Round 3 - Donington Park
The championship threw up another mix of results for lots of the riders at Doningont Park, but Oxford Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell continued his consistent results to leave the Derbyshire circuit in second place in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship…
The championship threw up another mix of results for lots of the riders last weekend, but Oxford Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell continued his consistent results to leave the Derbyshire circuit in second place in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Tommy was finding a good set up in FP1 and was 4th fastest in FP2 just 0.3 off the fastest time, FP3 he was fourth heading into qualifying later that morning. The qualifying session was exceptionally close and Tommy fought hard to put in a strong lap time, eventually starting race one from fifth place, with a tight time schedule of the triple header weekend tommy could not afford to crash out as it would give the team little time to repair the bike for the race.
Race One
Tommy was feeling confident going into race one and was eager to get a good start. He pushed hard early in the race and led for 19 laps fending off challenges from Tarran Mackenzie. However, it was Scott Redding who was on a mission and Tommy had a small problem but still fought on to finish in a solid fourth place. He rode a strong race and set the fastest lap of the race putting him on pole for race two on Sunday.
Race Two
Tommy got a good start off pole position and was second after lap one but he soon made his move to the front. He was involved in a tough battle with Factory Honda rider Xavi Fores for the lead and once again looked strong at the front. As the rain started to come down Tommy backed off thinking there might be a red flag but he had to settle into third place until the race was cut short when the flag came out eventually bringing the race to an end at the end of lap 18.
Race Three
Once again it was another fantastic race in the Bennetts British Superbike Class, Tommy was strong off the start and got away with the leading pack again. At one point seven riders were fighting for the win. Tommy dug deep and waited patiently until the last lap when he made a confident move on Tarran Mackenzie to take his second podium of the weekend with another third place.
Tommy: “I have to take the positives, I think I built up to much expectation for the weekend and wanted to leave with a win. Ultimately, the Championship is a very long goal and the trophy I want to get at the end of the year than perhaps lose it here.
It was a very good weekend the team did an amazing job and the bike is really nice to ride. We’ve still got some things to find and we are just a sole rider in the team so it is just us who have to find that little bit extra. We are doing a great job and I’m so happy with how the team have worked.
I’m looking forward to Brands and I knew it would be tough here this weekend. I’m hoping they are coming into what is my back yard at Brands Hatch and get some really strong results there.”
The team worked so well this weekend and Tommy did us all proud, we came away from the weekend with points, podiums and also the lap record for Donington Park National circuit!
Massive shout out to TRW brake pads this weekend as without them the move made on Tarran on the last corner of the last race wouldn’t have been possible. Thanks for all the support!
Round 2 - Oulton Park
Tommy Bridewell showed a lot of consistency this weekend throughout the practice sessions at the technical Oulton Park circuit in both the wet and the dry, it is a circuit we have had much success at also so this was a good combination…
Tommy Bridewell showed a lot of consistency this weekend throughout the practice sessions at the technical Oulton Park circuit in both the wet and the dry, it is a circuit we have had much success at also so this was a good combination.
At the start of the weekend Tommy knew Josh Brookes and Danny Buchan would be our only competition. Here is what happened…
Qualifying
Tommy had a strong qualifying session and started on the front row in second place and was eager for two strong race results on Monday.
Race One
Tommy got a great start, he and Josh Brookes were leading the chasing pack. Josh and Tommy both began to bridge a gap on third place and were in a race of their own. They were both showing good pace at the front and Tommy looked like he might be able to move for the lead but he was just unable to get close enough. It was Tommy’s first podium of the year with the team which also led to pole position for race two.
Tommy: “It was a strong race; the bike was working well and there a few little areas we can improve. I’m looking forward to race two and have another go at trying to take the win! We just didn’t have enough towards the end to make a pass on Josh.”
Race Two
Starting from pole gave Tommy a small advantage but once again Brookes was out the blocks fast and took to the front. They both dominated the race and upped the pace from the opening race but the pair had a gap of 2.6 seconds from third. He rode two really sensible races and collected another second place plus some podium credits.
