Troubled start to BSB Showdown campaign for Brookes

Dream start to BSB Showdown for Dixon

Josh Brookes crashes Race 1 – Recovers to take fifth in Race 2

Ben Currie wins Supersport Race 2

Billy McConnel 7th in STK1000 after off-track excursion

Sharni Pinfold 11-22 in British Motostar

Images by David Yeomans

Jake Dixon has taken the Oulton Park BSB double, clawing back points from Leon Haslam’s lead, which now sits at 31 points with Aussie Josh Brookes a further 40-points in arrears, after a crash in Race 1.

See the Saturday report here:
Dixon takes Oulton pole | McConnell wins STK1000 (link)

Dixon was keen to capitalise and he was faced with a wet race after heavy rain fell at the Cheshire venue, and once in the lead, a succession of quick laps, including the fastest lap of the race, allowed him to pull clear and, despite a slight issue changing gear, his eventual winning margin was 6.1s as he took his second victory of the year.

Starting the second race later in the day from pole position once more, the track was dry all round and Jake got the perfect start to lead at the end of the opening lap. With a series of fastest laps, by half race distance he’d opened up an unprecedented gap of 5.4s and duly took his second win of the day by 1.1s to cut Haslam’s.

Jake Dixon

“The team gave me a great bike this weekend and come wet, dry or in between, I had good pace so I felt confident but nervous too as I knew I had to try and make the most of Leon starting from the back of the grid. Tommy set a good pace in the first race and the rear tyre on the Kawasaki takes a little bit longer to get to full working temperature than the other bikes but once there, I got my head down. I had a bit of an issue changing gear and had to go back to the old school method of using the clutch but I got the job done so full credit to the team. I got my head down from the start in the second race and the bike was fantastic but in the last eight laps, my tyre fell to pieces so I had to manage the closing laps as best I could. I was so fast at the beginning that I was able to open up a good sized lead and that was crucial in holding on for my second win. I’m over the moon to get the double and we’ve cut Leon’s lead back by a reasonable amount so with five races still to go, there’s everything to play for.”

Taking a good start, Josh held fourth place over the opening laps however disaster would strike on lap six when the Australian tumbled from his McAMS Yamaha. Race 2 proved a stronger result with Brookes taking fifth place, just behind teammate Tarran.

Josh Brookes

“It’s been a tough weekend there’s no doubt about that. Our bike is on the edge in slippery conditions and if you push too hard a slip off can happen. Race two saw us start a way back on the grid in 13th, which would normally not be a problem but on a drying track there’s just one line so it was tough to pass people and I also had a problem left over from my race one crash with the rear brake.”

Fellow Aussie Jason O’Halloran started from 10th in Race 1 and made a fantastic start before finally crossing the line 6th overall, just 1.2seconds from fourth. By race two, the conditions had improved and Jason again made a blistering start to launch himself from 6th to second into the first corner, but on lap 12 he ran slightly wide into turn one and folded the front, ending his race from 4th position.

Jason O’Halloran

“Conditions were really mixed this weekend and the weather threw everything at us. I made good starts in both races and it was good to be running at the front. On the first lap of race one, normally I’m one of the more cautious riders but this time I just felt it and attacked and was really able to make up ground. It was disappointing to drop back at the end but I started losing entry grip so just couldn’t hold on to third. In race two I actually started with some worry because I seemed to be the only one starting on a wet patch. I knew turn one was wet but I actually got one of the best starts I’ve had all year. I was really pushing and held second for a long time – the pace was fast and I was able to hold on. I wanted so badly to get back on the podium for me and the team after everything, but unfortunately turn one caught me out. I ran a little wide but I really didn’t expect it – I hit a damp patch and just lost the front. I didn’t want the weekend to end like this, but I’m taking the positives from it into Assen, which is a track I really like and I think can be good for us to bring some good results to the end of this season.”

