Mackenzie Secures Showdown Spot with Triple Podium at Snetterton
Reigning British Superbike Champion Tarran Mackenzie confirmed his place in the title fighting Showdown this weekend, collecting three podium finishes at the Snetterton circuit.
Having secured sixth on the grid on Saturday for that afternoon’s shortened 12-lap race, Mackenzie struggled off the line, dropping back to ninth by the end of lap one. Despite the tricky start, he pushed through the field following the brief Safety Car interruption, crossing the line second after being unable to close down leader Bradley Ray. On the other side of the garage, it was a tough opening encounter for Jason O’Halloran who, after limited running due to a technical issue started 17th on the grid. Setting the fourth quickest lap time, the Aussie progressed through the pack to secure 12th.
As the skies cleared up for Sunday, battle commenced as the final two Bennetts British Superbike Championship races got underway. Making a strong start, Mackenzie was in the hunt for victory, claiming the lead in the early stages. However, a late move from Ray meant Mackenzie could only manage second, collecting further showdown points. O’Halloran enjoyed two stronger performances on Sunday. The championship contender opened his day with a ninth-place finish in race two.
The final race of the weekend saw Mackenzie once again in contention for the victory. Leading the race when a safety car intervention was called, the #1 Yamaha rider fell foul to a late penalty, having passed the safety car before it had entered the pits. Despite the penalty, the 26-year-old pushed hard to secure second at the flag, taking third overall.
Jason O’Halloran further progressed on Sunday afternoon. The Aussie enjoyed a tough battle inside the top six before crossing the line in fourth.
The McAMS Yamaha Team are now locked and loaded for the Showdown battle with O’Halloran trailing leader Ray by 13 points. Tarran Mackenzie heads to Oulton Park third in the standings, 30 points adrift from the title leader.
Edwards 1902 Superstock rider Tim Neave returned to podium form, securing third in the Pirelli National Superstock race on Sunday.
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, eBay Sprint race:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha)
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +2.437s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +4.474s
- Christian Iddon (Buildbase Suzuki) +4.894s
- Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +8.353s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +9.264s
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +10.146s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +11.412s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +12.713s
- Danny Kent (Buildbase Suzuki) +13.273s
12. Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha)
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 2:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha)
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +0.267s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +7.201s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +7.896s
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +9.450s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +11.526s
- Danny Buchan (SYNETIQ BMW) +12.037s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +12.945s
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +13.622s
- Tom Sykes (MCE Ducati) +16.974s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, Race 3 result:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha)
- Peter Hickman (FHO Racing BMW) +0.739s
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +1.548s
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) +1.945s
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +2.422s
- Leon Haslam (VisionTrack Kawasaki) +4.063s
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +4.189s
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) +5.379s
- Andrew Irwin (SYNETIQ BMW) +6.590s
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) +6.656s
Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings:
- Bradley Ray (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1061
- Jason O’Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 1048
- Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 1031
- Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing UK) 1016
- Lee Jackson (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Kawasaki) 1014
- Kyle Ryde (Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha) 1013
- Rory Skinner (Cheshire Mouldings FS-3 Racing Kawasaki) 1009
- Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 1008
Credit to McAMS