Kent’s Brad Ray has one hand on the 2022 Bennetts British Superbike Championship after a stellar weekend at Donington Park.

He goes into the final round at Brands Hatch in two weeks time with a 66 point lead in the championship. Only Glenn Irwin and Tommy Bridewell are in contention, but a seventh place or better finish in race one on Saturday afternoon will be enough for Ray to take his maiden title.

It is his best ever British Superbike season by far, with nine wins and 23 podiums so far in a fantastic season. 

As the weekend went on Ray grew in confidence, taking a solid fourth place in race one on Saturday afternoon having been pipped by Peter Hickman for third on the final lap.

In the second race of the weekend he finished behind an impressive Tom Sykes who was taking his second victory of the weekend. Again it was a race that ebbed and flowed and ensure that he extended his lead to 55 points.

The final race of Sunday and the weekend saw Ray return to the top spot.

He battled Glenn Irwin for most of the race before a foot peg issue for Irwin saw Ray roar off for the win.

Ray will be hoping he can get the job done in the first race of the final weekend at his home circuit in two weeks time. He will also be looking to finish on the podium there for the first time in his BSB career.

Speaking after the weekend, Ray said: “Saturday was disappointing to lose points to Glenn and Jason so we made the decision to swap to the harder tyre for Sunday’s first race.”

“I questioned the decision in my head as we pulled up on the grid and everyone else was still on the softer Pirelli SCX tyre so I just got my head down and gave it my best and to come home in second place really justified the decision.”

“It was mega to get the win in race three for both me and the RICH Energy OMG Racing Yamaha team and it gives us a nice points buffer as we head to the final round at my home circuit of Brands Hatch in two weeks.”