Defending champion Jack Kennedy bagged full points as he took a comfortable win in today’s feature race – as drama between the two title favourites blew the championship wide open.
Moto Rapido Ducati’s Ben Currie – who came into today’s race sitting second and 18-points behind Rhys Irwin – had taken the lead early on in the 12-lap race, with Irwin’s Gearlink Bike Performance 15 Suzuki slotting into second position.
But it all went dramatically wrong for the two leaders at the end of Lap Five, as Irwin made an uncharacteristic mistake at Lodge corner, coming in too hot and hitting the back of Currie’s machine.
Irwin flew off into the gravel, his race over as Currie ran off but was able to continue, rejoining in 11th position as Kennedy, who’d been running a comfortable third, inherited the lead.
The Honda Racing UK rider was able to build himself a solid lead at the front as Eugene McManus came through into second position with Lee Johnston behind him in third.
Stapleford, now seeing a slight chance for title glory opening up ahead, made a move on Johnston to go third with three laps to go, but on the final lap, Johnston stole it back at Turn One, leaving Stapleford to settle for fourth.
Matt Truelove rounded out the top five as Currie managed to salvage some points with a solid sixth place finish.
Keo Walker took the win in the Cup class, followed closely home by Ben Tolliday as Stephen Thomas finished third.
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Feature Race result:
1. Jack Kennedy (Honda Racing UK)
2. Eugene McManus (MMB Racing Ducati) +2.735s
3. Lee Johnston (SENCAT by Swan Racing Triumph) +4.127s
4. Luke Stapleford (Macadam Triumph Racing) +4.411s
5. Harry Truelove (MMB Racing Ducati) +5.706s
Championship positions after Round 10:
1. Rhys Irwin 353
2. Ben Currie 349
3. Jack Kennedy 330
4. Luke Stapleford 308
5. Joe Talbot 280