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Leon Haslam finally clinches elusive Bennetts British Superbike title

Leon Haslam celebrated his first Bennetts British Superbike Championship title victory at Brands Hatch this afternoon, crossing the line in a safe sixth place to have the edge over Jake Dixon into tomorrow’s two races.

It was Glenn Irwin though who was victorious for the first time this season for Be Wiser Ducati, becoming the sixth different race winner of the year, with Dixon and Tarran Mackenzie completing the podium in the opening race to the triple-header weekend.

At the start of the race Glenn Irwin launched off the line to lead the pack into Paddock Hill Bend from Dixon and Mackenzie with Peter Hickman and Andrew Irwin in close contention. Superbike rookie Mackenzie had a big moment on the McAMS Yamaha on the third lap and that dropped him down the order.

On the fifth lap Richard Cooper and Tommy Bridewell crashed out unhurt at Druids, the pair had been running inside the top eight, with Jason O’Halloran crashing out a lap later at Graham Hill Bend.

Meanwhile at the front Andrew Irwin moved into second place on the seventh lap to put both of the Be Wiser Ducatis ahead of the chasing pack. Dixon wasn’t giving up without a fight though an he stalked the younger Irwin brother before making a decisive move with four laps to go.

Mackenzie then had Andrew Irwin in his sights too and he went for a dive down the inside at Surtees with two laps remaining to fire the McAMS Yamaha back into podium contention. At the front though Glenn Irwin had the edge to hold off Dixon and Mackenzie to the chequered flag as Andrew Irwin equalled his best finish of the season.

Peter Hickman held on to fifth place for Smiths Racing BMW ahead of Haslam who had done enough to become British champion after a season that has seen him score 14 race wins and only failed to finish off the podium four times.

Haslam was ahead of 2015 title-winner Josh Brookes and James Ellison with Danny Buchan edging out Michael Laverty to complete the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 1 result:

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati)

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)   +1.901s

Tarran Mackenzie  (McAMS Yamaha) +2.462s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +3.597s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +5.122s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +6.185s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +8.954s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +10.808s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +15.198s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +20.702s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch, Race 1:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 664

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 613

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 579

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 566

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 560

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 538

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 2018 Bennetts BSB champion “It’s like a big weight’s been lifted off my shoulders. Honestly it was kind-of one of those races I knew I didn’t need to push on, I needed to stay out of trouble. I got really pushed out wide in turn two and then it was Cooper I think crashed out in front of me and I was just like ‘stay out of trouble, stay out of trouble’.

“I saw Jake wasn’t leading so I knew top seven was good enough and I was running in sixth with a big gap. I wanted to have a go at Hicky and Tarran to try and get on that podium but I just didn’t want to risk it.

“After the last few years, I just wanted to bring it home and tomorrow I can enjoy now. I can go out and have a bit of fun. That last lap felt like an eternity, it was a long old race! It’s been one of those years, it’s gone so well and I’m so grateful to everyone around me.”

British Superbike

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Jake Dixon smashes Assen records to claim pole from Mackenzie by 0.004s!

Jake Dixon claimed pole position by just 0.004s in an intense battle for the top spot in Datatag Qualifying for the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Assen this afternoon, edging out front row debutant Tarran Mackenzie and standings leader Leon Haslam.

A hectic Datatag Qualifying kicked off with Haslam setting the initial pace in Q1, setting the fastest time of the weekend ahead of Josh Brookes after the first flying laps, but Dixon was attacking and soon he had moved to the top with a time of 1m:35.716s.

Haslam held second ahead of Mackenzie and Tommy Bridewell who had pushed up the order after returning to action following his free practice crash this morning. Showdown contender Bradley Ray nudged his way into the top 18 to make the cut for Q2, but Danny Buchan ended the session in the gravel and will start 18th on the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki tomorrow as he was unable to take part in the second stage.

In Q2 the pace was electrifying with the top 16 riders lapping inside the existing lap record, however for Showdown contender Ray it wasn’t enough and he will start 16th on the grid for tomorrow’s opening race.

Peter Hickman was another of the Showdown contenders to miss out on Q3; he was pushed outside the top nine in the final moments as Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran moved into contention, but at the front Dixon was pushing hard.

The RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki set the benchmark in Q2 with the fastest ever Bennetts BSB lap of Assen with a time of 1m:35.579s to head off Haslam and Glenn Irwin on the Be Wiser Ducati.

Gino Rea had been impressing on the OMG Suzuki and a crash at turn 15 put the OMG Suzuki rider out of contention for Q3 as he starts from eleventh on the grid ahead of James Ellison and Michael Laverty for race one.

The top nine then returned to the track for one final time in Q3 and although the pace wasn’t as fast as the previous session it was Glenn Irwin who headed the times after the first flying laps. A lap later and Bridewell had surged ahead to prove he was back in contention despite his earlier huge crash.

Dixon though went to the top, but Mackenzie then displaced him at the top of the times, however Dixon wasn’t done and he had another lap to fight for the pole position which he did to move ahead by just 0.004s.

Haslam will complete the front row as he bids to extend his advantage tomorrow with Glenn Irwin heading row two ahead of Bridewell and Brookes. Tyco BMW’s Christian Iddon returned to Q3 and he will start seventh on the grid ahead of Honda Racing’s Dan Linfoot and O’Halloran.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Datatag Qualifying result:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 1m:35.639s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.004s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.248s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.423s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.514s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.723s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +1.173s

Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +1.256s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.580s

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) Pole position “I haven’t been feeling the best so far this weekend; I started to feel a bit ill midweek and the team said it would pass, but hopefully tomorrow is a step towards feeling better again!

