July 19, 2023

BeerMonster Ducati Ready to Rock at Brands Hatch

BeerMonster Ducati rider Tommy Bridewell takes the 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship lead with him into round six of the series at Brands Hatch this weekend as he looks to continue his fantastic form from the previous round at Snetterton.

Last time out at Snetterton, the Wiltshire rider romped to an impressive treble victory for Paul Bird’s Lake District-based team to take his winning tally to four races so far this season and along with an additional seven podiums, Bridewell holds a 25-point advantage over BeerMonster Ducati teammate Glenn Irwin.
 
Like Bridewell, the County Antrim ace has scored four wins also this season and with his fifth podium of the season coming in the final race at Snetterton, where the PBM team finished first and second for the third time this season, Irwin is keen to reduce the gap to his rival and to extend his lead over third placed Josh Brookes who is 21 points adrift of the Ulsterman.

Both riders can boast great records around the historic Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit over the years with Irwin claiming three victories, two of which came on his previous visit last October as he secured runner-up spot in the 2022 title chase. 

Added to that, Glenn has an additional five podium finishes to his name and whereas Tommy has still to post his first win at the Kent track, he has scored an amazing 15 podium finishes, including eight in his last dozen Brands Hatch races, and just missed out last year as he claimed third place in the 2022 standings. 

Tommy Bridewell: “After Snetterton, I really want to keep the momentum rolling into Brands Hatch as we made some pretty massive steps in a lot of areas. I adopted a different mental approach to every aspect of the race weekend, and it made a big difference for me, so we plan to carry that on. We have a clear direction and have a great base set-up with the bike and going into Brands Hatch, which is one of my favourite tracks, I’m really looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully, a combination of the bike working well and a track I love will reap dividends again for us. I feel I’m on great form so let’s see what we can do there this weekend.”
 
Glenn Irwin: “I have no particular favourites when it comes to tracks but Brands Hatch is one I always look forward to, and it’s where the title will be decided later in the year. We have done some reflecting after Snetterton and after four great rounds, I suppose the results there didn’t match my potential, but I have learned, and we move forward. I have been strong in the early rounds so I need to bring that mindset to Brands Hatch. We’ll get cracked on early and work on the areas we need to and continue with our game plan which has worked well so far this season. We have a wonderful feeling in the team and it’s now time to bounce back with some race victories this weekend.”   


Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Glenn Irwin (2) and Tommy Bridewell (46) head for round six of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI WRAP-UP SUCCESSFUL TESTING PROGRAMME

April 24, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team and rider Glenn Irwin have completed another successful R&G Official test at Oulton Park, with the opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship now just over a week away. Irwin and the team have spent the last two days at the Cheshire track, grabbing as much track time as possible in the final days on track before the season begins. After ending last weekend’s Donington Park test on top, the team was keen to continue to push in the final two days, working through a busy schedule and trying a host of new components and ideas. Irwin ended the test second quickest overall after clocking the best lap of Thursday afternoon’s final session, banking a 1min 33.313s lap on his last run. He leaves feeling confident about next weekend’s opening round and can’t wait to get back out. Glenn Irwin: “That’s us finished pre-season testing and I’m feeling good. We’ve been working, working, working and the bike felt better today but we still have a bit of work to do. “It’s been really, really enjoyable, we’ve tried a number of different things and I think now we’re finding a bit of a balance. Today we unlocked something in that middle session, I did a good few 33s in that run so I think we’re strong. “It’s definitely been very productive. We haven’t gone for lap times, we’ve been focussed on getting the bike right and when that happens, the lap times come. That’s what we’re starting to see and I think we’re in a good place to come back next week and start the season.” Frank Bird Jnr, Team Co-owner: “It’s a mega way to finish, this puts us in really good stead for the season and we’ve got a lot of boxes ticked off with the bike. All the boys are working well, we’ve got everyone back into the swing of things and Glenn seems to be riding well, so we’re in a good window for the first round. “It’s been a long winter but all the hard work seems to be paying off and we’re right in the mix. It means we can come here for Round One and we’re in a great place to start from.” The opening round of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship roars into action at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend, May 3-5.

IRWIN AND HAGER PBM DUCATI END SUCCESSFUL SECOND TEST ON TOP

April 19, 2025
THE Hager PBM Ducati team continued its strong testing form at Donington Park as rider Glenn Irwin once again ended the two days fastest overall. Although the team is still not concentrating on lap times, Irwin picked up where he left off at Circuito de Navarra earlier this month as he led the way on Friday before going even quicker on Day Two with an impressive fastest lap of 1min 27.015s in the final session. After a strong first test where he topped the timesheets at Navarra, the team headed to the second R&G Official test at Donington Park looking to work on a number of different things. Irwin was consistently quick across the opening day, ending Friday fastest overall with a 1:27.022sec lap in the final session to end the day at the top of the timesheets with what was the fastest ever BSB lap of the iconic track. Along with most of the pack, he opted to sit out of Saturday morning’s first session due to track conditions, heading out for the second to work through a few more things. He again shot to the top of the timesheets with a lap of 1:27.468, before later going one better in the final session to clock his new fastest ever lap. Glenn Irwin: “It’s been really good, like Navarra, we’ve continued with a plan. Yesterday we had a really, really strong bike here and conditions were a little better. Today conditions were tougher with the wind but everyone still finds a way to go fast. “We probably persevered with a bike which is suited to the final sector, perhaps Turn One as well. As the day went on I realised we were losing a bit in some places but we stuck with it. “It’s pleasing because I would say that isn’t the bike of choice for here, perhaps maybe yesterday's bike was better, but to top today feeling like that, to do a lot of laps in the 27s with improved pace on old tyres is good. The test has definitely been a success.” John Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “I think it’s been a positive test where we’ve confirmed a number of test items over the two days. We had slightly better conditions yesterday than today but I think we’ve ticked a lot of boxes, gone fairly quick so it’s all positive – roll on Oulton Park. “The plan there is more of the same, just keep trying to understand the new tyre, try and work with it. I think longevity is going to be the key now for Oulton Park, we’ll do a couple of race runs, see how the tyre lasts and then get ready for Round One.” The team will now prepare for the final test at Oulton Park next Wednesday and Thursday, April 23 and 24 which will be the last chance to get everything ready ahead of the first round of the 2025 season at Oulton Park over the May Bank Holiday weekend.
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