Redding doubles up at Snetterton to extend his BSB championship lead

Despite never having raced at Snetterton before, Be Wiser Ducati’s Scott Redding topped all 3 practice sessions, claimed pole and went on to win both races to extend his lead at the top of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

Race 1
Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) initially led from the start, with Be Wiser Ducati teammates Josh Brookes and Scott Redding, and Oxford Racing Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell immediately behind. It wasn't long before Bridewell made an impression on the race with a strong move on Redding for 3rd and then a pass on Brookes for 2nd. 

Bridewell had posted consecutive fastest lap times on Laps 3 and 4 before going on to take the lead from Mackenzie on the next lap. But his impressive form while leading was cut short on Lap 8 when he crashed out unhurt at Agostini's - the first DNF for the Oxford Racing Ducati team this season.

With Bridewell out of action, Redding now led the race. And with Brookes and Mackenzie battling behind him, the current championship leader managed to pull a gap over the two riders. 

Redding went on to take the chequered flag and claim his 5th win of the season, with Brookes getting the better of Mackenzie to claim 2nd.

The Be Wiser Ducati 1-2 finish was made all the more special for the Paul Bird Motorsport team, as Redding's victory marked their 100th British Superbike win.

Race 2
It was all-Ducati front row for Race 2, with Bridewell on pole ahead of Redding and Brookes.

Brookes took the lead, ahead of Bridewell and Redding, with the trio starting to gap the field with only Mackenzie keeping the Ducati riders in sight until he crashed out unhurt.

Redding passed Bridewell on Lap 4 going at the end of the Bentley Straight before keeping on the back of Brookes. He went on to pass his teammate for the lead on Lap 13, going on to take the flag for the 2nd time. Brookes finished just 0.279s behind in 2nd with Bridewell bringing his Panigale V4 R home another 3 seconds down the road in 3rd, completing an all-Ducati podium and collecting a valuable podium point in the process.

Redding extends his championship lead to a total of 226 points, with Bridewell and Brookes on 188 and 185 respectively. 

Scott Redding (Be Wiser Ducati #46) – Race 1 & 2, 1st
“Upside down to down on top. The warm-up crash was a little bit my fault. A little bit keen and the track was cold. I was on the same lap times I did in qualifying and I am so confident with the bike right now. I apologise obviously to the guys, but they did a good job to get the bike done. To come back with a double win, I paid enough back to them for that. I couldn’t ask for much more, pole position, two wins, I felt good and I topped every session that I stayed on. Just unbelievable how much my career has turned around and how much I’m loving the racing and the sport again. Just so grateful. In the end we come here to entertain and the end of the day, racing is entertainment. When I feel good, I feel comfortable, I’m just at my best. That’s where I am now, and I just want to cherish every moment.”

Josh Brookes (Be Wiser Ducati #25) – Race 1 & 2, 2nd
“We made a change to the bike between Race 1 and 2. I could feel the improvement and definitely felt more confident on the bike. I could push to my limit with out as much risk of crashing. That gave me a lot more confidence to put in good lap times… I'm disappointed not to win but I'm pleased with what I was able to do. I feel like I rode my best and hopefully my crew are happy with how I represented them and the team, and we can move on to Thruxton and maybe go one better there. ”

John Mowatt - Be Wiser Ducati Team Co-ordinator
“It’s been a near perfect weekend for Scott. Obviously, the tumble in warm up didn’t help matters, it put him on the back foot for Race 1 a little bit. The first 6 or so laps in Race 1, that was his morning warm up effectively so once he found his feet and his pace again, he was happy. To come here and take a win first time round is phenomenal, so all credit to him. And all credit to Josh. He’s been on the back foot all weekend and chasing the optimum setup. Even in Race 2 he made a change and you could see with his pace he was a lot better. So, all credit to Josh. And all credit to PBM Be Wiser Ducati and the new Panigale V4 R. The double 1-2, it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Racing Ducati #46) – Race 1, DNF – Race 2, 3rd
“I am a lot harder on myself and probably a lot harder on my team, because they are delivering a bike that is almost capable of winning. I am putting too much pressure on myself and the team to win. Ultimately, we will win, we are only at round 6 and 12 months ago I was sacked and stood here looking for a ride. As a racer you are always a bit short sighted and it’s a bit frustrating. The only thing that PBM has over us is at the minute they have this new swingarm. We will have it for Thruxton, it was supposed to be here this weekend. We don’t know if it will make any difference, I am genuinely riding as hard as I can, in race 1 I was on the limit, we just don’t quite have enough. We will get is sorted and come back to Thruxton stronger.”