Championship leader, Jimmy Dye taught the Triumph Triple Challenge riders a lesson in domination this weekend at Brands Hatch in Kent, by taking pole position and three race wins.

Dye set the pace in first qualifying at Brands Hatch Indy circuit lapping in 49.055secs. He was so confident in his blistering lap time that he actually sat out the second session!

He was joined on the front row by Phil Atkinson who picked up a stunning double win last time out to pull himself up to joint second place in the Championship hunt. Tommy Dale, who has been coming on strong over the past two meetings, lined up in third place at his favourite circuit.

Completing the aggressive front row was Chris Northover who left Mallory Park in joint second place with Atkinson. He only completed four laps opting to save his tyres and energy for the race later in the day. Brands Hatch hasn’t always been kind to Northover so he was hoping it would go in his favour this time round.

There was one faller during qualifying and that was Adam Boyle who crashed at Paddock Hill bend. Thankfully he was unhurt and was able to start the race from sixth place on the second row of the grid.

Duncan Knox was the first of the TDG Cup riders settling into 15^th place overall. Adam Kemp was second and Chad Hashmi took third. Richard Steadman had an eventful session out braking himself at Druids and running on into the gravel.

Dye said: “I was on standby in pitlane just in case I needed to go back out, but I didn’t put any more laps on my tyres. I’ve got a nice fresh set ready for the race. When I set the time this morning I thought it might be good enough to stay at least on the front row so that is why I sat it out. Brands is my local track and I’m looking forward to racing here both on the short Indy track and again in two weeks time on the longer GP track.”

Race one on Saturday got off to a smouldering start with Dye jumping straight into the lead, with only seven laps over the short circuit he knew he needed to get away and he did just that. He gapped the chasing pack immediately and finished the race an impressive 4.292secs ahead of Chris Northover.

The Atkinson-Northover battle resumed as they slotted into second and third places respectively. There was no catching Dye so they settled into picking up the remaining podium positions. Atkinson was leading the way with Northover hot on his heels, with just a lap to go Norhtover made his move stealing second place from the hard riding South African.

The TDG Cup was also drama packed with Championship leader Duncan Knox taking a well earned win. He didn’t have the race all his own way as Hashmi got a brilliant start and settled into his leading position. Like the Michelin Cup, Knox sat behind him and capitalised on Hashmi being passed by two others, he followed suit and snatched the lead on the last lap.

Third place went to Adam Kemp who had a very bad but spectacular start wheelying off the line.

Dye said: “I didn’t know how close behind they were so after the race finished I looked round and there was no one there. I wouldn’t have pushed so hard if I had realised! I really enjoyed it as I’ve not won for a while and I like it here. I’m not making any changes to the bike for Sunday, she is all good. My plan is a good start and just go.”

Northover said: “It was hot and oily out there but it was good. I got behind Phil and hoped he’d put a move on Jimmy but that didn’t happen. So I just waited until the last lap and mugged him. I’ll have to get him some flowers or something. I’m going to make my bike faster for Sunday but I’m not telling you how!”

Atkinson said: “It was ok I just didn’t have the pace to stay with Jimmy and then I got robbed at the end. I’ll just have to try harder on Sunday.”

Knox said: It was a good race I really enjoyed it. I got a good start but Chad got an awesome start so I slotted into second and sat behind him to work out where I had more pace. On the penultimate lap two Michelin Cup riders passed him and messed up his drive so I got a run on him into Clearways. Tomorrow I want the same again, I’m happy with my pace so next time I’m not going to sit there I’m going to go, I’d like the full 50 points.”

Hashmi said: “Duncan rode well and got me on the last lap – well done to him. I’ll have another go tomorrow as tomorrow is another day.”

Kemp said: “I got a bad start as the front came up and as I shut it off about six people came past me. I tried to make up some places in turn one; I got to third so that is ok. Tomorrow I’m going to win!”

Sunday dawned to cooler conditions compared to Saturday but that didn’t stop the action on track being as hot as ever. Dye once again took the hole-shot into Paddock Hill but Northover wasted no time in taking the lead from him as he pushed his way under the local rider at Druids. A lap later Dye gave Northover the same treatment also at Druids but Northover got the drive and passed him at Graham Hill bend with Atkinson also joining in on the move relegating Dye to third. He didn’t stay third for long coming across the line on lap two in second place.

The TDG Cup riders were also digging in for the ten lap race with Knox leading the way from Hashmi and Kemp slotting into third place. Within the overall race they were running in 12^th, 13^th and 18^th positions respectively.

Northover maintained his lead for five laps as Dye held onto the back of him not letting him get away. Mike Russell took a tumble on lap five bringing out the yellow flags at Graham Hill bend; he limped away from the crash but intends to be out in the next one once his bike has been patched up.

