Treble top for Evotech-supported Ray
Hat-trick hero Bradley Ray brought home another huge haul of silverware for the Raceways Yamaha team at Donington Park – and more success for Evotech.
Ray and the Raceways Yamaha squad are among a number of supported teams and riders tackling this year's British Superbike Championship and its support classes. And so far, the squad has proved to be the class of the field.
Arriving at the iconic Derbyshire track with the points lead, Ray was second quickest on Day One before clocking the best lap in Qualifying to secure pole. All that was left was three races – and the 2022 champion showed once again he is the man to beat this year after taking all three victories to go 12 points clear at the top of the points table.
But keeping a close eye on things from second in the points is Hager PBM Ducati’s Glenn Irwin.
Another one of our supported teams, PBM debuted a brand new Evotech seat unit at Donington Park which went some way towards helping Irwin power to a fourth, a third and a second place during the weekend, picking up a strong haul of points.
Snapping at Irwin’s heels in the championship is reigning champ Kyle Ryde, who also had a strong weekend aboard the OMG Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha. After a difficult opening round, Ryde certainly signalled his intentions as he bounced back with two second places at Donington Park and now sits eight points behind Irwin in third.
Donington Park also brought an exciting – but possibly not unexpected – best result for one of our newest supported teams, DAO Racing. The team has switched to Honda power this season after many years with Kawasaki and new rider Josh Brookes delivered the squad an incredible third place in Saturday’s race – the team’s first ever BSB podium.
Overall, it was a very successful round once again for our supported teams and it looks like we’re set for what could be one of the closest seasons to date.
Can Ray continue his winning streak and charge to title number two? Can Irwin keep close enough to keep Ray honest all the way to the Showdown or will Ryde come out fighting next round? It’s all to play for… but we’ll have to wait another month to find out when the series resumes at Snetterton on 20 June.