BSB Oulton Park: Glenn Irwin wins controversial second race and takes championship lead

Glenn Irwin came out on top in a controversial second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Oulton Park which saw Tommy Bridewell handed a three-second, long lap equivalent penalty for “unsafe conduct during the safety car period/restart.”

Bridewell packed the back up on the run down to Lodge after appearing to get the power down on the exit of the previous corner, Druids. As a result, several riders almost ran into each other, but thankfully nobody collided. The incident was deemed unsafe by race control.

The now former championship leader was unaware that he had been given a penalty and crossed the line with the narrowest of leads over Irwin, naturally celebrating as a result. Bridewell thought he’d won the race until he was told otherwise upon returning to pit lane.

With three seconds added to his time, Bridewell has been classified in sixth position. Irwin now had a championship lead of 3.5 points heading into the final race of the weekend.

Lee Jackson inherited second place onboard the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki, whilst Kyle Ryde completed the podium for LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha. It’s Jackson’s second podium of the weekend so far.

Leon Haslam came home in fourth ahead of Josh Brookes, whilst Christian Iddon and Jason O’Halloran were seventh and eighth respectively. Ryan Vickers and Peter Hickman completed the podium.

Rookie Bradley Perie’s impressive form continued in 11^th, whilst fellow BSB 2023 newcomers Charlie Nesbitt and Max Cook crossed the line in 12^th and 13^th. Luke Stapleford and Luke Mossey secured the final points available.

Tom Neave crashed out of the race at Hizzys on the second lap. Honda Racing UK teammate Franco Bourne went down at Lodge at the end of lap three.

Meanwhile, Jack Kennedy suffered a big crash on the exit of Old Hall on lap four. Michael Dunlop, racing in place of the injured Josh Owens at Hawk Racing, crashed out of the race at Lodge on lap six.

The safety car period was created so much drama was deployed on lap 14 following a crash for Storm Stacey at Clay Hill.

The third and final BSB race at Oulton Park is due to begin 16:15.

---

Glenn Irwin has closed to within 7.5 points of BeerMonster Ducati teammate Tommy Bridewell after winning the opening race of the weekend at Oulton Park.

The two title contenders, both racing with a special tribute livery for Paul Bird, could not be separated for the entire race, with Irwin getting launch off the line to lead from turn one. Bridewell was glued to his rear wheel, taking the lead of the race briefly after Irwin went slightly deep at turn one on the final lap.

Irwin forced his way back through almost instantly however the race was far from over. Bridewell stayed with his teammate but ran in too hot at Hizzys and had to cut the chicane, dropping to fourth in the process.

Irwin was left unchallenged and crossed the line to collect his seventh victory of the 2023 season ahead of Lee Jackson and Leon Haslam.

The rest of the field were quite far back, with Josh Brookes crossing the line over five seconds behind the leader in fifth spot. That said, it’s Brookes’ best result since his podiums at Snetterton.

Kyle Ryde was sixth for LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha, coming home ahead of Christian Iddon and Jason O’Halloran. Peter Hickman and Charlie Nesbitt completed the top 10.

Max Cook finished 11^th onboard the second of the Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki machine, ahead of the returning Davey Todd. Bradley Perie, Tom Neave and Franco Bourne secured the final points on offer today.

Ryan Vickers was given a ride through penalty for a jump start; however, he failed to comply and was handed a black flag as a result.

Storm Stacey crashed out of fourth at Lodge at the end of the opening lap. Luke Mossey retired with a bike issue on the following lap.

Jack Kennedy crashed out of the race at Hizzys on lap three, before Luke Stapleford crashed on the exit of Shell Oils on the fifth lap. Louis Valleley returned to the pits at the end of lap eight.

Sunday’s races are due to take place at 13:15 and 16:15 respectively.

---

Tommy Bridewell pipped BeerMonster Ducati teammate Glenn Irwin by 0.006s to take pole position at Oulton Park.

Irwin was on the pace straight away, posting a 1:33.764 on his first flying lap. However, Bridewell fought back with his own time of 1:33.758 to knock his teammate off top spot with just over five minutes remaining.

It’s Bridewell’s third pole of his 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship campaign, and comes on an emotional weekend for the PBM team following the passing of owner Paul Bird earlier this month.

Both riders will have a special tribute livery in this weekend’s races, whilst Irwin also has a special helmet dedicated to Bird. The paddock came together on the grid for a minute’s silence prior to the qualifying session.

Meanwhile, six of PBM’s most recognisable bikes can be found in the pit-lane, including Shane Byrne’s title-winning Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki and Be Wiser Ducati machines. Sunday’s public pit lane walk has been extended to allow fans the opportunity to visit the tribute.

Kyle Ryde, fresh from agreeing a new deal with LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha for 2024, completes the front row on his R1. The four-time 2023 race winner was 0.297s behind Bridewell.

Leon Haslam heads row two ahead of fellow veteran Josh Brookes, whilst Storm Stacey completes row two onboard the Starline Racing Kawasaki.

Jason O’Halloran qualified in seventh for McAMS Yamaha ahead of two-time Oulton Park race winner Lee Jackson. Ryan Vickers and Christian Iddon complete the top 10.

Luke Mossey and Jack Kennedy will start the opening race from 11^th and 12^th respectively, qualifying ahead of Max Cook and Davey Todd. The latter is making his return to the BSB grid as a replacement for the injured Danny Buchan at SYNETIQ BMW.

Luke Stapleford starts his first race for McAMS Yamaha from 15^th on the grid. Stapleford replaces Tito Rabat at the 2021 championship-winning team.

Bradley Perie was 16^th, whilst Peter Hickman failed to set a lap-time in the session due to an issue with his FHO Racing BMW M1000 RR.

Charlie Nesbitt was the best of the rest in Q1 and will start opening race of the weekend from 19^th on the grid. He’s joined on row seven by Jack Scott and Tom Neave.

Hector Barbera, newcomer Brayden Elliot, Louis Valleley and Michael Dunlop complete the grid. Elliot replaces Dean Harrison at DAO Raicng Kawasaki, whilst Dunlop is riding for Hawk Racing in place of the injured Josh Owens.

The opening Superbike race of the weekend at Oulton Park is due to take place at 16:15 this afternoon (September 16).