There’s a sensational title battle developing in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship, with three riders separated by just four points heading into the first of this year’s two visits to Donington Park on 19-21 May.
BeerMonster Ducati’s Glenn Irwin holds the early advantage at the top of the pile, having won at Silverstone and Oulton Park so far. In fact, across the six races held in 2023, the Northern Irishman has only failed to finish on the podium once.
Revitalised double champion Josh Brookes is back to his best on board the FHO Racing BMW, having also won at both Silverstone and Oulton Park, with just one fewer podium compared to Irwin being the difference between the two in the standings.
Irwin’s teammate Tommy Bridewell is level on points with Brookes, being the third rider to have taken a win at Oulton Park, and also claimed three podiums during the Silverstone season opener. Bridewell gets closer to the title with each season, and his Ducati is perhaps the most potent machine he’s yet ridden.
Irwin, Brookes and Bridewell are all in contention for a big cash prize too; should either of them win all three races in the East Midlands, they’ll scoop £10,000 as part of the Milwaukee Spring Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Donington local and former champion Leon Haslam is also looking threatening with the new for 2023 ROKiT BMW Motorrad Team. He took a trio of sixth place finishes at Silverstone, and then three podiums at Oulton Park, the Smalley rider missing out on two wins by the tiniest of margins!
Another local man, Mansfield’s Kyle Ryde is another rider likely to be in the mix with LAMI OMG Racing Yamaha, having won the season opener at Silverstone and topped the pre-season test at Donington Park back in March. Ryde was a Donington Park winner last season, and will hope to give his home fans more to celebrate next weekend.
Three epic Bennetts BSB races will thrill at the event, starting with the BikeSocial Sprint on Saturday and two full-length encounters on Sunday. Fans will also be able to meet the stars of the show on the free of charge eBay Pit Walk during the Sunday lunch break.
If that wasn’t enough, a packed support package of races will ensure wall-to-wall action across the three days, with series in action including the Quattro Group British Supersport/GP2, Pirelli National Supersport and National Junior Superstock, R&G British Talent Cup, HEL Performance Junior Supersport, and British Sidecars. Click here to view the full event schedule.
Fans can make a full weekend of it too, with limited camping spaces still available. Live music will entertain on Saturday evening in the Garage 39 restaurant, bar and café, with other activities placed around the venue in the most popular areas.
Discounted advance tickets are available for £15 on Friday, £24 on Saturday and £34 on Sunday, whilst weekend entry is £45. Reductions are available for 13-15-year-olds and under-13s go free all weekend. For more information and to book, click here.