“We have worked hard on race distance during free practice and it was really great to do the fast laps in qualifying on the softer option tyre as it is nice to try and find the limit of what you have to offer.

“Overall I am happy with qualifying and the feeling we have for tomorrow. I have done my homework and so hopefully that will pay off in the races so we can try to close down Leon again.”

British Superbike

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Jake Dixon on record-breaking pole as Haslam starts last for race one 

RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki’s Jake Dixon will start from pole position for tomorrow’s opening race of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown at Oulton Park after setting the fastest ever lap of the Cheshire circuit, whilst his title rival Leon Haslam will start from the back of the grid.

The afternoon was filled with drama for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team as standings leader Haslam suffered a terminal technical problem which forced him out of action and to push the bike back to pitlane and sit out of the remainder of the session, meaning he will start last and 24th on the grid for race one.

Then in the Q2 session it was fellow Showdown contender Peter Hickman who missed the cut for the final pole position shootout and the Smiths Racing BMW rider will start 12th on the grid in race one.

The final Q3 stage got underway with Dixon setting the benchmark to set the first lap time in the 1m:33s lap time this weekend, but the session was red flagged when Danny Buchan crashed out at Island, and the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider was able to walk away. He will start ninth on the grid for tomorrow’s opening race.

The session restarted and Dixon wasn’t done; he upped the pace again to set his fastest ever lap of Oulton Park to hold off the opposition and Josh Brookes looked set to join him on the front row.

However a flurry of last lap dashes put Tommy Bridewell on the front row for the first time with Moto Rapido Ducati with Luke Mossey completing the top three on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Brookes was nudged back onto row two ahead of Showdown rival Glenn Irwin and Richard Cooper who led the Buildbase Suzuki charge to start sixth on the grid ahead of team-mate Bradley Ray and Tarran Mackenzie.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Datatag Qualifying:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 1m:33.758s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.399s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.450s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.520s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.657s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.812s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.862s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +1.359s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +2.111s

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) Pole position “To be fair I have always felt good around Oulton Park and the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki works well here. I said to the boys I felt good, so I got myself in some clear space and then the times just seemed to come. I pushed in the area which was slightly damp, but could see it was dry enough to have a go and I was so happy with that.

“We went out the second time and the my crew chief Glen said go and ride around and see what everyone else is doing and everyone went out and I just hung off the back again. I didn’t try to start with and then I did the fast lap, but I can’t thank the team enough as they put it all together I just pull the throttle back!

“It is tomorrow that counts so hopefully we can have two good races. I am not thinking about Leon to be honest; it is his to lose and I am just focusing on what I need to do.”

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Jake Dixon unstoppable in free practice as Showdown kicks off at Oulton Park

Jake Dixon got his Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown campaign off to a flying start at Oulton Park today (Friday), topping the free practice times in both dry and wet conditions to keep the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team at the top of the board.

Dixon trails championship leader Leon Haslam ahead of this weekend, but the opening free practice session was initially led by Peter Hickman as the Smiths Racing BMW rider aims to kick his Showdown off in the best possible way this weekend after a tough round at Silverstone last time out.

However Dixon then went to the top before he was then displaced by Kawasaki rival Luke Mossey in the closing stages. Dixon wasn’t going to settle though and on his final run of the session he moved ahead again, with Haslam also moving up the order to second, with 0.381s between the top two at the chequered flag.

Danny Buchan had a strong performance to hold third place in the closing stages for the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki team after narrowly missing out on the Showdown with Josh Brookes maintaining a place in the top five for McAMS Yamaha.

Hickman dropped to sixth in the closing stages, ahead of Mossey and Jason O’Halloran, who had been running inside the top five earlier in the session with James Ellison and Bradley Ray completing the top ten.

Final Showdown contender Glenn Irwin missed out on a place in the top ten in 14th place, whilst brother Andrew crashed out unhurt at Water Tower.

The second free practice session took place in wet conditions ahead of Datatag Qualifying tomorrow and Tommy Bridewell had set the initial benchmark in the session onboard the Moto Rapido Ducati but following a red flag interruption for conditions, and when the riders then returned to the track the times began to tumble.

Dixon was the first to take advantage of the improving conditions to set the pace for the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team, but Bridewell was soon back on top. The pair traded positions at the top of the times but it was Showdown contender Dixon who had an impressive 1.301s advantage at the chequered flag.

As the conditions improved, the pack continued to shuffle and O’Halloran surged into second in the closing stages, whilst Cooper also proved his pace in both wet and dry conditions to maintain a position inside the top five for Buildbase Suzuki.

Ellison set the fourth fastest time with a final run of improvements to push himself up the order for the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha team with Michael Laverty making the top five cut in the final minutes of the session.

Bridewell held sixth place at the chequered flag ahead of Showdown contender Brookes and championship leader Haslam with Andrew Irwin and Mossey completing the top ten. The JG Speedfit Kawasaki improvements nudged Ray back into eleventh after he had earlier run in the top five.

Showdown contenders Hickman and Glenn Irwin held 16th and 17th place respectively.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Free Practice 1:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 1m:34.737s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.381s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.486s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.529s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.606s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.645s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.762s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +0.783s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.911s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.914s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Free Practice 2:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 1m:48.099s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.301s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +1.440s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 1.509s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +1.609s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +1.659s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +1.754s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.760s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +1.827s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.835s

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) Fastest in free practice 1 and 2 “I have been happy with our pace in both conditions today. I wanted to get out there and be consistent in the wet as well as the dry as we don’t know what the next few days will bring.

