BSS: Kennedy revels in emotional triumph

Dublin rider Jack Kennedy kept his nerve to score an emotional victory for the Northern Ireland-based Mar-Train Yamaha team in the British Supersport class at a rain-lashed Brands Hatch on Easter Monday.

Kennedy's victory over a shortened race distance was only rewarded with half points [12.5], but adding the win to his sixth place in Sunday's opening race leaves him second in the championship standings as the series moves to Thruxton this weekend.

His young team-mate and Superpsort newcomer Taylor Mackenzie was forced to retire from the race at the end of the warm-up lap with a technical problem, but Kennedy put the smiles back on the faces of the team with a dream victory in an incident-hit race, which was declared a result after seven laps as conditions worsened.

Gearlink Kawasaki's streaked away to open up a commanding lead before he crashed out moments before the race was stopped due to oil on the circuit.

The race was restarted but it was clear the problem remained as a string of riders crashed out, including Wilson. The organisers declared the race a result, giving Kennedy the victory from Sam Warren and Billy McConnell.

"I'll take the win no problem. It was treacherous out there and I'm just delighted to bring the bike and myself home in one piece," said Kennedy.

"It was very cold and wet and I just stayed out of trouble as best I could. On Sunday we run with wet front, dry rear and it was starting to come back to me until the rain came again.

"Sixth was okay in the circumstances. Then on Monday it was a case of staying out of trouble again and the front row re-start helped me. It was a strange way to win, but a win's a win."

Mackenzie finished 21st in Sunday's race as he adapted to riding the Yamaha R6 in the wet for the first time.