It was a stunning weekend for Appleyard Macadam Yamaha at Silverstone as the team dug deep after recent disappointments to put themselves back in the frame for the Quattro British Supersport Championship. Bradley Perie took a win and second place as Rhys Irwin secured pole position and a double podium.
The weekend started off in damp conditions with riders circulating four seconds off their dry pace, playing into the hands of Rhys who immediately went second quickest. Brad found his feet in the dry second session, just 0.184 off the fastest time.
Qualifying was a tense affair as riders jostled for clear track time at this exciting, short circuit. A clearly confident Rhys pulled out a stellar 55.698 second lap (under the lap record) to take his first ever pole position. Brad was actually on his fastest lap of the weekend when the red flag came down to shorten the session, leaving him on Row 2 in P4.
There was some expectation in the Appleyard garage ahead of Saturday’s 18 lap Sprint Race with both riders looking so strong. Rhys initially had a poor start from pole; dropping him down the order but he soon regrouped to reach and battle with the leaders. Brad fought for the lead with Lee Johnston throughout the race but GP2 rider Charlie Nesbitt also got involved with totally different lines, making him hard to pass. At the flag Brad took second place and Rhys third for a hard-won maiden podium. The race also saw Jack Kennedy crash out, knocking him off the top of the Championship table giving Ben Currie the lead.
The longer 25 lap Feature race was always going to be tough on tyres at this predominantly right-handed circuit, although the pace was no less frenetic in another dramatic encounter. After a lacklustre launch off the line, the YZF-R6 duo found themselves in lower positions, before pushing through at the halfway mark. Rhys had a great battle with series leaders Kennedy and Currie, taking both their scalps for another P3 podium. Brad timed his run to perfection to take the win from Lee Johnston.
Crucially, Brad has now dramatically reduced his title race deficit from 33 to just five points.
Quattro British Supersport Championship Points: Ben Currie 240, Jack Kennedy 236, Bradley Perie 235 …. 9. Rhys Irwin 95
Team Owner Robin Appleyard said, “Its been a faultless weekend, with no mistakes and such strong performances from both riders. Brad has put himself back in contention and Rhys has shown he can run up the front with his two podiums.”
Bradley Perie said, “What a difference a week makes! We were on the floor after Cadwell and Snetterton but I’m over the moon with how this weekend went. We put in loads of work, so it was a real team effort to be on the pace and battle through for the win.”
Rhys Irwin added, “I’ve had such a great weekend, absolutely unbelievable! The team have given me an incredible bike and to get these results in my Rookie season is fantastic. I feel like we can run with the front lads for the rest of the season now.”
