2018 Bennetts British Superbikes – Round 2 – Donington Park
The second round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship saw the series visit the shortest circuit on the calendar; Brands Hatch Indy. At just 1.2 miles long, the tight and twisty circuit is a notoriously tricky track to pass on, with just 6 corners per lap.
Despite the tricky nature of the circuit, our many R&G-protected teams and riders were still able to score highly and bring home more silverware to add to the Donington collection! In the Superbike class, Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha’s James Ellison powered to a front row start in qualifying, whilst on race day JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Leon Haslam picked up his first win of the season in the tricky conditions of race two.
Elsewhere, Gearlink Kawasaki’s Ben Currie picked up a double podium in the Supersport class, whilst in the new Junior Supersport class Eunan McGlinchey continued his imperious form with a win and two second places, extending his Championship lead to 29 points! Further podium joy came in the Motostar class with Asher Durham taking second in the opening race of the year, whilst in the Ducati TriOptions Cup Rob Guiver made an emotional return to the top step following his horror crash last year in the opening race before fellow R&G-supported Mark Cheetham took victory in the second.
R&G Rookies Trophy
The new-look R&G Rookies’ Trophy came alive at Brands Hatch as the many newcomers across the paddock continue to get to grips with their machines. In the Superbike class, Tarran Mackenzie defied his broken wrist to claim 11th and 9th, to become the top rookie in the standings – a ride that also saw James Whitham name him R&G Rookie of the Meeting. There was also a stunning ride from Gearlink’s Carl Phillips in race two, seeing him secure tenth place and move one place behind Tarran in the standings. 
Tom Oliver remains as top rookie in the Supersport class, whilst Jack Scott impressed on his Motostar debut, taking victory in the second race to hold second overall in the standings but, crucially, be top rookie.
The top two rookies in each Championship at the end of the season will be put forward to a panel of judges who’ll then pick the top three overall to receive a host of prizes from R&G, Pirelli and LS2 crash helmets. The current two leading rookie riders in each class after Brands Hatch is as follows;
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British Superbikes
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
16th
|
Tarran Mackenzie
|
12
|
|
17th
|
Carl Phillips
|
6
|
|
British Supersport
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
5th
|
Tom Oliver
|
38
|
|
9th
|
Bradley Perrie
|
23
|
|
British Motostar
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
2nd
|
Jack Scott
|
36
|
|
7th
|
Jack Nixon
|
15
|
|
British Motostar Standard
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
4th
|
Fenton Seabright
|
27
|
|
6th
|
Scott Ogden
|
19
|
|
Superstock 1000
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
2nd
|
Andy Reid
|
66
|
|
4th
|
Joe Collier
|
55
|
|
Superstock 600
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
7th
|
Luke Hopkins
|
14
|
|
9th
|
Caolan Irwin
|
13
|
|
Junior Supersport
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
1st
|
Eunan McGlinchey
|
110
|
|
2nd
|
Kade Verway
|
81
|
|
Ducati TriOptions Cup
|
|
Championship position
|
Rider
|
Points
|
|
7th
|
Sam Coventry
|
32
|
|
8th
|
Joe Morphett
|
27
|