“We still have areas we need to work on and we will focus on improving those tomorrow, but I am feeling happy with how both sessions have gone for us today.

“It has been good today. It nice to be fastest but the time to be fastest is on Sunday. I feel good in all conditions now so whatever the weather throws at us I think we will be competitive.

“Hopefully we get some luck; or you make your own luck. We just need to keep the ball rolling and go into this Showdown and have some fun, because at the end of the day if you are having fun then you are fast and I had fun today.”

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Leon Haslam crowned 'King of the Mountain' despite Dixon and Ray fight back at Cadwell Park

Leon Haslam was crowned the Monster Energy King of the Mountain at Cadwell Park this afternoon after he celebrated a double race win at the Lincolnshire circuit despite the attack from Jake Dixon and a resurgent Bradley Ray in the two races. The performances have seen both Haslam and Dixon become the first riders to have their places confirmed in the Showdown ahead of the top six decider at Silverstone.

In the opening race of the day at the challenging Lincolnshire circuit, Haslam held off the challenge from Ray to cross the finish line ahead by just 0.117s with Dixon snatching a podium finish on the final lap.

At the start of the race Haslam had grabbed the initial lead at the start of the race from Ray and Dixon with Glenn Irwin and Danny Buchan tucked in behind and it wasn’t until the third lap that the Buildbase Suzuki rider could make a move to hit the front of the pack.

Ray was then leading Haslam and Buchan who was bidding to make a move, but the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider made a costly mistake at the bottom of the Mountain on the third lap to crash out of contention unhurt and drop him outside of the top six in the standings.

Ray was still leading the pack when the BMW Safety Car was deployed when Chrissy Rouse crashed through Hall Bends and when the race resumed he headed the pack from Haslam, Glenn Irwin, Tommy Bridewell, Dixon and Christian Iddon.

Dixon was on a charge and he made a move on Bridewell to move into fourth with Iddon also following in his wheel tracks as the Moto Rapido Ducati rider edged wide. Ray held the advantage at the front until lap 14 when Haslam gunned the JG Speedfit Kawasaki ahead at Park, but he went wide and Ray reclaimed the position.

Two laps later and Haslam repeated the move and made it stick and then was defending hard until the finish to continue his winning form at the Lincolnshire circuit with Ray returning to the podium for the first time since Brands Hatch.

Dixon though was desperate to make a podium and after some moments where he ran wide and saved it, he was stalking Glenn Irwin throughout the final lap and made a decisive move into Barn on the final lap to snatch the final podium position.

Glenn Irwin was forced to settle for fourth place ahead of Bridewell who improved on his best result with the Moto Rapido Ducati team in fifth ahead of Iddon and Peter Hickman. Tarran Mackenzie led the McAMS Yamaha team in eighth ahead of James Ellison and Josh Brookes.

However in race two the rivalry continued between the leading trio with the fight for the podium places going down to the wire on the final lap.

Ray had got the holeshot off the line from Haslam, Dixon and Glenn Irwin on the opening lap with Hickman and Brookes giving chase, but Bridewell was making moves to fight through the pack and he was soon up to fifth.

Bridewell then made a move on Glenn Irwin on the brakes at Park and that put him into fourth but the Moto Rapido Ducati had his progression curtailed when he crashed out unhurt at Barn on lap six. Tarran Mackenzie was another rider to end his race prematurely when he slid out at Charlies four laps later.

At the front Ray was holding off Haslam as the pair were too close to call, but the championship leader was hunting and he moved into the lead on lap 12 with a move down the inside on the brakes at Park. At the same time Dixon was able to take advantage too which pushed Ray back into third as the leading trio had edged ahead.

A lap later and Dixon grabbed the lead from Haslam, but on the penultimate lap the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider went for the counter attack and he regained the lead at Park. Dixon was then piling on the pressure and he went for a similar move on the final lap but it cost him as he dramatically ran off track and onto the grass before rejoining allowing Ray to grab second.

Haslam crossed the line with a 5.091s lead after Dixon’s error with Ray claiming second and Dixon third with Hickman maintaining his position in the top six in the standings with a strong fourth place on the Smiths Racing BMW, holding off Glenn Irwin.

Iddon and Laverty held sixth and seventh place respectively for the Tyco BMW team with Buchan keeping his Showdown hopes alive with an eighth place ahead of Richard Cooper and Luke Mossey, pushing Jason O’Halloran just outside the top ten.

Brookes had been running inside the top six on the leading McAMS Yamaha but the 20215 champion was forced to retire with a technical problem.

The Championship now looks ahead to Silverstone, where the six Title Fighters will be decided ahead of the final three-round Showdown to fight for the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, Race one result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.117s

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.890s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +1.013s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +1.247s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +5.985s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +6.168s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +6.715s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +6.934s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +7.567s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Cadwell Park, Race two result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +5.091s

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +7.197s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +8.383s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +8.878s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +9.681s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +11.750s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +11.900s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +19.582s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +19.766s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Cadwell Park:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 330

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 230

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 187

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 174

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 159

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 126

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Cadwell Park double race winner “I wouldn’t say today has been easy! Honestly we was really struggling to make the pass on Brad in the first race. I felt I had thepace and I could drop back and catch him comfortably on each lap, but to make the pass was another story. I had an engine blip on me again like I had at Oulton and it was giving me that thing that I was going to hit him or I had to lunge through, so I had to lunge through – a little bit last minute but I felt super-happy.

