BSB: Double dose of Oulton Park wins for Jake Dixon

Jake Dixon kicked off the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown in style by celebrating a double victory at Oulton Park, taking a 14 point chunk out of Leon Haslam’s lead in the standings after mastering all conditions on the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki.

After a victory in race one Dixon grabbed the lead on the opening lap to lead Jason O’Halloran, Michael Laverty and Haslam at the start, but Tommy Bridewell was on the attack again and by the end of lap one he had moved into fourth with a move at Shell.

Laverty was showing promise on the Tyco BMW until he crashed out at Cascades on the fifth lap, ending his hunt for another top five finish.

At the front Dixon was edging ahead But Haslam was in the hunt and he moved into second with a dive down the inside of O’Halloran at Lodge on the seventh lap as his RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki rival then became his target.

Honda Racing’s O’Halloran was then under attack from Bridewell and the Moto Rapido Ducati rider made a decisive pass at Shell, meanwhile Tarran Mackenzie was also making moves and leapt into fifth ahead of Luke Mossey.

Bradley Ray was fighting for a top ten position on the Buildbase Suzuki but a crash at Old Hall on lap 12 ended his hopes of closing down in the points and he will head to Assen fifth in the standings. A lap later and O’Halloran slipped off in similar style to end his run for Honda Racing prematurely.

Dixon’s lead at the front was being closed down but Haslam couldn’t quite get within striking distance despite a sensational attempt to reel his rival back in over the closing stages of the race.

Bridewell and Moto Rapido Ducati celebrated a double podium finish ahead of Mackenzie and team-mate Brookes who recovered from his race one crash to claim fifth place ahead of Glenn Irwin and Mossey.

Peter Hickman, Andrew Irwin and James Ellison completed the top ten, with Brookes now holding equal third on points with Glenn Irwin and six points separating them from Ray and Hickman just four points adrift.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Oulton Park, Race 2 result:

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki)

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.129s

Tommy Bridewell (Moto Rapido Ducati) +3.586s

Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +6.301s

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) +6.404s

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +6.441s

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +8.142s

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +20.846s

Andrew Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +22.052s

James Ellison (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +22.1556s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship standings after Oulton Park:

Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 604

Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 573

Josh Brookes (McAMS Yamaha) 530

Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) 530

Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) 524

Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 520

The next round of the 2018 Bennetts British Superbike Championship is the penultimate round of the Showdown at Assen (September 28/29/30).