July 22, 2023

Bridewell Increases Championship Lead At Damp Brands Hatch

BeerMonster Ducati rider Tommy Bridewell further extended his lead in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship today following a wet race at Brands Hatch despite only managing a seventh-place finish.

After scorching to pole position as the rains came for round six of the series, Bridewell was confident going into the 12-lap Bike Social Sprint race and hit the front from the start.
 
However, he started to slip back as he suffered a misted visor and was holding seventh place when the red flags came out due to an oil spillage and because of the extent which needed an extensive clean up operation, the race was declared as of seven laps and half points awarded.

Teammate Glenn Irwin also struggled in the wet conditions and after starting seventh on the grid for the opening race, he settled into eighth place in the early stages as the rain continued to fall. But like Bridewell, he too suffered with issues during the race with a lack of grip and when the race was stopped early, he was classified in tenth place.
 
Tommy Bridewell: “Today’s race was very much damage limitation as we had a few issues which held us back. In qualifying the bike was brilliant, as it was in the dry, but in the race, I was struggling as I couldn’t physically see from the second lap onwards. I couldn’t see my pit board and could only really see the red light from the bike in front of me, so it wasn’t pleasant at all. It was disappointing as I felt I could have won the race but there’s a bit of joy too as none of the riders in front of me are championship rivals and with Glenn finishing behind me, I increased my lead slightly. Tomorrow’s another day and the weather looks good so I’m confident of being in a better position in the races.”
 
Glenn Irwin: “Everything’s gone well in the dry and in both FP3 and FP4 I was strong and although seventh on the grid wasn’t ideal, I felt confident of moving forward in the race. However, I also felt confident Tommy could win as he looked so strong but we both struggled in the race, and it felt like I had no grip. Fortunately for me, Tommy was only a couple of places ahead of me and with the half points, I’ve only lost marginally to him in the standings. It could have been a lot worse but tomorrow’s looking dry although I’m 14th on the grid for the first race so will have to pull some big moves to make up ground.”
 
Johnny Mowatt, Team Co-ordinator: “All in all, it’s been a positive weekend so far and both riders have shown exceptional pace in the dry, both over one lap and over longer race runs. They worked hard again in the practice sessions but obviously the rain came along which presented a different challenge but Tommy rode well to get pole position. Glenn opted for the harder tyre initially which was the wrong way to go and lost him time but both riders were confident for the race. Conditions were worse and both experienced problems in their first race on the bike in the wet but used their heads, rode solidly, and picked up more points than their main rivals. Tomorrow looks dry so we’ll go again then.”
 
The result sees Bridewell extend his lead in the series to 26.5 points over Irwin who in turn increased his lead in second place to 23.5 points ahead of Kyle Ryde going into tomorrow’s two races over 20 laps each.
 
 British Superbike Championship – BikeSocial Sprint race (7 laps)
1 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2 Danny Kent (Honda)
3 Christian Iddon (Ducati)
4 Jack Kennedy (Yamaha)
5 Jason O’Halloran (Yamaha)
6 Leon Haslam (BMW)
 7 Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati)
10 Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
 
 Championship Positions
 1 Bridewell 221.5pts
2 Irwin 195
3 Ryde 171.5
4 Brookes 169.5
5 Haslam 169
6 O’Halloran 138.5
 
Pictures courtesy of Double Red: Glenn Irwin (2) and Tommy Bridewell (46) at Brands Hatch

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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