“I knew the attack was coming in the second race, it was one of them! I felt really comfortable when I was behind Jake but when I was in front it was hard to push.

“When you’re in front you set yourself up for a manoeuvre that way and I kind-of thought I’d timed it right and I got a really bad run on that last lap going onto the straight and I knew he was going to have a go. I tried to squeeze him and go as late as I could and luckily it worked out in my favour. It was a really good battle and I’m over the moon so thanks to the JG Speedfit Kawasaki team.”

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The battle is on to be crowned the King of Brands as Bennetts BSB hits Kent

It’s coming home! The Bennetts British Superbike Championship returns to Kent for the annual summer bash at Brands Hatch this weekend (July 20/21/22) with local contenders Bradley Ray and Jake Dixon hunting home glory as the battle to be inside the all-important top six intensifies.

Dixon became the fourth different race winner of the season last time out at Knockhill and came tantalisingly close to making it a double celebration, but a huge moment saw the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider wrestle the bike back into line to finish second to standings leader Leon Haslam.

JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Haslam heads the standings as he arrives back at the Grand Prix circuit, the scene of his crushing title defeat last year. But he’s focused on putting that firmly behind him as he bids to hold off his closing rivals.

Ashford’s Bradley Ray is third in the title stakes after Dixon edged ahead at Knockhill, but the Donington Park double race winner knows that he needs to fire the Buildbase Suzuki to the front of the field with a home crowd eagerly watching his every move.

Glenn Irwin heads the Be Wiser Ducati charge and he is pushing for his first victory of the season at a circuit that has been strong for the team in the past with Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who remains sidelined through injury.

Essex contender Danny Buchan surged up the order last time out and, after a double podium finish, the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider now holds the final place inside the top six with McAMS Yamaha’s Josh Brookes just nudged into seventh. The Australian, who was crowned the champion in 2015, will be pushing for his first win of the season at the round celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Yamaha R1.

The Tyco BMW teammates arrive at Brands Hatch equal on points, with Michael Laverty looking to repeat his podium finish from earlier in the season at the Kent circuit as Christian Iddon bids for his first top three finish of his 2018 campaign.

Meanwhile Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran and Dan Linfoot will be keen to put their recent injuries behind them, whilst Peter Hickman and James Ellison will also be pushing to leap up the order after this weekend.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 210

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 136

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 112

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 105

Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 98

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 95

The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship take place at Brands Hatch on July 20/21/22. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki) “I am just taking each race as it comes but I know when we get it right, we can win – we saw that at Knockhill. It was great to win but at the same time I felt like it should have been the double; it was my mistake that cost us the win in race two. The bike is at the best place it has been this season and the team have done a fantastic job to get us to this point.

“We have a few improvements for Brands Hatch and the aim is obviously to bang in some more podiums. I am going into the weekend with an open mind and I love the Grand Prix circuit; I have had a lot of success there in the support classes so I am looking for my first Superbike podium there this weekend that’s for sure!

“I think we showed at Knockhill that we can win races and be ahead of Leon; I feel in a good place ready for the next two races but the main thing is to keep getting the Podium Points so that we get into the Showdown again and are ready to fight for the title.”

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Jake Dixon does it again to share wins with Haslam at Knockhill

It was one all in Scotland today as Jake Dixon became the fourth different race winner in the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship with a stunning victory in the opening race of the day at Knockhill before Leon Haslam claimed the victory in the race two.

In the opening race Dixon launched into the lead, forcing his way ahead of Leon Haslam, Glenn Irwin, Josh Brookes and Buchan, but the championship leader was instantly on the attack and he made a move at the Hairpin.

The leading five – Haslam, Dixon, Irwin, Buchan and Bradley Ray edged ahead, but Dixon was looking for his opportunity. Buchan though had other ideas and he targeted a move on Dixon at the Hairpin but it wasn’t enough and he had to tuck back behind the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki.

Dixon was pushing Haslam and the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider made a mistake at the Hairpin which put him slightly wide and Dixon didn’t need an invitation as he carved his way ahead on a tighter line.

Buchan also had Haslam in his sights and the pair almost collided on the exit of the Hairpin as the pair dragged up the hill to the line, with the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki rider then holding the advantage to push the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider back into third place.

However Haslam was post race promoted to second ahead of Buchan who received a one position penalty for an undertake under the yellow flags between turn two and three.

Irwin held off Ray on the leading Be Wiser Ducati with the Tyco BMW pairing of Michael Laverty and Christian Iddon fighting all the way through the race but Laverty had the advantage at the finish line.

In race two Haslam returned to the top, hitting the lead when race one winner Dixon had a huge moment, which he then fought to come back from in the closing stages of the race.

Dixon led the pack on the opening lap from Buchan, Ray, Haslam and Glenn Irwin, but soon Ray had pushed his Buildbase Suzuki into second place and was ready to fight for the lead.

Haslam had meanwhile moved up to third by lap four with a move on Buchan into the Hairpin and then he had Ray in his sights. However Ray was soon to come under fire and Haslam made his move with Buchan also making a pass to push the Buildbase Suzuki rider back two places in a single lap.

The Buildbase Suzuki star was later forced to retire into pitlane with a technical problem, shortly after Brookes had also been sidelined on the McAMS Yamaha, putting him out of a potential top six finish.