Race 1

The Superbike race action began with drama on the grid in the opening race for Be Wiser Ducati contender Glenn Irwin as a problem on the grid meant a delayed start and he was forced to start from the back of the grid. He was in good company though as standings leader Haslam was also on the back row after his problem in qualifying yesterday.

As the race got underway Tommy Bridewell launched himself into the lead on the Moto Rapido Ducati ahead of Dixon and Bradley Ray in the wet conditions, but by the end of the opening lap Jason O’Halloran had pushed his way into third ahead of Buildbase Suzuki’s Showdown contender.

At the front Bridewell was holding the advantage despite the pressure from Dixon, but on lap eight he made a move on the inside into Old Hall to take the lead. Bridewell had attempted a strike back but Dixon was determined and he held him off to the finish as Moto Rapido Ducati and Bridewell celebrated their first podium finish of the season – the 14th different rider to feature in the top three this year.

Haslam though had been carving through the pack and by the end of the opening lap he was already up to 13th and two laps later he was fighting his way into the top ten.

Josh Brookes’ Showdown started with a disaster as he crashed out unhurt at Knickerbrook on the sixth lap with Luke Mossey also sliding out of contention five laps later at Shell on the second JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Ray was then another Showdown rider to drop down the order when he had a moment at Lodge on the eighth lap and he was forced to run on and rejoin in tenth place on the Buildbase Suzuki.

At the front Dixon and Bridewell had the advantage but O’Halloran was soon under fire for the final podium place as Haslam and Andrew Irwin were in close contention.

With two laps remaining Haslam made his move on his Honda Racing rival to move into a podium position, but O’Halloran was pushed further back on the final lap when both Andrew Irwin and Michael Laverty moved ahead.

Tarran Mackenzie claimed seventh place for McAMS Yamaha ahead of Peter Hickman, James Ellison and Dan Linfoot with Showdown contenders Ray and Glenn Irwin in eleventh and twelfth.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 1 result

1. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)
2. Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +6.142s
3. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +16.677s
4. Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +18.564s
5. Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +19.513s
6. Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +19.727s
7. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +33.594s
8. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +38.799s
9. James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +40.629s
10. Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +45.312s

Race 2

After a victory in race one Dixon grabbed the lead on the opening lap to lead O’Halloran, Laverty and Haslam at the start, but Bridewell was on the attack again and by the end of lap one he had moved into fourth with a move at Shell.

Laverty was showing promise on the Tyco BMW until he crashed out at Cascades on the fifth lap, ending his hunt for another top five finish.

At the front Dixon was edging ahead but Haslam was in close contention and he moved into second with a dive down the inside of O’Halloran at Lodge on the seventh lap as his RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rival then became his target.

Honda Racing’s O’Halloran was then under attack from Bridewell and the Moto Rapido Ducati rider made a decisive pass at Shell, meanwhile Mackenzie was also making moves and leapt into fifth ahead of Mossey.

Ray was fighting for a top ten position on the Buildbase Suzuki but a crash at Old Hall on lap 12 ended his hopes of closing down in the points and he will head to Assen fifth in the standings. A lap later and O’Halloran slipped off in similar style to end his run for Honda Racing prematurely.

Dixon’s lead at the front was being closed down but Haslam couldn’t quite get within striking distance despite a sensational attempt to reel his rival back in over the closing stages of the race.

Bridewell and Moto Rapido Ducati celebrated a double podium finish ahead of Mackenzie and team-mate Brookes who recovered from his race one crash to claim fifth place ahead of Glenn Irwin and Mossey.

Tarran Mackenzie – 7-4

“It’s been a good weekend and although seventh in race one was ok, I was hoping for more so it was good to get a much better result in race two. I wasn’t really expecting to be fighting it out for the podium though so I’m really happy with fourth and full credit to the team. I’ve moved up to eighth overall in the Championship and am in contention now for the Rider’s Cup so, having improved a lot in the last few rounds, I’m really looking forward to both Assen and Brands where I’m confident of some good results.”

