BSB: The Bennetts British Superbike Championship Heads To Brands Hatch For Round Five Of The 2022 Season.
By Dawn Hammersley
The British Superbike Championship and Supporting Championships Are At The Iconic Kent Circuit Of Brands Hatch After A Five Week Break.
For round five of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, the BSB paddock is at the Kent circuit of Brands Hatch for the first of two rounds it has at the stella circuit. Round four saw some of the closest racing to-date at Scotland’s Knockhill circuit.
OMG Racing’s Bradley Ray is leading the championship standings as we go into round five, Brands Hatch is Bradley’s home circuit and with no doubt he will be looking to keep hold of the championship lead and bringing home the silver wear in front of his home town supporters. Brad is leading the way with podium credits too, he has 30 credits in the bank towards the all-important showdown.
McAMS Yamaha’s Jason O’Halloran stole the show at Knockhill winning two out of the three races, the Australian rider has managed to close the gap to just 16 points to championship leader Brad Ray. Jason has a healthy 26 podium credits in the bank.
Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing’s Lee Jackson has had a very strong start to his 2022 season championship campaign. Lee is in third place in the standings on 174 points, with 14 podium credits. Lee will be looking to get his second win of the season and maintain his front running form.
Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing’s Rory Skinner is in fourth place just 26 points behind his team-mate Lee Jackson. Rory has been a podium finisher four times so far this season, his first BSB win has alluded him so far, will he get on the top step this weekend at Brands Hatch?
OMG Racing’s Kyle Ryde is in fifth place in the standings with one race victory under his belt. Kyle didn’t get on the podium in the previous round, he will be looking to get back on the podium at Brands and be more consistent in all-three races.
Honda Racing’s Glenn Irwin had a lightening start to the 2022 season winning all-three races at Silverstone, since round one the Northern Irish rider has not been able to get a top-three finish, despite this Glenn has 15 podium credits and is in sixth place in the standings on 134 points.
Oxford Products Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell is in seventh place on 94 points, Tommy’s best result of the season so far is a second place at Cheshire’s Oulton Park. Tommy has strong form at Brands, he got three second place finishes at the 2021 season finale, the Wiltshire rider will be looking to go one better this season to take his first win of the season.
SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad’s Danny Buchan is holding on to the last showdown spot in eighth place with 84 points, as of yet Danny is still to get a podium place finish in 2022. As we head into round five of the championship podium credits are a must, Danny will be eager to start his collection of podium credits this weekend.
Just outside the top eight is MCE Ducati’s Josh Brookes, Josh has winning form at Brands and the Australian rider put in a stronger performance in at Knockhill, the Ducati machinery had some improvements for Knockhill and they definitely worked so it will be interesting to see if Josh can get back to winning ways at one of his favorite circuits.
Suzuki’s Christian Iddon will be returning to racing action after having been injured in the last round, he is currently in 11th place in the standings.
MCE Ducati’s Tom Sykes makes his return to Brands Hatch, the last time he raced at the circuit was back in 2010 as a wildcard entry whilst competing in the World Superbike Championship, Tom won two races that weekend. Will we see a step forward for the Yorkshire rider this weekend?
Reigning BSB champion Tarran Mackenzie is now almost back to full fitness after just taking part in his first wildcard ride in The World Superbike championship, Tarran will have to get used to the BSB electronics again after his wildcard ride. Tarran did the triple last time he rode at Brands at the 2021 season finale, will the Ashby-De-La-Zouch rider make his first podium appearance this weekend?
Round five gets under-way this Friday 22nd July at Brands Hatch, Who will be crowned the Monster Energy King Of Brands?
Featured Images: Olithephoto, Sky Sports.