Brands Hatch BSS: Easton takes win in season opener

Stuart Easton took the honours in the opening race of the 2013 British Supersport Championship as he got the better of pole setter Billy McConnell at Brands Hatch on Saturday afternoon.

Having moved back to the 600cc class after a number of years in the Superbike class, it was Easton’s first race win since the 2010 Macau Grand Prix.
 
The Mar Train Yamaha rider overhauled Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) on the third of 16 laps and was never headed, opening up a 0.8s lead over the rest of the field.

McConnell battled back from a slightly sluggish start to move into second at half race distance and although he closed the gap to Easton he was unable to get close enough to make a pass.
 
Alastair Seeley followed McConnell through to third after getting the better of team-mate Wilson in the closing stages with Richards slipping back to fifth although only a second split the quintet at the chequered flag.

The race had to be restarted after Jason O’Halloran crashed exiting Druids, the incident seeing Deane Brown, Sam Hornsey and William Dunlop also go down in the ensuing melee although all four riders escaped injury.
 
Result
1 Stuart Easton (Yamaha)
2 Billy McConnell (Triumph)
3 Alastair Seeley (Kawasaki)
4 Ben Wilson (Kawasaki)
5 Glen Richards (Triumph)
6 Graeme Gowland (Yamaha)