Tommy Bridewell celebrated an emotional 2023 Bennetts British Superbike Championship title in an incredible Showdown decider, finishing second behind BeerMonster Ducati teammate and title rival Glenn Irwin to take the crown by an unprecedented margin of just half a point.
Ryan Vickers got the strongest launch off the line to take the lead for LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha, but Omolgato pole-sitter and championship leader Bridewell was immediately on the attack. Bridewell first took a look at Surtees, aiming to make early progress whilst Irwin was further back down in sixth.
As it reached the second lap Kyle Ryde was on the move, diving ahead of his teammate Vickers before launching a bold attack on Bridewell to take the lead at Dingle Dell. Meanwhile, Irwin started to really move towards the front, climbing through to fourth to leave Vickers as the only rider between the two BeerMonster Ducati teammates.
Irwin began to size up his next move on lap four with an initial look up the inside of Vickers at Surtees and then again at Hawthorn. He was forced to wait until lap six though, when he eventually made a move stick at Hawthorn after an earlier bid at Druids.
As the pack rocketed onto their seventh lap, there was nothing to separate the two main title rivals, whilst Ryde continued to lead with nothing to lose. Irwin then made an incisive move on Bridewell at Surtees, and with the latter’s loss of momentum at the apex also allowing Vickers past, meaning virtual championship lead changed for the first time.
The momentum seemed to be with Irwin as the race sped towards its halfway point, as he began to apply the pressure on Ryde. He wasn’t able to make a move stick, meaning that Bridewell once again seized back the provisional series lead when he passed Vickers at Hawthorn on lap nine.
The championship picture changed once again on lap 11 when Irwin made the most of a strong run out of Surtees to pass Ryde at Hawthorn. The Yamaha attempted to make the most of its cornering ability to fight back straight away, but he was forced to settle into second as the leaders exited Stirlings, and this once again put Irwin in a position to potentially take the crown.
Bridewell refused to give up though, passing Ryde with a similar move at Hawthorn just two laps later. Ryde once again attempted to take the position back immediately but couldn't get ahead.
Over the tense laps that followed, Irwin seemed to have just enough speed to keep clear of those chasing, but Ryde seemed to be sizing up a move on Bridewell. Ryde’s attempts at Stirlings and Paddock Hill Bend amounted to nothing though as Bridewell continued to hold onto second and the championship lead as it stood on track.
With just four laps to go, the drama ramped up when Irwin made a slight error at Paddock Hill Bend which was enough bring Bridewell and Ryde back onto his rear wheel. Both riders attempted to make a pass stick under the braking at Druids as they ran three-wide and it was Ryde who emerged with the race lead, with Irwin just behind and Bridewell third.
Irwin briefly regained the lead and an effective championship advantage at Hawthorn before Ryde launched back past as Irwin ran slightly wide on the exit of Westfield. By the time they exited Dingle Dell and leaned into Sheene Curve, Ryde was at the front with Irwin and Bridewell right behind him.
The balance shifted again on the penultimate lap of the season when Irwin produced a rapid drive out of Surtees to pass Ryde at Hawthorn and once again move into the title seat. This left Bridewell needing to pass Ryde with just a lap and a half of the 2023 Bennetts BSB campaign left to run.
The decisive moment came at Druids on the final lap. Bridewell produced a strong run through Paddock Hill Bend to set up a run on Ryde into the tight right hand corner before outbraking him and holding the position as they fired down Graham Hill Bend for the final time.
By this point, Irwin had managed to build a bit of a gap which he held to the chequered flag. But with Bridewell’s second position was enough to take the title by the slimmest winning points margin in series history. Ryde followed the BeerMonster Ducatis home to take third and ensure that the top three riders in this year’s standings shared the final podium of the season.
After a strong start to the race, Vickers fell a bit further behind those ahead but fourth place was still a solid end to a year in which he became a Bennetts BSB race winner for the first time. Leon Haslam continued his consistent 2023 form to complete the top five.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati)
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) +0.372s
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +0.671s
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) +3.576s
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) +5.157s
- Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.583s
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +5.640s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) +7.366s
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +7.564s
- Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda by Hawk Racing) +16.599s
For the full race result please click here
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Standings
- Tommy Bridewell (BeerMonster Ducati) 455
- Glenn Irwin (BeerMonster Ducati) 454.5
- Kyle Ryde (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 422
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings Kawasaki) 376.5
- Leon Haslam (ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team) 369
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 365.5
- Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 340
- Ryan Vickers (LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha) 306
For the final 2023 standings please click here