McConnell was in contention to hold onto his slender points advantage while running third after a win yesterday, but an off-track excursion late in the race allowed Tyco BMW’s Farmer to hold off Olsen for the win.

At the start, it was pole-sitter Josh Elliott who grabbed the early advantage ahead of Alex Olsen and Billy McConnell, but a bit of contact heading into Shell Oils on the very first lap knocked Olsen back to fourth as Farmer and McConnell slotted through.

But it was all over for OMG Racing Suzuki’s Elliott before even completing a lap as he lost the front at Lodge and put paid to any hopes of victory.

Back at the front, former champ Farmer was still leading McConnell, but the leading duo had become a group of five as Geo Davies & Smirk Racing’s Leon Jeacock, Lee Jackson and Olsen hopped onto their coattails.

McConnell sneaked through on Farmer at Island, but the Northern Irishman struck back straight away at Shell Oils and regained the lead before McConnell slid up the inside at Lodge.

And the trouble wasn’t yet over for Farmer as Olsen took second place from him heading into Old Hall, putting him into the clutches of Jackson as Olsen continued ahead to pass McConnell to begin lap five.

As the sun began to peek through the clouds and dry up sections of the track, Olsen stretched a second over Farmer and McConnell. But Farmer soon caught Olsen and with five laps to go, the leading five became four after birthday boy Jackson slid out of contention after he hit the deck on his FS-3 Racing Kawasaki at Lodge.

The pack began to stretch out again, however, and moments before Farmer hit the lead with a pass on ASTRO-JJR Racing’s Olsen at Island, McConnell’s championship charge took a hit as he ran off at Lodge, with the Aussie rejoining in seventh.

While Olsen tried to make a final charge, Farmer made sure he had no chance after pulling out a 1.672s advantage to take the flag and regain the series lead, while Bathams BMW’s Taylor Mackenzie fended off EHA Racing Aprilia’s Joe Collier for the final rostrum place.

Heading to Brands with only one race and 25 points left up for grabs, Farmer leads his only title contender McConnell by 10.5 points.

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