The British Superbike Championship’s fifth qualifying round at Brand Hatch saw Bradley Ray secure pole position while his main competitor was still in the pits following a red flag interruption. Ray, who delivered a commanding performance at Knockhill with two poles and three wins, continued his strong form by topping the FP3 session on Friday with a remarkable lap time of 1 minute 24.418 seconds.
Despite never having won at Brand Hatch in the BSB category, Ray demonstrated his potential by claiming pole, shaking up the grid’s leading positions. The session experienced a red flag caused not by rain but due to a part from Kyle Ryde’s Yamaha falling onto the track. Ryde, using the FP3 session to check his bike after a late crash, was unable to improve his time after the delay, finishing second, 0.444 seconds behind Ray. Scott Redding, substituting for the injured Glenn Irwin, impressed by taking third place on his Ducati, closely followed by Christian Iddon, who secured fourth on his Kawasaki.
Other notable performances included Danny Kent in fifth on the MCAMS Yamaha and Tommy Bridewell in sixth as the lead Honda rider. Knockhill winner Rory Skinner came eighth on his Ducati, just ahead of Leon Haslam, the only other winner this season. Max Cook and Josh Brooks also made significant efforts but fell short of advancing to Q2, with Brooks being the best in Q1.
The official qualifying results showed Bradley Ray at the top, with Kyle Ryde and Scott Redding completing the front row. The session highlighted competitive times across various teams, including strong showings from Yamaha, Ducati, Kawasaki, and Honda riders.
Notably, the official lap record at Brand Hatch is held by Tommy Bridewell (Honda) with a time of 1:24.767 set in 2024. The upcoming rounds at Brand Hatch in 2024 and 2025 promise intense competition, as the riders and teams prepare to challenge these established marks.
Fan Take: This qualifying session underscores the rising competition in British Superbike, with emerging talents like Bradley Ray challenging established names. Fans can expect thrilling races ahead, as this mix of experience and fresh skill raises the stakes and excitement for the sport’s future.