At the front Dixon and Haslam were duelling for supremacy, trading blows with three moves within as many corners, but a huge moment cost Dixon; he dropped back behind the JG Speedfit Kawasaki and then tried everything possible to regain the ground over the closing laps.

Haslam held the advantage to the finish line ahead of Dixon by 0.215s with Buchan celebrating a double podium finish, after securing the team’s first in the opening race, when he crossed the line in third place on the FS-3 Racing Kawasaki just ahead of Glenn Irwin.

The Tyco BMW battle continued into the second race with Laverty again finishing ahead of Iddon at the chequered flag with Richard Cooper holding off the challenges of Andrew Irwin for seventh place.

James Ellison and Peter Hickman completed the top ten as the championship focus now moves to Brands Hatch for the next round of the season.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, Race one:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.917s

Danny Buchan* (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki)

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +2.779s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +4.421s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +6.903s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +7.501s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +7.611s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +9.304s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +14.458s

* #81 – 1 position penalty – overtaking #91 under yellow flag between T2 & T3

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, race two:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.215s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +1.891s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +5.228s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +9.183s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +9.623s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.216s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +10.523s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +16.356s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +17.859s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Knockhill:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 210

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 136

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 112

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 105

Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 98

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 95

The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship take place at Brands Hatch on July 20/21/22. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki) Race one winner “I am over the moon to have won today. I need to thank the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team, this has been coming for a while now and it feels extra sweet to do it again at Knockhill.

“Leon got away and then Danny Buchan showed me his front wheel and I thought it was time to get my head down. I bridged the gap back and then applied the pressure and he made a mistake so I cut down the inside and got my head down.

“Race two was a frustrating end to the race because I honestly thought I was going to be kissing the tarmac! It wasn’t great and I will have to change my underwear!

“I had to bridge a gap again to Leon which I did, but it was just a little too late and maybe if I had another lap it could have been a different story. We can try again at Brands Hatch that’s for sure!”

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Race two winner “I’m happy with the result in both races this weekend. We had a few problems in race one with some back-shift issues, which I believe cost us the win. We were still struggling a bit in race two but it was a really good battle so I’m really pleased to have taken another win.

“The team did a great job all weekend once again, we’ve extended our lead in the championship and I can’t wait to get to Brands.

“I’m heading straight to Suzuka now for testing before the main Suzuka race at the end of July.”

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Jake Dixon does the double to start Showdown in style at Oulton Park

Jake Dixon kicked off the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown in style by celebrating a double victory at Oulton Park today (Sunday), taking a 14 point chunk out of Leon Haslam’s lead in the standings after mastering all conditions on the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki.

The Superbike race action began with drama on the grid in the opening race for Be Wiser Ducati contender Glenn Irwin as a problem on the grid meant a delayed start and he was forced to start from the back of the grid. He was in good company though as standings leader Haslam was also on the back row after his problem in qualifying yesterday.

As the race got underway Tommy Bridewell launched himself into the lead on the Moto Rapido Ducati ahead of Dixon and Bradley Ray in the wet conditions, but by the end of the opening lap Jason O’Halloran had pushed his way into third ahead of Buildbase Suzuki’s Showdown contender.

At the front Bridewell was holding the advantage despite the pressure from Dixon, but on lap eight he made a move on the inside into Old Hall to take the lead. Bridewell had attempted a strike back but Dixon was determined and he held him off to the finish as Moto Rapido Ducati and Bridewell celebrated their first podium finish of the season – the 14th different rider to feature in the top three this year.

Haslam though had been carving through the pack and by the end of the opening lap he was already up to 13th and two laps later he was fighting his way into the top ten.

Josh Brookes’ Showdown started with a disaster as he crashed out unhurt at Knickerbrook on the sixth lap with Luke Mossey also sliding out of contention five laps later at Shell on the second JG Speedfit Kawasaki.

Ray was then another Showdown rider to drop down the order when he had a moment at Lodge on the eighth lap and he was forced to run on and rejoin in tenth place on the Buildbase Suzuki.

At the front Dixon and Bridewell had the advantage but O’Halloran was soon under fire for the final podium place as Haslam and Andrew Irwin were in close contention.

With two laps remaining Haslam made his move on his Honda Racing rival to move into a podium position, but O’Halloran was pushed further back on the final lap when both Andrew Irwin and Michael Laverty moved ahead.

Tarran Mackenzie claimed seventh place for McAMS Yamaha ahead of Peter Hickman, James Ellison and Dan Linfoot with Showdown contenders Ray and Glenn Irwin in eleventh and twelfth.

After a victory in race one Dixon grabbed the lead on the opening lap to lead O’Halloran, Laverty and Haslam at the start, but Bridewell was on the attack again and by the end of lap one he had moved into fourth with a move at Shell.

Laverty was showing promise on the Tyco BMW until he crashed out at Cascades on the fifth lap, ending his hunt for another top five finish.

At the front Dixon was edging ahead But Haslam was in close contention and he moved into second with a dive down the inside of O’Halloran at Lodge on the seventh lap as his RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rival then became his target.

Honda Racing’s O’Halloran was then under attack from Bridewell and the Moto Rapido Ducati rider made a decisive pass at Shell, meanwhile Mackenzie was also making moves and leapt into fifth ahead of Mossey.

Ray was fighting for a top ten position on the Buildbase Suzuki but a crash at Old Hall on lap 12 ended his hopes of closing down in the points and he will head to Assen fifth in the standings. A lap later and O’Halloran slipped off in similar style to end his run for Honda Racing prematurely.

