Peter Hickman became the tenth different race winner of the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship in the second race at Brands Hatch, claiming FHO Racing BMW their first victory of the season.
Glenn Irwin initially launched off the line to lead the pack on the opening lap from brother Andrew and Hickman with Danny Buchan and new champion Bradley Ray in close contention.
Hickman was determined though and the FHO Racing BMW rider had moved to the front of the pack by lap four with a move down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend. He was able to maintain his edge despite a small advantage over the chasing pack who fought for the final podium positions.
Buchan had been biding his time and he moved into second place with five laps to go as he continued to come under pressure from the Irwin brothers and Jason O'Halloran who had been closing back in on the leading group over the closing laps.
On the final lap, Hickman had the edge with Buchan in second, but the tussle for third between Glenn Irwin and Andrew Irwin plus O'Halloran ended prematurely at Surtees when the SYNETIQ BMW rider made contact with his McAMS Yamaha rival.
O'Halloran crashed out of the race unhurt, but Andrew Irwin was issued a ride through equivalent time penalty (20 seconds), a three place grid penalty for race three and two penalty points. The sanction can be found here.
Glenn Irwin claimed another podium finish meaning he has the advantage for the runner-up spot in the standings heading into race three, after Tommy Bridewell was forced to start the race from the eBay pit lane after a problem on the grid.
Bridewell fought his way through to fifth place, just adrift of Kyle Ryde in fourth place on the lone Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha, after champion Ray crashed out on the second lap at Paddock Hill Bend.
Danny Kent continued his best weekend of the season so far in sixth place ahead of Buildbase Suzuki teammates Christian Iddon and rookie Charlie Nesbitt with the MCE Ducati pairing of Josh Brookes and Tom Sykes completing the top ten.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 2 result:
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW)
- Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +0.622s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +2.702s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +13.381s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +13.494s
- Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.902s
- Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +15.181s
- Charlie Nesbitt (Buildbase Suzuki) +16.426s
- Josh Brookes (MCE Ducati) +18.912s
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +20.511s
For the full session result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1182
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1146
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1128
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1095
- Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1087
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1071
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1031
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1017
For the full standings please click here