BSB: Brookes reigns supreme to be crowned King of Brands after winning double

Josh Brookes retained his King of Brands crown by claiming a stunning double victory at Brands Hatch at the fourth round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, putting himself firmly in a fighting chance of the Integro Triple Crown after winning the opening two of the six race contest.

At the start of the race Brookes launched off the line to lead the pack into Paddock Hill Bend for the first time ahead of Scott Redding and Dan Linfoot with Tommy Bridewell also in close contention. The Oxford Racing Ducati rider was on a mission and he made a move on race one podium finisher Linfoot on lap four to move into third with the Be Wiser Ducatis ahead of him.

Bridewell was pushing to make a move on Redding and by lap ten he was on his back wheel, with the Donington Park triple race winner running wide into Paddock Hill Bend, giving Bridewell the opportunity he needed to take the advantage into Druids.

Bridewell was reeling in Brookes and he was shadowing him for the lead but it wasn’t enough for the 2015 champion to be displaced from the lead and he withstood the pressure him his championship rival to take the chequered flag first and claim the Bennetts Rewards King of Brands title.

Redding was able to return to the podium after the disappointment of race one in third place but behind there was another intense battle between Danny Buchan and Dan Linfoot with the FS3-Racing Kawasaki rider taking the place at half race distance and held off the Santander Salt TAG Yamaha to the finish.

Christian Iddon was embroiled in a battle of the BMWs which he emerged ahead from, getting the better of Peter Hickman and Keith Farmer after a race long duel with the Tyco BMW pairing split by the Smiths Racing BMW.

Jason O’Halloran was ninth on the sole McAMS Yamaha with Glenn Irwin holding off Luke Mossey, Andrew Irwin and Xavi Forés for tenth place. It was a disappointing race for Bradley Ray who crashed out unhurt at Hawthorns.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:

1. Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati)
2. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) +0.238s
3. Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati) +10.248s
4. Danny Buchan (FS3-Racing Kawasaki) +14.024s
5. Dan Linfoot (Santander Salt TAG Yamaha) +15.568s
6. Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +16.899s
7. Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +18.364s
8. Keith Farmer (Tyco BMW) +19.926s
9. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +22.138s
10. Glenn Irwin (Quattro Plant – JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +27.223s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Knockhill:

1. Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati) 145
2. Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati) 131
3. Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati) 124
4. Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 108
5. Danny Buchan (FS3-Racing Kawasaki) 94
6. Xavi Forés (Honda Racing) 75