The two British Supersport Championship races at Donington Park at the weekend were reminiscent of the titanic battles of 2021 as Jack Kennedy and Bradley Perie went head to head for each and every lap.

There was nothing to choose between the two riders in either the Sprint or Feature race, the gaps between the two at the chequered flag just 0.094s and 0.060s respectively. But whilst reigning champion Kennedy had won all four races prior to round three, it was Perie who came out on top on both occasions at Donington, making his move on the final lap in the Sprint race but then leading from the front in the Feature.

It was just what the Appleyard Macadam Yamaha rider needed after picking up just one third place finish at Oulton Park from the first two rounds. He still has it all to do to close the gap to the relentless Kennedy but Donington was at least a start.

“We got the season going at Oulton and then stepped it up and really enjoyed ourselves here, which is really what’s it’s all supposed to be about anyway,” Perie confirmed. “We were fast all weekend and whilst the first race was a scrap, the Feature race just felt really long!

“I was trying to stay consistent with my lap times and racing my pitboard. I’m chuffed as it’s my first double since Knockhill last year, which is great as that’s where we’re off to next.”

Mar-Train Racing’s Kennedy wasn’t too despondent with his two runners-up positions though as they helped extend his lead over closest rival Lee Johnston from 24 points to 40, the latter finishing off the podium for the first time in 2022.

“We had a great weekend at Donington Park, we topped every session and qualified on pole position,”Kennedy said. “We led the entire first race and just got pipped to the post at the end.

“We took on a bit of a different strategy for race two but got interrupted with back markers and Brad got a gap on me so I had to use too much tyre to claw him back in. I just couldn’t get close enough for a move on the last lap so I decided to settle for second place.

“All in all it was a great weekend as we extended our championship lead and we look forward to a little break now ahead of Knockhill.”