BSB | Brookes Returns To The Top

Chaos, rain and a long-overdue win for Josh Brookes made Oulton Park a weekend to remember

Aussie fans had plenty to cheer about as the British Superbike Championship made its second visit to Oulton Park for 2025 over 3-5 October, where Josh Brookes climbed the top step of the podium in Race 1 to capture his first victory with the DAO Racing Honda squad.

With the championship now in the Showdown phase and the title challenge coming down to Kyle Ryde (Nitrous Competitions Racing Yamaha) and Bradley Ray (Raceways Yamaha), drama ensued from the outset as the first race was red flagged after rain began to fall on the opening lap. Brookes opted for intermediate tyres on the drying track and ran at the front but couldn’t take the lead from Leon Haslam (Moto Rapido Ducati V4 R) until the final lap.

“Our pace was so evenly matched, I knew a regular pass wasn’t going to be enough to make Leon just accept second,” said Brookes. “In the last sector I just took a lot of risks to make sure he couldn’t attack back and obviously fighting hard to get this result. It’s not a conventional way to win a race but I don’t care. I didn’t know if I’d ever get another one of these again on my recent results, so it’s just nice to be back up here.”

A large oil spill by Peter Hickman’s BMW in the second race bought out the red flags again and after a two-hour delay, Ray prevailed in the eight-lap sprint after starting from the fifth row of the grid. Critically, Ryde finished fourth, keeping the title fight alive. Haslam was again competitive and took second ahead of Christian Iddon (AJN Steelstock Kawasaki) while Brookes finished eighth.

With relatively normal conditions for the final race, 10 riders were in contention for the win with Ray, Ryde and Haslam joined by Scott Redding (Hager PBM Ducati) in the front group. Redding risked a mugging to lead with five laps remaining, holding off the train of bikes behind him for a dramatic victory – his fifth of the season. “I’d go as far to say that was my best win, even more so than when I was in BSB in 2019, because I literally went off on no dry set-up on a track which is difficult for me, and I don’t know why or how it happened!”

Ray and Haslam completed the podium while Brookes was down the order in 12th, saying he had experienced similar issues to what the team have faced during the year: “We’re realistic and know we still have work to do. We’ve had a taste of winning as a team and the work won’t stop until this is a more regular occurrence.”

Billy McConnell produced a great result in the opener, running on full wets to eighth place. He was a victim of the oil spill in Race 2 but made the restart for 10th place and then took 14th in Race 3 after an electrical problem meant he started from the back of the grid. “All in all, it was a good weekend; we showed some good pace,” McConnell said. “I did my fastest ever time around Oulton, which is positive.”

Currie earns shot at title after Irwin crashes

Ben Currie’s (Moto Rapido Ducati Racing) challenge for his second BSB Supersport title took a dramatic turn at Oulton Park, entering the round with an 11-point deficit to Suzuki GSX-R 750-mounted Rhys Irwin. Currie led a wet FP1 before a false neutral triggered a massive crash in FP2 where he hit the armco railing.

A victory to Irwin and fourth to Currie in the sprint race on Saturday set up a vitally important feature race, with Currie out front and producing hot lap times.

Irwin made a mistake on lap five at Lodge corner, colliding with the rear of Currie and sending himself flying into the gravel. Currie was able to continue and ultimately finished in sixth place.

“The championship’s back on!” said an elated Currie. “Four points in it and I’m raring to go. Hungry for Brands Hatch to just let it all hang out. I can’t wait!”

Brayden Elliott had to withdraw before the opening Superstock 1000 session, citing mechanical issues with his Honda Fireblade. “Disappointing weekend as I really feel we have built some momentum lately,” he said, confirming he would be back for the final round at Brands Hatch.

Changes in 2026

There is already plenty of anticipation for the 2026 season, with Brookes confirmed to be continuing at DAO Racing Honda.

However McConnell looks to be without a ride after the C&L Fairburn Properties Look Forward outfit announced they will be stepping back from racing and put the Honda team up for sale.

Aussie Lecha Khouri, who announced earlier in the year his Superbike Advocates team would be taking on BSB in 2026, dropped their Ducati livery for their debut season – which looks very similar to the bike piloted by Glenn Allerton in ASBK. Andrea Iannone has been linked to the ride, which comes after a failed bid to have Carl Fogarty manage the team.

Yamaha will be left represented by only the Raceways team next season as Nitrous Competitions Racing is switching to Ducati machinery, with Kyle Ryde and Glenn Irwin continuing.

The BSB championship finishes at Brands Hatch over 17-19 October, with Ryde and Ray separated by 30 points.

2025 BSB STANDINGS AFTER 10 OF 11 ROUNDS