFS Filtration Ducati) +28.260s