Dixon’s lead at the front was being closed down but Haslam couldn’t quite get within striking distance despite a sensational attempt to reel his rival back in over the closing stages of the race.

Bridewell and Moto Rapido Ducati celebrated a double podium finish ahead of Mackenzie and team-mate Brookes who recovered from his race one crash to claim fifth place ahead of Glenn Irwin and Mossey.

Hickman, Andrew Irwin and Ellison completed the top ten, with Brookes now holding equal third on points with Glenn Irwin and six points separating them from Ray and Hickman just four points adrift.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 1 result:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +6.142s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +16.677s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +18.564s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +19.513s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +19.727s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +33.594s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +38.799s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +40.629s

Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +45.312s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.129s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +3.586s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +6.301s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +6.404s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +6.441s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +8.142s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +20.846s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +22.052s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +22.1556s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 604

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 573

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 530

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 530

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 524

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 520

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) Double race winner “What an awesome weekend by having pole, the fastest ever lap round Oulton Park and two fantastic wins.

“It’s been some weekend and I am absolutely buzzing. I can’t thank my team enough as they have provided me a bike that in every condition has just been awesome – it’s been so good all weekend, we’ve been working at it and it just seems to be getting better and better and I just can’t wait for Assen.

“I’m actually lost for words. We still have got a little bit of work to do but I’m so happy with two wins and just want to say a massive thank you to the team, and well done to Leon and Tommy. They’ve rode fantastic all weekend, it’s been really tricky conditions and it was quite easy to get caught out this weekend.”

British Superbike

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Haslam versus Dixon - Brands Hatch braced for the final Showdown of 2018

Three races will decide the destiny of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this weekend (October 12/13/14) on the Grand Prix circuit as Leon Haslam bids to secure his first title victory against Jake Dixon.

2018 has seen five different race winners and a further nine riders have claimed podium finishes, but the attention now turns to Haslam and Dixon in the final battle for honours this weekend.

Haslam returns to the Kent circuit fired up as he bids to finally claim the British crown for the JG Speedfit Kawasaki; the ‘Pocket Rocket’ narrowly missed out last season in a crushing final round crash which ended in defeat, but this time around he arrives with a 61-point advantage ahead of the triple-header decider.

His nearest rival Jake Dixon took a blow to his title aspirations last time out at Assen when he was forced to retire from the dramatic second race with a technical problem for his RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki. The Dover-born contender though will not be giving up without a fight at his home round of the season ahead of his move to the Moto2 World Championship in 2019.

As the leading pair have the edge over the chasing pack, the battle for third in the standings will go down to the wire between 2015 champion Josh Brookes and Glenn Irwin. Brookes sealed the double win on the Grand Prix circuit back in July and holds a narrow three-point advantage over Irwin, who in turn has a five-point lead over Peter Hickman.

Local contender Bradley Ray will be aiming to end his season on a high this weekend and outside of the Showdown Six, Jason O’Halloran leads the charge for the Rider’s Cup trophy for Honda Racing with five points separating him from rookie Tarran Mackenzie. Christian Iddon, Danny Buchan and Tommy Bridewell are also in contention for the trophy with a maximum of 75 points up for the taking this weekend.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 654

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 593

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 557

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 554

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 549

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 533

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Current position: 1st “I am looking forward to Brands Hatch and I honestly can’t wait now. I feel like we need to wrap it up and we are in a good position with the lead that we have, but I have a lot of objectives for the weekend.

“The main one is obviously to win this championship, but the other is that I have never won on a Kawasaki at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit. My first aim is to win the first or all three and then hopefully celebrate my first BSB title.”

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) Current position: 2nd “As a team we have had an unbelievable season but there are still three races to be won this weekend at Brands Hatch. That’s my focus going into the final round and I’m going to give it everything I have to end the season in the best way we possibly can.

“I am really looking forward to the weekend, Brands Hatch is my home round and we have three races to go, but I’m really determined as always to do the best job we can and I want to go out on a high before moving on to Moto2 next year.”

British Superbike

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Dutch drama: Haslam's double delight but Dixon out of race two!

The rollercoaster in the fight for the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title race continued at Assen as Leon Haslam doubled up on victories but it was disaster for closest rival Jake Dixon as a technical problem put him out of race two ahead of the title decider at Brands Hatch (October 12/13/14).

Haslam and Dixon locked horns in the opening race at Assen as Dixon had initially launched into the lead onboard the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki but Tarran Mackenzie was on a mission to hit the front, which he did with a move up the inside on the opening lap with Haslam in third.

As Mackenzie held the lead, Peter Hickman moved into fourth with a move on Christian Iddon into the chicane at the end of lap one. The leading four later edged out a breakaway charge with Hickman then forging ahead of Dixon on lap four, but the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki instantly shoved back ahead.

Haslam wasn’t going to settle though and he waited a lap later to make a decisive move on Hickman into the final chicane to move into third with Mackenzie and Dixon ahead of him. The leading pair in the title standings were then inseparable with Haslam gaining the position on lap ten to put his main rival back into third.

Haslam hit the front of the pack with three laps remaining as he fired the JG Speedfit Kawasaki ahead of Mackenzie, but the McAMS Yamaha rookie wasn’t settling for that and made a hard move back into the lead. The championship leader was then back ahead as the pack hit the final chicane.

Haslam then held off Dixon, who had moved into second on the penultimate lap but despite his best efforts he was unable to stop the hard-charging JG Speedfit Kawasaki ahead of him as the ‘Pocket Rocket’ claimed his first victory of the Showdown.

