Knockhill BSB: Ray dominates race one

Rich OMG Yamaha’s Brad Ray was unchallenged and untouchable in the opening Bennetts British Superbike race at Knockhill on Saturday.

Having lined up on pole position for the first race of the Scottish showing with McAMS’ Jason O’Halloran and Cheshire Mouldings FS3 Kawasaki’s Lee Jackson alongside, Ray held a near-three-second advantage in the closing stages of the 22-lap race. The Australian stretched his own advantage to maintain second on the second YZF-R1 with Rory Skinner denying his FS-3 teammate to enjoy home podium celebrations in third.

Early drama saw Buildbase Suzuki’s Christian Iddon and Rapid CDH Kawasaki’s Josh Owens come together on the sighting lap in the blustery conditions with reigning champion Tarran Mackenzie out of the opening action due to earlier crashes destroying both his R1s, with the team unable to rebuild his machine in time for lights out.

Ray took the holeshot from O’Halloran with Skinner through on his teammate for third by the opening corner. Danny Buchan held fourth on the Synetiq BMW with Jackson battling Glenn Irwin’s Honda for fifth. Skinner scalped the Australian as he made his way to second on home turf with Kyle Ryde moving up the pack to fourth by lap three.

Storm Stacey started strong on the LKQ Euro Car Parts Kawasaki, running eighth before Oxford Products Ducati’s Tommy Bridewell captured the position with Tom Sykes completing the top ten on the MCE Panigale with four laps done.

Despite managing to line up at the back of the grid Iddon retired the Suzuki as lap seven fired up. Ray running seven-tenths clear of the pursuing pack with Skinner and O’Halloran inseparable with a third distance dispatched.

Dan Jones crashed the iForce BMW out on lap nine with O’Halloran finding his