Barry Burrell rode the perfect race to end the perfect weekend with a win – as his two main title rivals crashed out in separate incidents.
Despite pulling the unlucky sixth on the grid ball in yesterday’s draw, Burrell wasted no time in making amends as the 12-lap race began, making up three places in the opening lap before hitting the front on Lap Two after passing Smith twins Christian and Kieran.
Now ahead, Burrell immediately began to clear off and leave the pack behind, with the Smith twins having to fight off Dale Thomas in the battle for the final podium spot – although this only lasted until Lap Five when Thomas lost the front at crashed at Campbell.
As Lap Six began, Burrell had two seconds on C Smith, who had arrived at Thruxton leading the championship, while Nikki Coates, third in the points standings, was chasing down K Smith for third.
Josh Corner came into play as he passed all three to move into second and it became a battle of four, with positions swapping each lap as Burrell extended his lead.
But disaster struck for C Smith on Lap 10 as he crashed at Campbell, blowing the championship wide open and leaving his twin, Coates and Corner to fight for the final two podium spots.
And it all came down to a last lap showdown. Corner made his move and scythed through from fourth to second in one move and as they headed to the final chicane, Coates crashed out.
Burrell was already home and dry and Corner took second with K Smith third, Bobby Varey fourth and Jack Tynan fifth.
ROKiT OFF BMW F 900 R Cup: Main Race result:
1. Barry Burrell (Halliwell Jones)
2. Josh Corner (Chasin the Racin Podcast) +4.193s
3. Kieran Smith (GP Titan Tech by Bathams ) +4.675
4. Bobby Varey (Bobby Varey Racing) +16.398s
5. Jack Tynan (ROKiT Rookies) +17.643s
Championship positions after Round Six:
1. Barry Burrell 175
2. Christian Smith 152
3. Kieran Smith 152
4. Nikki Coates 145
5. Josh Corner 141