Brands Hatch: The final round
Tommy Bridewell and the Oxford Products Ducati Racing team could not have given any more this weekend and tried so hard to take the Bennetts British Superbike Championship to the final race of the season. Tommy was astounding at Brands Hatch securing three hard fought second places but also clinched an amazing second place in the British Championship standings.
The weather conditions were a bit mixed this weekend especially for qualifying on Saturday. Tommy rode really hard to gain fifth on the grid for the opening Superbike race. He got a strong start and he was eager to get towards the front quickly. Despite a few collisions with Christian Iddon he was able to stay on, set some super-fast lap times and he was battling Tarren (Mackenzie) for the win. He just was not able to get the better of him and finished second place just 0.16!
He was so quick in race one he was sitting on pole position for race two on Sunday. He got a great start and really battled hard, he was locked in a scrap with Tarren again and led the majority of the race, narrowly avoiding a big crash when Taz had a huge moment out the back of the circuit and Tommy hit his rear wheel! He re-grouped got his head down, got back in the lead and the two had a drag to the line with Taz taking the win and the Championship by 0.087!
Once again Tommy was quickest in the race and sat on pole position again for the final race of the 2021 season. He got a fantastic start and was soon battling up at the front again; he soon took the lead and spent the entire race once again fending off Tarren Mackenzie. Taz snuck underneath him pushing Tommy back to second position at the end of the race.
We are excited already for the 2022 season; we are very grateful to all our loyal sponsors and great to always have their continued support. We would like to congratulate Tarren Mackenzie and the McAms Yamaha team on winning the Championship, we will be back again in 2022 and up for another fight!
Tommy Bridewell: “I’m really happy, obviously the goal was to come away with the Championship but we just couldn’t manage it despite how much we tried. To fight tooth and nail with Tarran all weekend was great, I had nothing left, I gave everything I possibly could, there was nothing left to give!
The last two or three rounds we’ve made massive progress, to have signed for next year and make this progress now is brilliant. I’m disappointed to not lift the title but also really pleased to finish second, I couldn’t ask for anymore, the team have done a phenomenal job. I feel like I’m riding the best I’ve ever ridden and I’m really proud of every challenge thrown at me I’ve been there fighting.
Second in the Championship is brilliant, top Ducati rider and now all our concentration will be focussed on 2022 and going one better.”
Iain Hopcroft: "Such an amazing season that we could not have achieved without each and everyone’s input!
I am so proud of the team and they deserve all your kind words and social media posts (of which I have received a fair amount already) for the hard work and dedication they have put in this season. I am looking forward to what 2022 brings and hope you can join us for the journey once more."
As a team our success sheet reads:
Tommy Bridewell 2nd in the British Superbike Championship
Josh Day 1st in the Ducati Performance TriOptions Cup (three-time back-to-back champion)
Carl Stevens 1st R&G Shield within the Ducati Cup
Ollie Walker 8th Honda British Talent Cup
Ryan Hitchcock 15th Honda British Talent Cup