Mackenzie held onto fourth despite an attack from Hickman in the closing stages on the Smiths Racing BMW with Glenn Irwin holding an isolated fifth place ahead of an impressive Tommy Bridewell after his huge crash yesterday.

Bridewell had got the better of the Jason O’Halloran and Iddon in the closing stages with Showdown contender Josh Brookes climbing from twelfth to ninth with James Ellison completing the top ten for Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha.

There was an incident-packed start to the second race with Michael Laverty crashing before completing half a lap but at the front Peter Hickman had snatched the advantage from Dixon and Richard Cooper.

However before the pack crossed the line for the first time there was a huge crash for Dan Linfoot as he clipped the rear tyre of Haslam and the Honda Racing rider crashed out, taking Tommy Bridewell with him.

The BMW Safety Car was deployed and as the race was about to resume Tarran Mackenzie had a moment coming out of the final chicane which he couldn’t save and the McAMS Yamaha rider crashed out of contention.

At the front Brookes was pushing and he made a move on Cooper to move into third with Haslam also doing the same a lap later, but there was drama for Dixon as the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider was forced to retire with a technical problem on lap 10.

At the front Hickman was pushing to hold on but Brookes charged into the lead on lap 11, but Haslam was on the hunt and piling on the pressure after moving into second place two laps later with an inch-perfect move into the final chicane on Hickman.

Haslam had Brookes as his target and with three laps to go he made his move; he fired the JG Speedfit Kawasaki down the inside into turn one and despite his Australian rival’s best attempts he held him off to the chequered flag with Hickman in third.

An epic battle for fourth was won by Glenn Irwin on the Be Wiser Ducati after he had regained ground after early evasive action to keep Cooper in fifth and his brother Andrew in sixth. Bradley Ray was able to salvage seventh place ahead of Ellison with Danny Buchan and Iddon completing the top ten.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Race one result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.086s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +1.679s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +2.059s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +6.333s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +8.130s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +8.746s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +9.101s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +11.020s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +11.415s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Assen, Race two result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.138s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +0.946s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +8.184s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.555s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +10.663s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +11.306s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +11.490s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +18.334s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +23.521s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship ahead of the Brands Hatch finale:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 654

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 593

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 557

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 554

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 549

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 533

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Double race winner “Honestly it has been a good weekend for us. Assen for me is one of the most historic circuits that you go to in the world and to come here with the British Championship is fantastic, so to come away with a double win and an extended lead in the Championship, but not only that my 14th win, is a big big credit to the team.

“The team has been awesome this year and big big thanks to Kawasaki and JG Speedfit.

“I feel good now ahead of the final round and I feel confident, it’s not over yet but it is definitely a lot better than it was coming in to this weekend and I am feeling good with the bike, with the team and I want to just enjoy it.

“We have three race at Brands Hatch, I love Brands Hatch and it is the one circuit that I haven’t won at with the Kawasaki so I am going to be all out to try and get on that top to end the season on a high.”

British Superbike

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Silverstone serves up spectacular Showdown Six decider

Silverstone produced a sensational Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown Six decider as Leon Haslam held off his McAMS Yamaha rivals Josh Brookes and rookie Tarran Mackenzie to make it a hat trick of wins whilst Peter Hickman incredibly held on to the final Title Fighter position by just four points.

In the second race of the weekend Haslam overcame the pressure from his title rivals to win after a dramatic final lap, despite a clash with Bradley Ray who secured his place in the Showdown with one race to decide the final Title Fighter.

At the start of race two Ray got off to a lightning start on the Buildbase Suzuki ahead of Jake Dixon and Mackenzie with Haslam and Brookes next in line.

By lap seven the lead had changed as Mackenzie again hit the front of the field at Copse as he aimed to add to his debut podium finish yesterday. Ray then was under fire from Dixon and he made a move into second, pushing the Buildbase Suzuki rider to third and in striking distance for Haslam.

A lap later and as Haslam went for a move on Ray the pair collided, sending Ray completely off line, rejoining in eighth and the championship leader was issued a drop of position penalty for the incident.

Dixon had pushed his way through to the lead with a move on Mackenzie at Brooklands and the leading quartet then duelled for the position as Dixon led Mackenzie, Haslam and Brookes.

Haslam was instantly back on the attack after completing his penalty and he recaptured the lead, but there was drama for Hickman as the Smiths Racing BMW rider was sidelined with just three laps to go with a technical problem.

Hickman’s retirement closed up the battle for the final place in the Showdown with eight points to Danny Buchan, who ended race two in 12th and eleven points to Christian Iddon who heroically finished in fifth despite his collarbone fracture.

The battle for the win was going down to the wire on the final lap but Dixon and Mackenzie both crashed out at Brooklands, handing the podium positions to Brookes and Glenn Irwin.

Jason O’Halloran secured a fourth place for Honda Racing but he crashed after crossing the line ahead of Iddon and Tommy Bridewell on the Moto Rapido Ducati. Gino Rea held seventh place for OMG Suzuki with Luke Mossey, Andrew Irwin and Richard Cooper completing the top ten.

In the final race all eyes were on the riders battling for the final Showdown spot and at the start O’Halloran fired himself into the lead of the race, which gave him a chance of making the cut for Honda Racing, holding off Haslam and Dixon behind him initially.

There was high drama for the Smiths Racing BMW team as Hickman encountered a technical problem on the sighting lap and was forced to start the race from pitlane.

