BSB Brands Hatch: Glenn Irwin fourth in Sprint race as Tommy Bridewell extends title advantage

Kyle White
By Kyle White
Published 14th Oct 2023, 17:20 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
Glenn Irwin powered through from 17th place on the grid to finish fourth in the British Superbike Sprint race at Brands Hatch on Saturday as team-mate Tommy Bridewell increased his championship lead at the Showdown finale.

Ulsterman Irwin made rapid ground through the field from the sixth row of the grid after struggling in a wet qualifying session, when he encountered an issue with the front-end of his BeerMonster Ducati.

Bridewell, who lined up on the third row in seventh, dug in to hold off Irwin as they battled for third place in the final half of the 12-lap race.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On a drying track, Irwin attempted a pass on the penultimate lap but ran wide off the dry line, allowing Bridewell through again.

Glenn Irwin finished fourth in the British Superbike Sprint race at Brands Hatch on Saturday. Picture: David Yeomans PhotographyGlenn Irwin finished fourth in the British Superbike Sprint race at Brands Hatch on Saturday. Picture: David Yeomans Photography
Glenn Irwin finished fourth in the British Superbike Sprint race at Brands Hatch on Saturday. Picture: David Yeomans Photography

The English rider gained a few tenths as a result and was able to hold on for third on the last lap ahead of Irwin to extend his title gap to 10.5 points going into Sunday’s final two 20-lap races at the Kent circuit.

OMG Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde got the better of pole man Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) in a photo finish on the dash to the line to clinch victory.

Ryde is third in the standings, 27 points behind Bridewell, and remains in the frame with a maximum of 70 points available on the final day of the season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Leon Haslam’s hopes are all but over after he crashed out on the ROKiT BMW on lap nine.

Dublin’s Jack Kennedy was eighth on the Mar-Train Racing Yamaha with Andrew Irwin 16th (Honda Racing UK).

In the National Superstock 1000 race, Alastair Seeley finished second behind Billy McConnell while Donegal’s Richard Kerr pipped Dan Linfoot at the final corner for sixth, forcing Linfoot to wait until Sunday for his chance to put the title to bed.

Scott Swann earned his best result of the season in fifth.

Dromara’s Sam Laffins won the National Junior Superstock race from Dungannon’s Cameron Dawson.