October 8, 2024

Brands Beckons For Title Contender Irwin

The 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship comes to its dramatic conclusion this weekend with the final round at Brands Hatch whereby Hager PBM Ducati rider Glenn Irwin is still in with a shout of the title.

The Ulsterman, who has finished runner-up for the past two seasons, currently holds third place in the standings and is one of just three riders who can claim the crown. Glenn is 46 points behind the leader, Kyle Ryde with defending champion Tommy Bridewell just four points behind in second, but with three races, each scoring 35 points for a win, then Glenn is most definitely still in the running.
 
However, the omens are good for the 34-year-old from Carrickfergus as he has won four of the last six races to be held at the October meeting at the Kent track, so if he can match that sort of performance, he will be well in with a shout of his first title and a remarkable tenth crown for the PBM team, who are the reigning champions.

Glenn Irwin: “It’s great to be heading to Brands Hatch for the final round, the forecast looks good and being from Northern Ireland, I enjoy the autumnal feel which the the last round always brings! We know there’s a lot at stake this weekend and although I’m in a different position than I was last year, I still am relishing the pressure. 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. We have to make sure we are in the fight and to take advantage of any slip up by Kyle or Tommy and I feel that both rider and team are capable of that. Going into this final round, I’d like to thank everyone at BSB, the marshals, the medics, our sponsors and all the fans, and of course, the Hager PBM Ducati team. It’s been a blast and 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.”   

Jordan Bird, Joint Team Owner: “The final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship 2024 is here and what a first year we have had. To be in with a shout of the title is full credit to the team and Glenn as they have worked tirelessly all year. We are all looking forward to this weekend and anything can happen! Whatever the outcome, this year has been something to be proud of. The first year without our dad was always going to be a challenge but I know he would be so proud of our achievements. Glenn is in the form of his life and we look forward to seeing him round out 2024 in fine PBM style. I’d like to take this chance to thank each and every person who has made this year possible. Our partners, our family, friends and, of course, our supporters. Let’s put on a show for the final time this year, see you all trackside.”
 
Pictures (courtesy of Double Red): Glenn Irwin in action, Frank & Jordan Bird.

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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