Hickman, Andrew Irwin and Ellison completed the top ten, with Brookes now holding equal third on points with Glenn Irwin and six points separating them from Ray and Hickman just four points adrift.

Andrew Irwin – 4-9

“Race one was really good and although I had a few moments, they came when I was a Andrew Irwinlittle bit eager and trying to make up the ground a little bit too soon. Had it not been for that it could well have been a podium although I was still more than happy with fourth at this stage of my BSB career. Unfortunately, I made a bad start in race two and rode tense for the first dozen laps but after that things started to flow again and ninth ensured I’d finished both races inside the top ten which is always my aim.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result

1. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)
2. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.129s
3. Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +3.586s
4. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +6.301s
5. Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +6.404s
6. Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +6.441s
7. Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +8.142s
8. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +20.846s
9. Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +22.052s
10. James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +22.1556s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings

1. Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 604
2. Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 573
3. Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 530
4. Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 530
5. Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 524
6. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 520

Dickies Supersport Race 2

Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Currie has picked up his seventh Dickies British Supersport victory of the season, in a hard-fought battle which saw Jack Kennedy finish second and Alastair Seeley third.

It was Currie who grabbed the holeshot from Seeley and Kennedy, and he quickly began to open up a gap on the chasing pack. However, on the fourth lap the safety car was deployed, bunching the group back together.

Two laps later the race resumed, and Currie was caught on his heels and was passed at turn one by Seeley and his nearest rival Kennedy, pushing him back to third. But he quickly regrouped and made his way back to the front, and quickly he began to pull a gap.

Kennedy responded and soon found himself on the back of Currie, but with two laps to go the Championship leader made a slight mistake, which allowed the Gearlink Kawasaki rider to pull away and pick up the all-important 25 points.

Dickies British Supersport, feature race, Oulton Park

1. Ben Currie (Gearlink Kawasaki)
2. Jack Kennedy (Integro Yamaha)
3. Alastair Seeley (EHA Racing Yamaha)
4. James Westmoreland (Gearlink Kawasaki)
5. Josh Owens (RS Racing Kalex)
6. Bradley Jones (Integro Yamaha)

Dickies British Supersport, Championship points

1. Jack Kennedy (Integro Yamaha) 406
2. Ben Currie (Gearlink Kawasaki) 376
3. James Rispoli (Everquip Racing) 214
4. James Westmoreland (Gearlink Kawasaki) 204
5. David Allingham (EHA Racing) 167
6. Bradley Jones (Integro Yamaha) 167

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Race 2

Tyco BMW’s Keith Farmer picked up his fourth victory of the season, and the Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Championship lead, after getting the better of Alex Olsen on the penultimate lap at Oulton Park.

It was Farmer who grabbed the holeshot, but by lap four he had dropped back to third place, as Alex Olsen and Billy McConnell battled for the lead.

With four laps to go Olsen grabbed the lead from a struggling McConnell, who had tyre wear issues, and Farmer began to chase the leader down. On the second to last lap the Clougher man pasted Olsen and began to pull a gap.

The Tyco BMW man crossed the line to take his fourth win of the series, and the Championship lead. Alex Olsen finished second with Taylor MacKenzie third.

Billy McConnell missed his braking point and a gear, and had an off-track excursion, before recovering to take seventh, losing his championship lead in the process, which could prove costly in the championship race.

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Race 2 Result

1. Keith FARMER BMW – Tyco BMW Motorrad 25:09.513
2. Alex OLSEN BMW – ASTRO – JJR Racing +1.672
3. Taylor MACKENZIE BMW – Bathams Racing +4.274
4. Joe COLLIER Aprilia – EHA / In Competition Racing +4.524
5. Dean HIPWELL BMW – CDH Racing +5.736
6. Sam COVENTRY BMW – Lloyd & Jones Bowker Motorrad +6.970
7. Billy MCCONNELL Suzuki – Buildbase Suzuki +18.127
8. Tim NEAVE Suzuki – NRC / Dales Racing +25.106
9. Matt TRUELOVE Yamaha – McAMS Yamaha +31.429
10. Tom WARD Suzuki – Movuno Halsall Racing +38.276

