Irwin crashes unhurt as Kennedy secures title

Glenn Irwin was runner-up in the 2023 British Superbike Championship

Glenn Irwin's chances of winning a first British Superbike title are all but mathematically over after the PBM Ducati rider crashed out in the first race of the weekend at Brands Hatch on Saturday.

Irwin escaped relatively unscathed with an ankle injury.

After starting well down the grid in 15th after coming off his bike in qualifying, the Carrickfergus rider worked his way through the field up to fourth position before coming off on lap 15 of 20.

Danny Kent took his maiden British Superbike win on his Yamaha, with Ryan Vickers second, Tommy Bridewell third on his Honda and Kyle Ryde fourth.

Defending champion Bridewell trails Ryde by just one point going into Sunday's final two races, with Irwin now well adrift in third, his chances of a maiden title gone.

Dubliner Jack Kennedy won the opening Supersport race at Brands to secure an unassailable lead at the top of the championship standings and clinch his fifth British title in that class.

Scott Swann was fourth and David Allingham seventh in the first National Superstock event, won by Milenco by Padgett's Honda rider Luke Mossey.

Joe Talbot was second to reduce his deficit at the top of the series to eight points behind third-placed finisher Davey Todd ahead of Sunday's final race.