Toby Markham was on the move and slipped into podium contention by passing Atkinson for third place. Dye resumed his lead on lap six and was just 0.045secs ahead of Northover as they crossed the line. The TDG Cup riders were on the move with Hashmi taking the lead and also moving through the pack to ninth place, Knox was forced back to second place but running in tenth overall, while Kemp had gained 15^th.

Northover charged into the lead on lap eight through the tricky Paddock Hill bend but Dye wasn’t going to be outdone at his home circuit and forced his way back into the lead holding Northover off by just 0.031secs. Markham took the final Michelin Cup podium place relegating Atkinson to fourth place and forcing him off the podium.

Hashmi took the TDG Cup win from Knox and Kemp had to settle for another third place.

Dye said: “That was a great battle, every lap we were passing but it did slow down the pace. Chris was riding well and was difficult to pass. It was good fun and I’m real happy.”

Northover said: “That was awesome and it was the battle we wanted. I didn’t breath for ten laps. It was a good close battle and you know once you put a move on Jimmy you will get it straight back at you Pity I didn’t get him on the last lap but there is still one more race to go.”

Markham said: “A couple of places further up the podium would have been better but it’s good to get a podium. I was watching Jimmy and Chris slow each other up and on the second to last lap I spun up and lost time, Phil was on my tail too so I had to ride defensive and not push to catch them. I’m happy with third.”

Hashmi said: “I got a bad start again! Well done to Duncan, Adam, Chris and Jimmy. I just kept cool and worked my way through the pack. At Druids Duncan went wide so I got him, then I put my head down and held him off. Hopefully I’ll do the same again for the final race.”

Knox said: “That was hot. It was a good race and I got a good start. I settled into a rhythm and got away with some of the red bikes. I watched my lap board and was doing ok. I caught Tommy Dale and went wide at Paddock so I didn’t have the momentum for Druids so Chad passed me. I latched on the back of him but I had no drive to pass him as my back tyre was just spinning.”

Kemp said: “I got a bad start but managed to claw back a few places and catch the front of my group. I needed a few more laps but my times improved and it was an enjoyable race. I’m happy but I still want to win.”

The final race of the day was to be as dramatic as ever with both the Michelin Cup and the TDG Cup riders doffing each other up throughout the ten lap race.

Dye was taking no prisoners and promptly cut Atkinson’s nose off into Paddock Hill bend on the opening lap. Atkinson did his best to overhaul Dye for the lead but simply could get a run on him as they were running the same fast pace. They broke away at the front in their own private battle and finished just 0.221sec apart.

Markham was pleased to pick up his second third place off the day but had to fend off the attentions of Northover. Unfortunately for the Hinckley rider his engine warning light came on just as the race started leaving his machine down on power. He settled for the points from fourth place and has maintained his second place in the championship whilst slightly gapping Atkinson.

Freddy Pett, Emmet O’Grady, Ben Miller and Tommy Dale kept the mid pack action going as the four of them duked it out for fifth place. This four bike freight train was superb to watch as the young riders got the grips with the challenging Indy circuit.

The TDG Cup riders were fairing to fairing all race long with Knox taking the early lead. Hashmi stole the lead on lap five through Paddock but Knox fought back immediately on the run into Druids. Hashmi got back through over the line but Knox pushed him hard again on lap seven with the pair leaning on each other. Knox had a last lap move lined up for Clearways but lack of grip caught him out and he had to settle for second place by just 0.02secs.

 Dye said: “I’m bloody happy! I expected Chris to come past me but he didn’t, I rode by myself all race and didn’t see anyone. It was a much calmer race than last time round. I’m really looking forward to coming back here in two weeks to race on the full GP circuit. Let’s see if I can do the same again then!”

Atkinson said: “That was better I think I just need more track time and start the weekend how we are now finishing rather than playing catch up and having to work on set-up. I haven’t raced here since 2008 so it was like starting over again to learn the track. I just couldn’t catch Jimmy as we had the same speed. At least next time I’ve only got part of the track to learn.”

Markham said: “Two third places isn’t bad but I’d still like to do better. Jimmy and Phil went in the first couple of laps as I was tentative over the where the oil had been earlier in the day. I kept the same gap to them but couldn’t close it. Chris was behind me and I was waiting for him to have a go but he didn’t. I’m happy enough and looking forward to the next round.”

Hashmi said: “I got an average start but I thought ‘I need to win.’ So I kept my head down and passed some of the young guns. That is when the big battle started and I was lucky to win. I know the GP circuit so I feel confident for the next one.”

Knox said: “That was a good race and I was looking at my board and could see plus zero so I knew it was Chad. He passed me at Graham Hill bend and the fighting began. I had better drive at Clearways so I showed him a wheel at Paddock, at one point I lost the front into Paddock and he squared off the corner and got me. I knew I had the drive at Clearways but my tyre spun so Chad got the win. It was close so well done Chad, it’s frustrating to lose by just 0.02secs. I’ve extended my championship lead so that is the main thing.”

The championship returns to track in two weekends time, 6^th – 8^th August at the Kent circuit of Brands Hatch GP.