BSB: Mackenzie clinches title with triple at Brands Hatch finale

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) clinched the 2021 BSB title with a hattrick at Brands Hatch. The Scotsman decided the championship in his favour in Race 2 and, without any pressure, stormed to another victory in Race 3.

Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) tried everything to keep his title chance alive but had to be content with second in all three races. However, he did enough to beat Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) to runner-up in the standings.

Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) went into the round as the fourth mathematical championship contender. With third, fourth and a DNF he missed out on the final top three. Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) ended the season positively with two fourth place finishes.

RACE 1

Mackenzie stole the lead into Paddock Hill Bend but was instantly beaten by Iddon who overtook down the inside. Rory Skinner (FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) followed in third ahead of Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad) and Bridewell.

Iddon soon headed a group of six riders that had gained a small advantage. Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) and Bridewell contested P3 while Skinner held Andrew Irwin behind him. O’Halloran led the chasing group in seventh.

The safety car came out on Lap 5 due to a Josh Owens (Rapid CDH Racing Kawasaki) crash at Hawthorns that destroyed the safety barriers. Going into Lap 8, racing resumed.

Iddon, Mackenzie and Bridewell immediately pulled a gap and punches were swiftly exchanged. The Ducatis made contact and although both riders stayed onboard, Bridewell lost ground. Mackenzie had taken the lead but remained stalked by Iddon.

Bridewell set the fastest lap to regain touch and the trio was locked back together going into the late stages. O’Halloran was up to fifth behind Skinner and gained another position when the Scotsman crashed out at Stirlings.

Iddon’s tyres were out of grip with four laps to go and he dropped behind his opponents. Bridewell was swarming all over Mackenzie and the title contenders were set to decide victory between them.

The Yamaha had superior grip and corner speed, making it difficult for Bridewell to pick his move. He had a look through Hawthorns on the final lap, but there was no stopping Mackenzie who secured victory. Iddon brought third over the line while O’Halloran took the chequered flag in fourth.

RACE 2

Mackenzie got off to a flyer at the lights chased by Iddon and polesitter Bridewell. An inch-perfect manoeuvre through Surtees elevated Bridewell from P3 to P1 and he looked for an early break. O’Halloran had a great start from down the grid and contested third with Iddon late on the opening lap.

Bridewell’s escape at the front was on track with an advantage of around one and half seconds by Lap 4. Mackenzie was the first chaser ahead of O’Halloran who could not shake off Iddon and Hickman. The Ducati was struggling with rear grip, but Iddon hung on through the early stages.

The gap at the front gradually came down while the distance between second and third increased as Iddon and O’Halloran engaged in battle.

Halfway through the race, Bridewell and Mackenzie were locked together on track, separated by two tenths. The duo had a comfortable two plus seconds buffer over the chasing group, suggesting either of them would come out the race winner.

Mackenzie made his move through Paddock Hill Bend and made it stick to claim the lead. With the rain flags out, both riders were aware of a possible two thirds result deciding proceedings. Bridewell had a couple of looks but could not execute a move before the cut-off.

Bridewell did not give up and reclaimed P1 at Stirlings on Lap 15. Mackenzie shadowed his opponent through the final stages. A spinning tyre on the Ducati through Paddock Hill Bend allowed Mackenzie past, but Bridewell got on the cut-back.

Mackenzie read Bridewell’s defensive line and set up a manoeuvre through Clearways to dive down the inside at Clark Curve and steal the win to clinch the championship. O’Halloran secured the final podium spot in third.

RACE 3

Mackenzie maintained P1 from pole while  Bridewell and O’Halloran contested second behind him. Iddon got involved in the fight too and claimed the position through Paddock Hill Bend while O’Halloran had his hands full with Hickman.

Bridewell swiftly reclaimed P2 and went one further up diving down Mackenzie’s inside at Stirlings on Lap 2. The Ducati rider instantly set the fastest lap and again sought an escape at the front.

Mackenzie sat comfortably in second while Hickman stalked Iddon for third. A marginal gap had opened to O’Halloran who was getting under pressure from Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati).

Yet again, Bridewell’s advantage at the front only lasted until halfway distance when Mackenzie had reeled him in again. O’Halloran had found his rhythm and closed down the fighting duo of Iddon and Hickman, dragging Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW Motorrad) with him.

Paddock Hill Bend saw Mackenzie take the lead on Lap 16, but Bridewell retaliated immediately. The opening turns were where the Ducati was most vulnerable and Mackenzie had looks lap after lap.

Unsurprisingly, Mackenzie made his punt for the lead through Paddock Hill Bend. Bridewell accelerated into P1 out of Stirlings but ran wide at Clearways, allowing Mackenzie to storm to his third victory of the weekend. O’Halloran completed the podium as Iddon and Buchan crashed out on the final lap.