DUCATI DOMINANCE!!! Oulton Park '23.
The penultimate rounds of this season's BSB Championship were held at Oulton Park in Cheshire, and it was quite a weekend for motorsports enthusiasts. The turnout was massive, with the whole paddock, teams, marshalls, and spectators coming together for a special moment on the starting grid. Former BSB lead commentator Fred Clarke led the moment of silence as everyone paid tribute to the late Paul Bird, with his family, friends, and colleagues observing a minute's silence followed by a round of applause.
Saturday's Ebay social print race was an exciting affair, with Peter Hickman taking the victory. He was closely followed by Charlie Nesbitt and Tom Neave, who secured the second and third spots on the podium, respectively. The stage was set for an intense battle on Sunday, and emotions were running high.
Glenn Irwin put on an incredible display on his PBM Ducati machine, winning both races on Sunday. It was a poignant weekend for the PBM team and the entire BSB community, as they were coping with the loss of their team owner and mentor, Paul Bird. Just two weeks prior, he had passed away after a brief illness. Irwin's exceptional performance was a fitting tribute to his late mentor.
The races were full of suspense, with Tommy Bridewell initially taking the lead but quickly being surpassed by Irwin at the final corner of lap two. Meanwhile, Kyle Ryde, Leon Haslam, and Lee Jackson were hot on their heels, showcasing their impressive skills and determination to secure a place on the podium. The Ducatis held a slight gap, but it soon closed as the competitors pushed harder.
In the end, Bridewell crossed the line ahead of Irwin, but a penalty dropped him to sixth place. Irwin seized the opportunity, claiming a second victory of the weekend for the BeerMonster Ducati team. Lee Jackson, with an extraordinary performance, secured second place, while Kyle Ryde finished third on the LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha. Leon Haslam, Josh Brookes, and Tommy Bridewell followed closely behind.
Christian Iddon, a member of the Oxford Products Racing Ducati team, claimed seventh place, with Jason O'Halloran, Ryan Vickers, and Peter Hickman completing the top ten. It was an intense race filled with drama, excitement, and superb showcases of talent.
With the conclusion of the Oulton Park rounds, the championship is reaching its climax. The battle for the title is heating up, with Tommy Bridewell and Glenn Irwin separated by just 0.5 points heading into the penultimate round at Donington Park. Motorsports fans are eagerly awaiting the event, as it promises to deliver exhilarating racing moments and further determine the destiny of the championship.
The final rounds of the BSB Championship will take place at Brands Hatch on the weekend of October 13th-15th. It is shaping up to be a thrilling conclusion to an action-packed season. As motorsports enthusiasts, we simply cannot wait to be there and cover all the action. The stakes are high, and every second counts as the riders compete for the ultimate glory.
Written by Alice Ingram
Images by Phil Baines Photographic
ARTICLE SPONSORED by RALLYSTORE EU