Tommy: “It was a great weekend and another strong race. We didn’t quite have the pace to beat Josh in that race; the pace was a lot faster. We struggled a little bit towards the end of the race with tyre life. We made a fairly big change between the races but we were still hunting that extra little bit. The upside was that we could up the pace also and run with Josh the downside was that in the last six laps or so we need to work on. I feel really good the team have done an amazing job this weekend and I am really looking forward to Donington Park.”
We are now jointly leading the Championship with Tarran Mackenzie.
Thank you all for the support and I hope you watched the races, if you haven’t then I suggest you do as we get plenty of TV coverage.
Round 1 - Silverstone National
Tommy impressed us all after his big incident in second practice, finishing top Ducati rider and 3rd in the Championship.
Tommy impressed us all after his big incident in second practice, finishing top Ducati rider and 3rd in the Championship.
Practice sessions started well but in FP2 Tommy was hit by another rider and caused a lot of damage, he quickly recovered after the team completely rebuilt the bike over the Friday night.
Race 1
After showing his pace throughout the practice sessions and qualifying in seventh, Oxford Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell lined up for a beautifully sunny start at Silverstone for Race 1 on row 3.
Tommy had a bad start and fell back to 11th but managed recover well and claim 5th by the end of the race after a tussle with Honda rider Andrew Irwin.
Race 2
We made some changes to the bike and we had been working hard with tyre life and drive from the exit of the last turn to give us just a little boost.
Starting from row 5 of the grid in 15th place was not ideal after such a good race one but Tommy dug deep and brought the bike home in 4th place, finishing top Ducati and securing 3rd place in the championship.
Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati #46) – Race 1, 5th, Race 2, 4th
“Really happy with the way the bike worked in race two, the bike worked fantastic all weekend. Credit to the team, after Friday Baz, Joe and the team didn’t get to bed till 02:30 and back up at 05:00, qualified seventh which we didn’t expect. We came away 3rd in the championship on a circuit that’s probably not my favourite.”
Watch out for Oulton park where last year we came away with a double podium!!
Oxford Racing Ducati 2019
Moto Rapido Ducati have announced the return of Tommy Bridewell for his first full season campaign with the Hampshire-based dealer team, who have also joined forces with Oxford Products in a new title partnership for the 2019 Bennetts British Superbike Championship.
Bridewell joined the team at Brands Hatch in July and since then claimed the team their best results in the Superbike class, scoring four podium finishes and narrowly missed out on a place in the Showdown, before delivering the Riders Cup honours at the season finale. The previous Showdown contender and race winner is now looking ahead to his first test on the new Ducati Panigale V4R.
The team are also relishing the new venture with Oxford Products, a company that already has a rich motorcycle racing history dating back to the 70s with riders such as Robert Dunlop, Steve Hislop, Jim Moodie and Jeremy McWilliams, under the new guise of the Oxford Racing Ducati team.
Bridewell said: “I am just so excited to have this opportunity to stay with the team and to ride the new Ducati in our new Oxford colours. I joined the team halfway through last season, but the way we ended the season, and how well we gelled working together, it felt like it had been longer. I have never felt so comfortable and going into the new season with this consistency and confidence with the people around me is a big thing.
“There is a huge amount of expectation with a new bike and I can’t wait to get testing. We are realistic that we have work ahead of us, that is always to be expected with a new bike, but it’s an exciting time and I couldn’t be happier to be in this position.
“I was so nervous before riding a Ducati for the first time last year at Brands Hatch and then the season went from strength to strength and we were fighting for podiums. We want to carry that success into the new season and of course our expectations have changed, so we want to continue this momentum we have and build on an even better 2019.”
Team Owner Steve Moore is delighted with their 2019 announcement, he said: “This is a great partnership for the Moto Rapido Racing team. Everyone at Oxford Products is clearly passionate about motorcycles and especially racing, so we quickly felt this would be a great match.
"I’m, of course, very excited for next season with the new Ducati V4R, and with Oxford taking the title sponsorship we are now able to finally re-sign Tommy, our most successful rider ever. Now the V4R development begins. It is time to make a serious bid for this championship now as Oxford Racing Ducati.”
Oxford's Managing Director Andrew Hammond commented: "We are extremely excited to be partnering up with Moto Rapido in 2019; as you can see, the whole company is behind the team. We look forward to extending Oxford’s race heritage in what is undoubtedly the world’s best domestic motorcycle race series.”