Pirelli National Superstock 1000 Standings

1. Keith FARMER 258.5
2. Billy McCONNELL 248
3. Joe COLLIER 229.5
4. Alex OLSEN 186
5. Josh ELLIOTT 178.5
6. Lee JACKSON 148
7. Andy REID 79
8. Alastair SEELEY 69
9. Chrissy ROUSE 68
10. Taylor MACKENZIE 60.5

Hel Performance British Motostar Race 1

Jack Scott took victory in the opening Hel Performance British Motostar race victory at Oulton Park, as Victor Rodriguez secures 2018 Standard Class Championship.

With rain falling at the start, the race was initially red flagged on the opening lap before restarting as a wet race. Grabbing the holeshot, Scott was able to control the race from the front to take his fourth win of the season ahead of an impressive ride from Brad Jones.

After a close battle over the final laps between Brandon Paasch, Jake Archer and Storm Stacey, it was Stacey who claimed the final rostrum position. Securing fourth in the Standard class, 15th ovarall, Rodriguez did enough to secure the 2018 Hel Performance British Motostar Standard class title.

HEL Performance British Motostar Race 1 Result

1. Jack SCOTT KTM – City Lifting / RS Racing
2. Dan JONES KTM – SymCirrus Motorsport +0.340
3. Storm STACEY KTM – FPW Racing +15.617
4. Brandon PAASCH Mahindra – Microlise Cresswell Racing +15.909
5. Jake ARCHER KTM – City Lifting / RS Racing +16.057
6. Jack NIXON KTM – Santander Salt +16.088
7. Chris TAYLOR Mahindra – Microlise Cresswell Racing +17.755
8. Asher DURHAM Mahindra – Microlise Cresswell Racing +23.988
9. Scott SWANN Honda NSF – Swann Racing +45.168
10. Scott OGDEN Honda NSF – Wilson Racing +45.195
11. Sharni PINFOLD KTM – RS Racing +51.457

Hel Performance British Motostar Race 2

Jack Scott doubled up on Hel Performance British Motostar Championship wins at Oulton Park as his team mate Jake Archer secured the 2018 Championship title.

Storm Stacey grabbed the holeshot and led for the opening half of the race however Scott took his turn at the front on on lap six. Holding off the pursuing pack, the youngster was able to clinch his fifth win of the season whilst Jack Nixon pushed Stacey back to third on the final lap.

Taking fourth place was Archer, which was enough to secure him the 2018 title.

HEL Performance British Motostar Race 2 Result

1. Jack SCOTT KTM – City Lifting / RS Racing 17:53.805
2. Jack NIXON KTM – Santander Salt +0.282
3. Storm STACEY KTM – FPW Racing +0.408
4. Jake ARCHER KTM – City Lifting / RS Racing +0.614
5. Chris TAYLOR Mahindra – Microlise Cresswell Racing +1.151
6. Eugene MCMANUS KTM – RS Racing +6.381
7. Edward RENDELL KTM FTR – Banks Racing +12.474
8. Elliot LODGE FTR – Spike Racing / SP125 +15.561
9. Scott SWANN Honda NSF – Swann Racing +39.225
10. Scott OGDEN Honda NSF – Wilson Racing +39.667
    …22. Sharni PINFOLD KTM – RS Racing +1:31.390

HEL Performance British Motostar Standings

1. Jake ARCHER 330
2. Storm STACEY 278
3. Jack SCOTT 267
4. Asher DURHAM 214
5. Brandon PAASCH 151
6. Edward RENDELL 127
7. Eugene McMANUS 112
8. Jack NIXON 111
9. Elliot LODGE 93
10. Chris TAYLOR 85
11. Edmund BEST 81
12. Sam BURMAN 66
13. Sharni PINFOLD 64