Quattro Kawasaki’s Irwin has had a poor start to this Bennetts British Superbike season as he struggles to get used to the more aggressive 2019 ZX-10R but a well-publicised change in crew chief for Donington has seen a step in the right direction, he says.

Irwin used the 2018 ex-Leon Haslam bike in winter testing but when the red-topped 2019 version turned up, made with lighter engine internals for 600 more rpm among other things, it was another step away from the lumpy Panigale V-twin he was used to.

“Donington Park was definitely a step in the right direction and my best weekend of the season so far. It might not seem like we have a lot to shout about but we have improved in the races and that is what is important,” said Irwin.

“It’s not all just about one thing; we are working on the bike and also there is more to come from me, but going to Brands Hatch I feel good because I had podiums and a win there on the Grand Prix circuit last year. Hopefully we can get comfortable there and get stuck in.

“It has been good working with Phil Marron and at Donington Park we made a key change and it really felt like a step in the right direction. That continuity will help coming into Brands Hatch and I think we can push on and build up; the times were showing that we were getting closer to where we need to be so I am looking forward to getting back to Brands Hatch.”