Glenn Irwin made the perfect start to the final round of the British Superbike Showdown at Brands Hatch as the Northern Ireland rider topped free practice on Friday.

Irwin, the title runner-up for the past two seasons, holds an outside shot at becoming Northern Ireland’s first BSB champion this weekend.

The Carrickfergus man is third in the standings with three races to go at the Kent circuit, 46 points behind OMG Grilla Yamaha’s Kyle Ryde and 42 adrift of reigning champion and Honda Racing UK rider Tommy Bridewell.

The 34-year-old clocked the fastest time on Friday on the Hager PBM Ducati to lead Ryde by 0.243s, with Bridewell three tenths further back in third.

placeholder image — Glenn Irwin on the Hager PBM Ducati

Bridewell’s Honda team-mate Andrew Irwin was fourth fastest, with Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW) and Charlie Nesbitt on the MasterMac Honda finalising the top six.

Title hopeful Irwin holds strong form at Brands Hatch having won four of the last six races held at the venue, but the 11-in-a-row North West 200 Superbike race winner will need luck on his side if he’s to pip Ryde and Bridewell to the coveted British crown.

“Going into Brands Hatch this weekend we have a lot of confidence and positivity,” said Irwin, who sealed his eighth victory of the season in the penultimate round at Donington Park. “The Ducati has been very strong there before.

“A cooler Brands Hatch I think gives us a real fighting chance to continue to fight for success, win us some podiums and whatever that may be in terms of championship, it’s been an absolute blast this season.

“We’ve won eight races, only two less than I won last year.

“If we can get a couple of wins to start the weekend and outscore our rivals, then we can take it to the final race and anything can happen,” he added.

“We have to make sure we are in the fight and to take advantage of any slip-up by Kyle or Tommy. If we can get a bit of luck, then the title is possible, but either way, to finish where we end up will be a remarkable achievement.”

The opening BSB race is at 16:00 BST on Saturday, with Sunday’s final two races scheduled for 12:30 BST and 16:00 BST.

In the Supersport class, Dublin’s Jack Kennedy is on the cusp of an unprecedented fifth title.

The Honda Racing UK rider is already the most successful British Supersport rider ever and holds a cushion of 21 points over Ben Currie with two races remaining.

Kennedy was fastest on Friday in free practice by 0.166s from Luke Stapleford, with Currie third ahead of Randalstown’s Eugene McManus.

In the National Superstock 1000 Championship, Scott Swann from Magheramorne is third ahead of this weekend’s final two races, although the 21-year-old is only a point clear of Luke Mossey (Milenco by Padgett’s Honda).

Davey Todd leads the title battle on the Cheshire Mouldings BMW by 11 points from Joe Talbot, with Swann 62 further behind.

Mossey was quickest in opening practice on Friday from Todd and Swann.