Glenn Irwin aiming to consolidate second place as Brands Hatch hosts British Superbike Showdown finale

Kyle White
By Kyle White
Published 13th Oct 2022, 11:15 BST
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Glenn Irwin says his top objective is to wrap up second place in the British Superbike Championship as Brands Hatch hosts the Showdown finale this weekend.

The Honda Racing rider moved up to second position in the standings after brace of podium finishes at the penultimate round at Donington Park, where he twice finished third on the CBR1000RR-R Fireblade.

Irwin still retains a mathematical chance of winning a maiden BSB crown, although the Ulster rider would need a radical set of circumstances to unfold to emerge as the champion on Sunday.

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Rich Energy OMG’s Bradley Ray is the red-hot favourite to secure the title at the Kent circuit and goes into Saturday’s first race with a commanding 66-point advantage.

Northern Ireland's Glenn Irwin has set his sights on securing second place in the British Superbike Championship at the Showdown finale this weekend at Brands Hatch.Northern Ireland's Glenn Irwin has set his sights on securing second place in the British Superbike Championship at the Showdown finale this weekend at Brands Hatch.
Northern Ireland's Glenn Irwin has set his sights on securing second place in the British Superbike Championship at the Showdown finale this weekend at Brands Hatch.

By contrast, Irwin holds second place by a single point from Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Ducati), with FS-3 Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson only nine points further back in third.

“Obviously it’s nice to go into the final round with a mathematical chance of winning the championship, however this is racing and anything can happen,” said Irwin, who recorded his best championship finish of third in 2018 with the PBM Ducati team.

“There’s a lot of riders hot on Bradley’s (Ray) and our heels. I think a realistic goal for the weekend is second in the championship and that’s the battle we have, which is something we can control.

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“We made some steps with the Fireblade a few rounds ago that have now been refined. I have also made a step with myself and some old injuries, which are now no longer injuries and it’s allowed me to gel with the bike where I feel we’re getting the maximum potential from the Honda,” he added.

Honda Racing's Glenn Irwin claimed two podiums at Donington Park to move into second place in the British Superbike Championship going into the final round at Brands Hatch.Honda Racing's Glenn Irwin claimed two podiums at Donington Park to move into second place in the British Superbike Championship going into the final round at Brands Hatch.
Honda Racing's Glenn Irwin claimed two podiums at Donington Park to move into second place in the British Superbike Championship going into the final round at Brands Hatch.

“If we’re able to capitalise on this over the weekend I feel we can stand on the podium.

“This weekend we’re aiming for second in the championship, third would be at the worst and the title at the best, but it’s most important to stand on that rostrum in some position.”

Australia’s Jason O’Halloran lies fourth for the McAMS Yamaha team after seeing his title prospects vanish following a disastrous weekend in the Showdown opener at Oulton Park, where he crashed out of the first two races following contract with Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) and Bridewell respectively, ruling him out of race three.

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O’Halloran then suffered a further setback at Donington when he made an error on the brakes into Melbourne hairpin and crashed after slamming into double winner Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati), who was forced to retire in pit lane.

O’Halloran is 18 points behind Jackson with three races left and will be hoping for a trouble-free weekend as he aims to finish the year on a positive note.

Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Yamaha) is sixth ahead of injured outgoing champion Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha), with FS-3 Kawasaki’s Rory Skinner occupying the final Showdown spot in eighth ahead of the finale.

Free practice on Friday takes place from 12.30pm with Saturday’s first race scheduled for 4.05pm.

Sunday’s two BSB races are set for 1pm and 4.05pm.