Update midday Sunday: Stewards have rejected Honda's appeal and Irwin will not start today's opening race.

Honda’s Andrew Irwin has been handed a one-race ban for re-starting his Fireblade following a crash in the opening Bennetts British Superbike race at Oulton.

But the sanction has been appealed by his team and stewards will re-convene at 10am tomorrow for a final decision.

If it is upheld, Irwin will not be able to take part in the second of the weekend’s races and his chances of making the Showdown will be severely curtailed.

Stewards are of the opinion that fluid from Irwin’s bike caused subsequent crashes and the offence is severe enough for him to be banned and three penalty points added to the two already on his tally.