MotorcycleRaceParts - TYSERS | BSB Brands Hatch GP Final 2022

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BSB Brands Hatch Final 2022

Tunstall Concludes Successful 2022 Season

The 2022 BSB season finale saw Tom Tunstall take yet another brace of podium finishes. Ending the championship only 14 points behind season long rival David Shoubridge in second place. Concluding a successful and enjoyable campaign for the MotorcycleRaceParts / TYSERS rider.

The Brands Hatch GP circuit was once again the stage for not only the final round of 2022 but also the last ever Ducati Cup race, the longest running one make series at BSB.

In the championship standings it was a straight fight between Tunstall and Shoubridge being the only riders in with a shot, with the latter enjoying a healthy advantage of 37 points.

Practice was hampered by very light rain as the riders took to the circuit, leaving little to be gleaned from a revised setting the team had made for the Kent track.

Saturday morning’s qualifying was again in tricky conditions, as a cold, damp track slowly dried out. With the wet tyres over heating and slowed by traffic on the final lap Tunstall ended the session in 6th and next to Shoubridge on the grid.

Contradicting the clear forecast another short rain shower only moments before the riders took to the grid, providing a challenge for the teams off track and the riders on it.

With all riders opting for full wet tyres, Tunstall ended lap one in 4th but with Shoubridge and Adon Davie breaking clear in an early lead. Up to third by lap four the pair ahead had a 6 second advantage.

Undeterred Tunstall pushed on and closed the gap to Shoubridge in only 4 laps, taking 2nd place from him and pulling clear straight away. Fourth place was enough for Shoubridge to take the championship title though.

Sunday’s race was once again on a wet and drying track. Tunstall chose full wet tyres but noticed both season long rivals Shoubridge and Baker opting for dry tyres offering a good opportunity for his elusive first win.

Ending lap one in 4th, up to 3rd on lap two and building pace, the safety car was deployed following Lee Devonport’s crash at Clearways, bunching the field up. With plenty of life in the tyres Tunstall galvanised himself for the final push.

However the battle and his plans were curtailed as the race was abandoned just before the safety car entered the pits. Tunstall in third combined with Shoubridge finishing out of the points closed the final tally to just 14.

Tunstall reflected on the races and the season as a whole:
“As a team we made all the right calls in what was a challenging weekend and I’ve been happy with my riding too. The last race was a bit of an anti-climax not getting to race to the flag as that was a real chance for that win, but it doesn’t change the fact we’ve had a great season.”

“Of course its normal to have some disappointment when we lost the chance to fight for the title but hats off and massive congratulations to Shouey. He’s been in this class for five years. That experience plus he’s riding at his best and breaking laps records. He gave us a great benchmark and some great racing throughout the season.”

“I came into this season with one goal – to enjoy my racing again. Without doubt I achieved that and I’ve loved the fresh challenge of the V2. Almost every track we have been starting with a blank set up sheet. It might sound strange but when we started to lead the championship I let myself take it too seriously which kind of got in the way! My fire and passion for racing has been restoked this year though”

“We’ve been the only rider and team to finish every race, only off the podium once all season, pole positions, fastest laps and very close on many occasions to that win. Plenty to be positive about.”

“I’m extremely grateful to all in our team plus all our sponsors and partners who have helped make this year happen. The support from Moto Rapido Ducati has been invaluable. Special thanks to Tysers Insurance – our 15th year working together has been one of our best.”

The 2023 BSB Calendar has been released [below] raising the question as to which bike and grid Tunstall will line up on next year!

2023 British Superbike calendar

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  * Denotes Bank Holiday
  
  All dates are provisional and subject to change