Season finishes on the podium
Tommy Bridewell put in an impressive performance in the wet during the first of Sunday's races at the British Superbikes Brands Hatch season finale this afternoon.
Starting from the 3rd row of the grid in 8th, Tommy started well to climb 4 places on his opening lap around the GP circuit.
Tommy went on to pass Jason O'Halloran (Honda Racing) on Lap 5 for 2nd and then passed Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) to lead the race for a couple of laps.
As the thrilling race went on, the leading group of riders swapped places several times with Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) briefly leading before crashing out. With Haslam pulling a very slight gap out at the front in the closing stages of the race the battle for 2nd was between Tommy and O'Halloran. Tommy took the position from O'Halloran on the penultimate lap to bring his Panigale R home in a strong 2nd place, matching his season-best result scored at Oulton Park with the Moto Rapido Ducati team.
Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati #46) - 2nd
"To be honest, just to carry the strong momentum on we've been building really. I feel really, really happy with my riding, I have done for a while now. Assen was just a bit unfortunate to be honest but it's one of them. It's been a busy time. Yesterday wasn't ideal. But it was a great race, really enjoyable. Like Jason said, it was certainly one of them races I'll remember for sure. I just sat back and watched Leon make some lunges and I thought if they both don't come down then fair play. It was a really respected race, I feel that every pass, it was thought of. Really, really enjoyed it. The downside is now I've got to try and dry out ready for Race 2. Massive thanks to Moto Rapido Ducati."
Riders Cup for Bridewell
The final British Superbike race of the season at Brands Hatch took place in wet conditions at the Kent circuit. Lining up in 4th, Tommy Bridewell didn't get the best of starts on his Moto Rapido Ducati Panigale R but by the end of the opening lap around the GP circuit had moved back up into 4th before passing the 2018 BSB Champion Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) for 3rd position. A couple of laps later Tommy put a move on Jason O'Halloran (Honda Racing) for 2nd place behind Buildbase Suzuki's Richard Cooper.
The two riders then gapped the rest of the field as the race went on. Tommy posted two consecutive fastest laps, but ultimately Cooper's pace proved too much to compete with. Tommy opted to bring his Panigale R home safely to claim another 2nd place, with a 7.5s lead over third-placed finisher Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki).
Tommy's double podium was enough to see him move up into 7th in the championship and claim the Rider's Cup, finishing the 2018 season on a high.
The last race of the season did not go to plan for Be Wiser Ducati, with Glenn Irwin running outside a points-scoring position and pitting on Lap 11. Andrew Irwin was on course for a Top 10 finish but crashed out of his last race for the team in the slippy conditions on Lap 18 of 20.
Despite retiring from the race, Glenn had already done enough to cement 3rd in the 2018 British Superbike Championship. Andrew finished in 17th, just behind the injured Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne he replaced at Round 4 at Snetterton.
Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati #46) - 2nd, Rider's Cup Champion
"To fight back from the start of the year to standing here now with another double podium, finishing 7th in the championship, it's a big achievement for me and the team. We've only just taken stride after stride after stride. Credit, absolute hats off, to the Moto Rapido Ducati. They put every penny they've got into that team. A special shout out to Ollie and Sue at Solent Scientific, longest lasting sponsor, and all my sponsors and everyone who believes in me and keeps me going. As always, dedicated to my brother Ollie. He's the one that keeps me motivated, keeps me focused. Never give up, never drop my head and I never will. So, I'm looking forward to next year. New bike, new challenge. Nothing's been announced yet but It’s going to be a phenomenal year with a super-fast teammate."
Steve Moore - Moto Rapido Ducati Team Owner
"Joining half way through the season, the Showdown was mathematically possible but realistically not, so the best we could expect from the season was P7 in the championship and get the Rider's Cup. And that's tough. That's really hard to do. They're fast guys out there. Coming into this weekend, I think we were 11th when we came here after the crash at Assen and then to have a pretty good weekend today is remarkable. Over the moon with it. We've had a little sweet spot with the bike for the setup in the wet, which we knew from Oulton Park already. Tommy felt good in the wet and we know that he's strong in the beginning of the race, so it went to plan. Very, very pleased."