Scott Redding continued his winning momentum in the opening Bennetts British Superbike Championship race of the weekend at the crucial Brands Hatch title decider as Bradley Ray held off Kyle Ryde to take three points out of the advantage ahead of tomorrow’s Clash of the Champions title decider.
At the start of the race, Ryde had forced his way into the lead ahead of Ray as the pair continued their duel for a second title. Christian Iddon was holding third ahead of Tommy Bridewell, but at the front, the Raceways Yamaha rider launched into the lead at Paddock Hill Bend by lap three.
Ryde was trying to regain the advantage, but it was only ten laps later, that he was able to make it stick with a pass at Hawthorns. As the title contenders fought for the advantage going into tomorrow’s decisive two races, Redding had been charging through the pack after running sixth on the opening laps.
Redding first made a move on Ray with four laps to go and Hawthorns and then had Ryde in his sights, taking the lead at Surtees a lap later and he was able to hold the edge to the finish. Ray took second place from Ryde with 27-points between the pair now ahead of tomorrow’s final two races, with 70 points available.
Rory Skinner was fourth for the Cheshire Mouldings Ducati team as he was initially in the leading group, with Danny Kent completing the top five for McAMS Racing Yamaha. Max Cook was able to get the better of Leon Haslam, who is now out of the title fight with Charlie Nesbitt, Lee Jackson and Glenn Irwin completing the top ten.
Tommy Bridewell and Christian Iddon had been in the mix earlier in the race, but crashed out at Surtees and Druids respectively unhurt.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 1 result:
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati)
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) +0.151s
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +1.284s
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) +3.235s
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +4.068s
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) +7.254s
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) +7.608s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +11.584s
- Lee Jackson (DAO Racing Honda) +11.622s
- Glenn Irwin (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) +22.040s
For the full session result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Standings
- Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) 472
- Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha) 445
- Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) 362
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings Ducati) 292
- Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) 272.5
- Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 272
- Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 272
- Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 239
- Max Cook (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) 232
- Storm Stacey (Bathams AJN Racing BMW) 214