MotorcycleRaceParts | TYSERS
BSB Brands Hatch GP Finale 2023
Tunstall Signs Off his 2023 Season in Style
MotorcycleRaceParts racer Tom Tunstall concluded his 2023 season in solid style taking a win and fourth place finishes in tricky conditions at Brands Hatch.
Having wrapped up the British Supersport Cup championship Tom Tunstall headed to the season finale at Brands Hatch looking to add to his win tally in the Supersport Cup class.
Conditions throughout practice were tricky with very wet FP1 and held on a patchy drying track for FP2.
Qualifying brought the chance of dry time but still with damp patches off line meant focus and accuracy was crucial. Progressing from Q1 to Q2, Tunstall finished fastest of the Cup riders and 19th overall on the grid for race one. Beating his previous best time on the V2 in the process.
A heavy shower including hail on the run up to Saturday’s Sprint race followed by sun made tyre selection a lottery on a quickly drying track. However the fast woodland section of the circuit was still damp.
Arriving at the grid in full wet set up a speedy change to intermediate rear tyre was the only change time allowed.
Trying to balance an overheating front tyre on the dry sections and search for grip on the damp, Tunstall worked his way up from 4th Cup contender on lap one to lead by lap three.
With two laps to go he was joined by a fast approaching Dave Grace who with inter front tyre had the upper hand.
The pair battled on the final lap but Tunstall held out to take his 8th win of the season!
Sunday’s feature race was in dry but cold conditions and Tunstall struggle with grip throughout the 16 lap race.
Unable to match his pace from qualifying by a second a lap he was powerless to fight for the win and came home in fourth, his only time off the podium in 2023.
With 15 podiums, 8 wins and finishing every race of year, an understandably satisfied Tom Tunstall reviewed his weekend and season:
“Race two wasn’t our strongest but it’s still been another great weekend, great to get another win and a chance to celebrate our seasons work as a team.
Despite starting the year injured it’s been a fantastic season. A lot of fun and I’ve enjoyed riding the lovely little Ducati V2 which has been faultless! I feel like we’ve still got even more potential to get from it too.
The Cup class has been great – close racing all year with some good competition. The plan is to come back again next year with some more development, do our best to defend the title but just as importantly have more fun racing motorbikes!
I have to say a massive thank you to all that have helped and supported us this year. From each member of our small team, to all our partners and supporters who have all played their part to help make this happen. I’m very grateful and go into the winter break smiling!..
See you in 2024!”
The 2024 BSB Calendar was also announced over the weekend over 11 rounds including the first to be held in Spain!
2024 Provisional Bennetts BSB Dates
| Round | Date | Circuit |
| Round 1 | 20/21 April | Circuito de Navarra |
| Round 2 | 4 -6 May | Oulton Park |
| Round 3 | 17-19 May | Donington Park GP |
| Round 4 | 14-16 June | Knockhill |
| Round 5 | 5-7 July | Snetterton |
| Round 6 | 19-21 July | Brands Hatch GP |
| Round 7 | 9-11 August | Thruxton |
| Round 8 | 24-26 August | Cadwell Park |
| Round 9 | 13-15 September | Oulton Park |
| Round 10 | 27-29 September | Donington Park GP |
| Round 11 | 11-13 October | Brands Hatch GP |
