WD40 Kawasaki’s Tarran Mackenzie clinched his third Dickies British Supersport win this season in what could be a heavy contender for race of the year. Across the line, the top three were covered by just 0.061 of a second and the breakaway group of five were covered by less than a quarter of a second.

FAB-Racing Yamaha’s Brad Ray took the holeshot from pole position but was quickly rivalled by Andrew Irwin, who battled through as he often does to the front of the race.

However, quickly joining the act was Mackenzie, along with Came BPT Yamaha’s James Westmoreland and Acumen Triumph’s Luke Jones.

As the group went past the half race stage, Irwin had dropped backwards to the battle for seventh once a safety car had been in and out for an incident at Sheene Curve.

Ray held the lead despite continued pressure from behind, before at the end of the back straight, Mackenzie and Westmoreland were able to dive through.

From there the lead was spread and shared amongst the top four but at the crucial time, with just a lap remaining, it was Mackenzie at the front of the pack.

As the group dived into Surtees, Westmoreland made a surprise lunge for the lead and managed to hold the line to maintain the lead. However, on the following run down the back straight, Westmoreland’s Yamaha came to a stop and his hard work ended with no result.

It left Mackenzie, Ray and Jones to fight for the lead and the Scotsman held it before at Stirlings, Ray dived past for the lead.

In a Hopkins-Hill style finish, Ray ran wide at Clearways and allowed Mackenzie to get the drag to the finish line. As they took the chequered flag, Mackenzie was 0.052 ahead of Ray, who in turn did well to hold off Jones; by 0.009 of a second in the end.

Fourth place went the way of Mason Law and EHA Racing’s David Allingham had to settle for fifth place, despite finishing just 0.232 behind the eventual race winner.

Appleyard Macadam’s Luke Hedger impressed on his debut ride for the team to take sixth place, coming through 0.082 of a second clear of a struggling Andy Reid.

A double win last time out saw Reid close the championship gap to one point but a seventh place in this first race has allowed Mackenzie to stretch his championship lead out to 17 points.

Rounding out the top ten were Joe Francis, Matt Truelove and CF Motorsport’s Ben Currie.

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