Glenn Irwin put in a heroic ride in the final Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Brands Hatch today, fighting through the pain barrier to come from 23rd on the grid to seventh on the Hager PBM Ducati.

Irwin, who finished fourth in the opening race of the sixth round of the series yesterday, suffered a first corner crash in the first race today which looked like it would end his weekend. But, having been cleared by the medical staff to race in the final outing, he dug deep to fight his way through the field and pick up nine valuable points.

The weekend started with hot temperatures, but Glenn had a strong day of practice on Friday, putting the Hager PBM Ducati Panigale V4R in second place on the timesheets and he took that form into qualifying the following day with third place giving him a front row start for the first 20-lap race.

The slightly cooler weather saw Yamaha’s Ryan Vickers take a dominant win with Glenn embroiled in a four-rider battle for second with fellow Ducati rider Christian Iddon and the Hondas of Tommy Bridewell and brother Andrew Irwin. Positions changed hands regularly and Glenn had to settle for fourth place just over a second adrift of second place.

With the fourth fastest lap of the race, Glenn started from the head of the second row for Sunday’s 12-lap race but, unfortunately, his race was over before it had even begun. Pushed wide going into the first corner, another rider then crashed out and collected Glenn as he slid across the track, the end result seeing the Ulsterman barrel-roll through the gravel trap and stretchered away.

However, despite being in considerable pain, the 34-year-old Ulsterman was able to line up on the grid for the third and final race of the weekend, albeit on the back row. Held over 20 laps once more, Glenn gained five places on the opening lap and was up inside the points a lap later, steadily moving forward from there on in. His reward was seventh place which saw him end the weekend in second overall in the championship standings, 19 points adrift of Bridewell.

Glenn Irwin: “It’s no secret we tried something different with the rear shock for Saturday’s race and although it didn’t work as we’d hoped, we’re continually trying to develop the bike. We persevered but realised it wasn’t the right solution so went back to what we knew for Sunday, and I felt good in morning warm-up despite the damp conditions. My confidence was high but, unfortunately, another rider’s mistake caused a crash, and I genuinely thought my season may have been over. Full credit to the BSB medics and my own physio, they got me ready for the race and I showed the fight and resilience in me. I had some right arm fatigue, which I guess was my body overcompensating for the neck pain, but we didn’t lose too many points and are closer to the championship lead than we were this time last year. We’ll regroup and come out fighting at the next round.”

Frank Bird, Team co-owner: “All things considered, the weekend has ended on a positive note, and I don’t think there are many riders who could come through from the back of the grid to seventh so full credit to Glenn. That ride showed just how much grit and determination he has. Full credit to the team as well for getting the bike ready. It’s been a bit of damage limitation but we haven’t lost too much ground in the standings and whilst the next round is at Thruxton, a circuit that hasn’t been the kindest to us over the last few years, we’ll work hard between now and then, keep developing the bike and look to get back onto the podium.”

Bennetts British Superbike Championship race one (20 laps)
1 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2 Tommy Bridewell (Honda) +7.334s
3 Andrew Irwin (Honda) +7.520s
4 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +8.678s
5 Christian Iddon (Ducati) +9.095s
6 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) +10.708s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship race two (5 laps)
1 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2 Tommy Bridewell (Honda) +1.188s
3 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) +1.237s
4 Andrew Irwin (Honda) +2.566s
5 Leon Haslam (BMW) +2.749s
6 Christian Iddon (Ducati) +3.077s
DNF Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati)

Bennetts British Superbike Championship race three (20 laps)
1 Ryan Vickers (Yamaha)
2 Christian Iddon (Ducati) +3.073s
3 Kyle Ryde (Yamaha) +3.322s
4 Tommy Bridewell (Honda) +4.316s
5 Andrew Irwin (Honda) +8.015s
6 Lee Jackson (Honda) +9.997s
7 Glenn Irwin (Hager PBM Ducati) +12.599s

Championship Points (after six rounds)
1 Bridewell 217pts
2 Irwin 198
3 Iddon 193
4 Ryde 185
5 Kent 148
6 Vickers 146