Double Podium For VisionTrack Ducati At Oulton
The VisionTrack Ducati pairing of Josh Brookes and Christian Iddon got the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown underway in fine style at Oulton Park this afternoon with second and third place finishes respectively in the opening race of the weekend.
The results were all the more crucial with championship leader Jason O’Halloran crashing out with two laps to go and the title standings have now closed up considerably, Iddon now just 29 points off the series lead.
The weekend started positively from the outset and after topping the times during Friday’s free practice sessions, held in good, dry conditions, Brookes was able to do it in the damp too. Indeed, an inspired decision to fit an intermediate rear tyre in this morning’s qualifying session enabled him to claim pole position for the afternoon’s race with Iddon heading up the third row in a solid seventh.
Conditions were perfect for the race and although positions changed on a number of occasions in the first half of the 14-lapper, it was Brookes who led more often than not from O’Halloran, Iddon, Tarran Mackenzie and Lee Jackson.
As the race entered its final third, O’Halloran took the lead and looked to make a break but in doing so, he pushed a little too hard and crashed out at Hizzy’s which put Josh back into the lead.
However, he still had Mackenzie, Christian and Jackson for close company and it was O’Halloran’s team-mate Mackenzie who edged ahead at Hizzy’s on the final lap. He held on for the win from Josh and Christian but their podium finishes, and O’Halloran’s demise has put them right back into title contention with eight races of the Showdown still to go.
Josh Brookes: “Irrespective of wins and podiums, I’m just pleased to be back in the fight again and it’s nice to be racing hard at the head of the field. I felt good leading and although Jason got by on a few occasions, it was never more than for a few corners although I could see he was making a few mistakes. When the attack came from Taz, I didn’t have the grip to fight with him and couldn’t get close to even attempt a pass, but I can’t complain with second. At the same time, now I’m back in the fight, I want to win races again, so we’ll keep pressing on and see what tomorrow brings. It’s a good start to the Showdown especially for the team with two bikes back on the podium.”
Christian Iddon: “Third place is a good start to the Showdown and our title hopes. I got a good start from the thirdrow which made my life that little bit easier and could see Jason and Josh were battling hard at the front. Taz and I were also battling hard but not enough to lose any ground and when Jason crashed, it changed the complexion of the race. I’m not sure why but the pace slowed quite a bit and I didn’t quite have the package to push any harder. After an average qualifying session though, a podium is fantastic and it’s all to play for now.”
Johnny Mowatt, Team Coordinator: “On the one hand, I’m a little bit disappointed we didn’t get a win today but on the other hand, second and third place finishes is a good start to the Showdown – and with Jason’s demise, we’re right back in there. You don’t want to get your results due to your main rivals’ misfortune but when the opportunity is handed to you, you have to grab it with both hands. We’ve done exactly that and fair play to both riders, especially Josh for hanging on in there. He was a long way adrift three to four rounds ago but has clawed his way back and anything’s possible now. It looks like the grip levels weren’t there in the closing stages, particularly in sector two, despite running the harder tyre but our overall pace is good. The package is working well so we’ll look to do it all again – and hopefully go one better – tomorrow.”
Sunday’s races are scheduled to take place at 13:10 and 16:15.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship – BikeSocial race one (14 laps)
1 Tarran Mackenzie (Yamaha)
2 Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati)
3 Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati)
4 Lee Jackson (Kawasaki)
5 Peter Hickman (BMW)
6 Tommy Bridewell (Ducati)
Championship Positions
1 O’Halloran 1071pts
2 Mackenzie 1066
3 Iddon 1042
4 Bridewell 1034
5 Hickman 1026
6 Brookes 1022
