Andrew Irwin claimed a sensational win in the opening race of the 2020 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season today (Saturday) at Donington Park, making a last lap move on brother Glenn to claim Honda Racing their first victory for the Honda Racing CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP on its debut.

At the start of the race Kyle Ryde had hit the front of the pack on the Buildbase Suzuki from his front row grid position ahead of Héctor Barberá and the Irwin pairing led by Andrew, with Danny Buchan ahead of the two VisionTrack Ducatis.

Andrew Irwin was characteristically attacking straight from the start and he moved into second at Roberts on the second lap with a move on the brakes to pass Barberá on the Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW.

Danny Buchan was holding fifth but he crashed out unhurt at Roberts putting him out of contention on the Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki. Bradley Ray then retired his SYNETIQ BMW on lap five with Barberá was also forced out of the race with a technical problem.

By lap six Andrew Irwin had grasped the lead going into Roberts with a move on Ryde, with his brother Glenn also moving his Honda Racing Fireblade ahead a lap later as the Buildbase Suzuki rider came under attack.

Josh Brookes was reeling in the brothers as their sibling rivalry continued; the Australian edging his VisionTrack Ducati ahead into Redgate on lap eight before Ryde cut back to reclaim the position. Brookes was then fighting back, but the Buildbase Suzuki rider was forced to retire with a technical issue.

At the front there was a three-way scrap forming between Honda Racing’s Andrew and Glenn Irwin plus Brookes. On lap 13 Glenn Irwin grabbed the lead with a move at Redgate on his brother with Brookes instantly making a move to push Andrew Irwin back into third.

Brookes was then vying for the lead on the VisionTrack Ducati, but he wasn’t able to make his move until lap 16 on the brakes into Redgate to push Glenn Irwin back into second place. However the brothers then both made a brave move at Schwantz Curve which fired the Hondas into the leading two positions on lap 18.

Glenn Irwin was then holding the lead from brother Andrew with Brookes slightly adrift, and it came down to the last lap when Andrew went for a move on his sibling which he made stick. He then defended hard giving his brother no room to repay the manoeuvre and the pair crossed the line 0.119s apart with Brookes sealing third place.

Christian Iddon held onto fourth place from Tommy Bridewell who worked his way up the order on the Oxford Products Racing Ducati. In sixth place Luke Mossey was able to get the better of Tarran Mackenzie on the leading McAMS Yamaha, ahead of teammate Jason O'Halloran. Pole sitter O’Halloran dropped down the order when he was forced to take evasive action to avoid Buchan’s crash and then had to work his way back up through the field.

Ryan Vickers claimed ninth place for the RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki team ahead of Lee Jackson who completed the top ten ahead of tomorrow’s two races.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, Race 1 result:

1.Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing)
2.Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) +0.119s
3.Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) +0.831s
4.Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) +1.568s
5.Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) +5.362s
6.Luke Mossey (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) +9.122s
7.Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) +9.328s
8.Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) +10.580s
9.Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) +15.429s
10.Lee Jackson (Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki) +15.671s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Championship standings after Donington Race 1:

1.Andrew Irwin (Honda Racing) 25
2.Glenn Irwin (Honda Racing) 20
3.Josh Brookes (VisionTrack Ducati) 16
4.Christian Iddon (VisionTrack Ducati) 13
5.Tommy Bridewell (Oxford Products Racing Ducati) 11
6.Luke Mossey (Rich Energy OMG Racing BMW) 10
7.Tarran Mackenzie (McAMS Yamaha) 9
8.Jason O'Halloran (McAMS Yamaha) 8
9.Ryan Vickers (RAF Regular & Reserve Kawasaki) 7
10.Lee Jackson (Massingberd-Mundy Kawasaki) 6