Luke Stapleford took victory in this afternoon’s Supersport Sprint race after a dramatic last lap scrap with Oli Bayliss.
And Stapleford’s point lead had a boost after the 10-lap race, as title rivals Jack Kennedy and Ben Currie both crashed out in separate incidents.
Stapleford, who has been the class of the field all weekend, got a clean start from pole position and led for the first two laps, with Knockhill winner Bayliss snapping at his heels.
Bayliss hit the front on Lap Three as the pack began to settle, Currie running in third position while Kennedy had some work to do after dropping back to about sixth in the opening melee.
Kennedy quickly got his act together and began picking his way through the pack, passing Currie to move into third position on the fourth lap. Up front, Bayliss had initially pulled a half second lead but Stapleford soon closed back in and was sitting on his rear wheel from the fifth lap.
Kennedy, now clear of Currie, was catching the leaders, closing in a bit more each lap. But his charge came to an early end on Lap Seven when he crashed out at Turn Two. It meant Currie moved back up to third and the top three stayed the same for next few laps.
But on the final lap, it all changed. Stapleford was now breathing down Bayliss’ neck and it was clear he was going to have a go. Then, from nowhere, Currie – running in a comfortable third place – crashed out, promoting his team-mate Harry Truelove to third.
With three corners to go, Stapleford made the move and hit the front. Bayliss wasn’t keen to let it go and tried to come back but just wasn’t able to make it before the finish line.
Stapleford won by 0.024secs, with Bayliss second and Truelove third. Dean Harrison took fourth, just ahead of Lee Johnston in fifth.
Adam Hartgrove took the Cup class win, finishing p17 overall, with Cam Swain crossing the line second and Jamie Richmond third,
Quattro Group British Supersport Championship, Sprint result:
1. Luke Stapleford (Scars-Racing Ducati)
2. Oli Bayliss (Triumph Macadam Factory Racing) +0.024s
3. Harry Truelove (McAMS Yamaha) +9.576s
4. Dean Harrison (Honda Racing UK) +11.192s
5. Lee Johnston (SENCAT by Swan Racing) +12.040s