Mar-Train Yamaha Racing’s Jack Kennedy rounded off the Bennetts British Superbike championship by scoring two more points finishes at Brands Hatch.

Kennedy came home in eighth spot in Saturday’s Sprint Race and followed it up with a 14th-place finish in Race Two on Sunday.

A retirement in the final race of the season failed to dislodge Kennedy from 10th spot in the overall standings, an impressive return in Mar-Train’s debut season in the Superbike class.

Kennedy – who was riding in his final race for the team – said:
“It was a good weekend. I was in the top 10 in the wet and dry which got us straight into Q2. We then matched our best outright qualifying of fourth place in the wet, so I was happy with that.

“I got a good start in the Sprint Race but ran into a few handling issues and the conditions were sketchy as well. We dropped back to eighth which was still a decent result, but our lap time wasn’t great, so it meant we started 15th on the grid for Race Two.

“We came home 14th in Race Two, and in the final race I had a few warnings as I nearly went down a couple of times. I wanted to bring the bike home in one piece as we were out of the points anyway, so I came into the pits.

“That was a disappointing way to end the season, but I really enjoyed the whole year on the Superbike. I think we did a really good job in our first year, and we came away with 10th place in the overall standings which speaks for itself.

“I have learned a lot, and this is where I want to be next year. My heart is in the Superbike class, and I will do everything I can to be on the grid in 2024.

“I feel I belong here, and my results prove that. Big thanks to Mar-Train Yamaha Racing this year and I look forward to seeing what happens next year.”

Mar-train Yamaha Racing secured points in 25 of the 33 races in this season’s British Superbike championship.

Kennedy’s best results were two fourth place finishes at Brands Hatch (July) and Donington Park (September), helping the team secure 10th in the overall standings.

Reflecting on the 2023 BSB season, Mar-Train Yamaha Racing team owner Tim Martin said:  
“That’s the championship over after an eventful weekend at Brands Hatch. We had the full spectrum of weather, from hailstones to rain to sunshine.

“We had an eighth and a 14th-place finish, and in race three Jack retired as he had an issue with his arm and felt it wasn’t safe to continue. But we finished 10th in the overall standings.

“It was obviously Jack’s last race for the team. We wish him all the very best in the future.

“Our crew chief Andy Jamison also finished with the team this weekend and we would also wish him every success in the future.

“There were a lot of hugs in the paddock today, and I just want to thank everyone who played their part this season.

“The season has been highs and lows. We had two fourth place finishes which were our best results. We had multiple points scored, some inside the top 10 and some outside.

“We have definitely progressed and got our eyes opened in the Superbike class. We have definitely improved as a team.

“We will push on now for 2024, and we will have some big news in the next couple of weeks in relation to changes to the team and sponsors.

“So, thank-you to everyone again, including all the marshals and medical staff. Enjoy the off-season and we will see you all again next year.”

Featured Images: Olithephoto.