Round 3 - MCE British Superbikes - Oulton Park - Race Day
Bank holiday Monday kicked off in the Cheshire sunshine with the MCE British Superbike Championship warm up. The fifteen minute session was the last opportunity to take to the track to get rider feedback on the bike, and also test tyres to find the perfect set up on the dry track. Tommy Bridewell shone in the session, able to keep Byrne and Brookes who are notoriously fast around the circuit at bay and finish on top.
Following the session Club MCE members were treated to a priority pit walk, Oulton Park has always provided great turnouts for the event; however this year may have tipped the scale on the busiest and most bustling ever!
With all of the excitement race one rolled around in no time and the riders descended onto the grid. Tommy Bridewell was propelled from his successful warm up session and claimed his first win on the Tyco BMW. It was an incredible display of riding ability from the rider, able to keep his head with Josh Brookes finishing just 0.160s behind him after heaping a pressure on him for the majority of the race, however Bridewell delivered a performance that will no doubt be a highlight of his career. Shane Byrne finished third with Easton and Kiyonari making the top 5. Ellison had a disappointing race by his 2015 standards finishing in 6th position.
Every so often a MCE BSB race comes around that delights and shocks the spectator, race two was exactly that. Tommy Bridewell forced his way to the front of the pack in lap three and many murmured it may be a double for the Tyco BMW rider; however this speculation was short lived as he crashed out at Hizzys Chicane. Kiyonari found himself back in first position and managed for a short while to defend from chasing reigning Champion Byrne who eventually overtook him on lap 15. Everybody knew that Kiyonari would do everything he could to overtake his rival; however his eagerness proved his downfall as he clipped Byrne's back wheel forcing both riders out of the race.
With three race leaders crashing out Easton was thrust to the front of the pack, after a weekend of fantastic racing from the PBM Kawasaki Scotsman he managed to continue his form and finish first. This was even more impressive with James Ellison relentlessly trying to overtake in the final few laps, however finally finishing second. Josh Brookes seemingly patiently waited for an opportunity to capitalise on another error from the leaders, however this opportunity did not arise and he finished third overall. Michael Laverty finished 4th on the much improved Tyco BMW with Honda rider Jason O'Halloran making the top 5.
Oulton Park certainly didn't disappoint - the twists and turns of the Cheshire circuit were echoed by weekend's events. Now we have to amuse ourselves for a few weeks before the series returns in June where it hits Snetterton!
04.05.2015 - Big Ed
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