The 2024 Bennetts British Superbike Championship went down to the wire after an incredible race-long battle royale between Kyle Ryde and defending champion Tommy Bridewell, but after an intense 20-lap final Showdown, the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing rider claimed a debut title by just a single point.

Bridewell initially led the race from the front of the grid with Honda Racing UK teammate Andrew Irwin slotting into second after rocketing from seventh on the grid whilst Ryde settled into third. Glenn Irwin was the man on the move early on astride the Hager PBM Ducati to pass Ryde on the OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing machine.

Andrew Irwin held brother Glenn’s advances off for a few laps, defending the title contending race leader. But Glenn Irwin worked his way past both Hondas in typically determined fashion to lead by lap six. Behind that, Ryde passed Andrew Irwin with a bold move at Sheene a lap later as both he and Bridewell hunted down Glenn Irwin at the front.

Shortly after that, Ryde moved into the box seat with quick successive moves on Bridewell and Glenn Irwin, who proceeded to scrap for position. This allowed Ryde to build a small gap as the race reached the halfway point, but after passing Glenn Irwin decisively, Bridewell began to set the timing screens alight.

Bridewell set a new all-time Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit lap record with a time of 1m24.759s on lap 11, and he was back in the lead a lap later after passing Ryde at Stirlings. The leading pair then duelled to the flag, offering up a repeat of the entertaining dogfight which ensued in race two.

Ryde several times managed to seize the lead at Hawthorn, but each time Bridewell seemed to have an answer – often relying on his signature manoeuvre into Stirlings to remain in the ‘on the road’ championship lead. After swapping positions repeatedly during the closing laps, it all came down to the final lap of the famous circuit for a second year in succession.

Ryde made what proved to be the crucial move at Hawthorn with just three more corners left for Bridewell to fight back. A strong defense into Stirlings from Ryde left Bridewell needing to make a move at the last corner and he was just unable to get the required drag to the line, falling short by just 0.296s.

The reversal of the earlier race result meant that Ryde claimed the title by the same single point which separated him from Bridewell at the start of the day.

Ryan Vickers completed the final podium of the season, with Danny Kent and Max Cook rounding out the top-five. Josh Brookes was sixth whilst Glenn and Andrew Irwin were seventh and ninth, separated only by Charlie Nesbitt, after running at the front early on. Bill McConnell completed the top-10.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Race 3 Result: 

1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing)
2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) +0.296s
3. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) +0.839s
4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) +3.614s
5. Max Cook (Completely Motorbikes Kawasaki) +4.984s
6. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) +5.483s
7. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +6.756s
8. Charlie Nesbitt (MasterMac Honda) +7.732s
9. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +7.803s
10. Billy McConnell (C&L Fairburn Properties/Look Forward Racing Honda) +12.338s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:

1. Kyle Ryde (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 487
2. Tommy Bridewell (Honda Racing UK) 486
3. Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) 382
4. Danny Kent (McAMS Racing Yamaha) 373
5. Ryan Vickers (OMG GRILLA Yamaha Racing) 349
6. Christian Iddon (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 261
7. Lee Jackson (MasterMac Honda) 261
8. Josh Brookes (FHO Racing BMW Motorrad) 249
9. Leon Haslam (ROKiT Haslam Racing BMW Motorrad) 228
10. Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 226