The race was red flagged on the second lap though when Luke Mossey crashed out at Copse, he was later able to walk away from the incident, before the race was restarted shortly afterwards.

Again O’Halloran got the jump off the line ahead of Haslam and Australian rival Brookes with Mackenzie also in the pack. Remarkably Iddon was holding fourth on the Tyco BMW as he fought back from injury in a determined bid to make the Showdown.

At the front Brookes captured the lead on lap five which put O’Halloran back out of Showdown contention and Iddon back in the Showdown game as Hickman held a position outside the top ten.

As O’Halloran dropped back to fifth it dashed his top six hopes despite his ambition to still make the cut despite his mid-season injury, but Hickman was soon back in contention as he climbed inside the top ten and Iddon ran on at Brooklands on the eleventh lap.

Brookes was holding the lead from Haslam and Mackenzie until lap 19 when Haslam made his move; diving down the inside at Copse and the pair were inseparable!

Haslam’s lead didn’t last long though as Mackenzie hit the front for McAMS Yamaha on lap 21 as Brookes dropped back to sixth. The fight for the win went down to the wire though as Mackenzie held the lead on the penultimate lap, but Haslam was back ahead at Brooklands.

The Championship leader held the position to the line to win race three, but only just from Mackenzie, with Dixon adding to his Podium Points in third as Glenn Irwin just missed out on a podium finish in fourth.

O’Halloran held onto fifth ahead of Brookes with Cooper and Bridewell adding another top ten to their tally this weekend.

Iddon meanwhile held on to tenth place to miss out by just five points on a Showdown position with Hickman still suffering with a problem which put him 19th but still the final rider in the standings top six.

The Showdown kicks off next weekend at Oulton Park featuring one previous champion (Brookes), two Showdown debutants (Ray and Irwin), five different manufacturers (Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Ducati and BMW) from six different teams (JG Speedfit Kawasaki, RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki, McAMS Yamaha, Buildbase Suzuki, Be Wiser Ducati and Smiths Racing BMW).

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 2 result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +1.472s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +1.863s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +2.694s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +4.988s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +7.467s

Gino Rea (OMG Suzuki) +7.607s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +7.610s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +12.695s

Richard Copper (Buildbase Suzuki) +12.817s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Silverstone, Race 3 result:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.075s

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) +0.274s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.822s

Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +1.495s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +1.630s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +3.700s

Richard Cooper (Buildbase Suzuki) +10.649s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +10.777s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +11.228

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings ahead of the Showdown:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 568

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 523

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 519

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 519

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 516

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 504

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) Triple race winner “It was an unbelievable weekend, it started pretty badly with a huge crash on Friday but turned around really well with three wins.

“We secured another 15 Podium Points which is important, but we had some great battles this weekend with so many riders in all three races. The races were fun and I really enjoyed it.

“I’m looking forward to Oulton Park next week as we’ve had some good results there in the past and the final three races of the year are the most important.”

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) Final Title Fighter in the Showdown “It’s been a dramatic weekend that’s for sure so to make it into the Showdown for the second year running and again as the only BMW rider to do so feels fantastic.

“We improved the bike all weekend and eighth place in Saturday’s race gave me a little bit of breathing space over my main Showdown rivals which ultimately proved vital.

“Today started well with second place in morning warm-up but after that it was a nerve-wracking affair as firstly the oil pressure sensor and then the broken gear lever left me pointless.

“I had an idea in my head what the other riders needed to do and, thankfully, that little bit of luck came our way this weekend.”

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Jake Dixon scores! Pole position and fastest lap of Knockhill for 2017 double race winner

Jake Dixon scored his first pole position of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Knockhill this afternoon (Sunday), launching the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki to the top of the times with the fastest ever lap of the Scottish circuit.

The fight for pole position started with Josh Brookes leading the way after Q2 as the lap times continued to tumble in an incredibly fast qualifying session. Christian Iddon was one of the first riders to post a time which put him briefly at the top of the times before last year’s double race winner Dixon charged to the top.

Dixon’s rivals were pushing to edge the advantage but with 0.5s covering all nine riders in Datatag Q3 it was the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rider who emerged ahead to celebrate his second front row start of the season.

Brookes was hard-charging his way up the order and he soon set a lap to put him to within 0.098s of Dixon to secure his second consecutive front row start as he bids to fight back in the two races tomorrow after narrowly missing out on the victory at Snetterton.

Glenn Irwin had set the pace in free practice three but the Be Wiser Ducati rider will start tomorrow’s opening race from the second row, just ahead of Danny Buchan who held off Michael Laverty onboard the Tyco BMW.

Bradley Ray will start race one from seventh on the grid, missing out on the row two by just 0.003s on the Buildbase Suzuki with Christian Iddon and Dan Linfoot completing the top nine riders who qualified for Q3.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, Datatag Qualifying:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 47.158s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +0.098s

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.184s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.223s

Danny Buchan (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) +0.272s

Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) +0.386s

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +0.389s

Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.437s

Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +0.564s

The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship take place at Knockhill on July 6/7/8. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular and Reserves Kawasaki) Knockhill pole position “I come to every round wanting to win races and I feel that we have just been lacking in one area which we have improved this weekend. I hope that can translate into the race because we have done our homework during free practice.

“I feel that I have really good pace; in Q1 and Q2 I didn’t feel as confident because we made a change, but then we reverted back to what we had done in free practice three and instantly went quicker. I am really happy and I can’t thank the team enough so I want to repay them by fighting for the wins.”