Two pole positions and two race wins at penultimate round.
Australia’s Ben Currie secured the 2023 British Supersport Championship at Donington Park, delivering a perfect weekend at the penultimate round of the season with two pole positions and two race wins.
Currie signalled his intentions at the 10th round with a convincing qualifying performance ahead of the sprint race, securing P1 on the grid six-tenths clear of Zak Corderoy (Gearlink Kawasaki).
From there, the Oxford Products Racing Ducati rider rode on to take a 2.775s victory in race one, wrapping up the title courtesy of his fifth win of the season.
“We worked hard that first part of the season to keep ourselves in the championship fight, to work our way around the V2, the team and myself,” said Currie. “We made massive steps from the start of the season. In the last half of the season it seemed a dream, podiums on the bounce, and five wins now. I’m absolutely over the moon. I don’t know what to say really, I can’t believe it.
“I was concentrating so hard on winning that race I’d forgotten that I could have won the championship. Now we’re standing here, I’ve got the trick gold helmet, and dreams have become a reality.
“Looking back and with this being a long time coming, we’ve been grinding for years and years and years. It hasn’t come easy. We always worked hard and believed we could do this, and we didn’t listen to the critics who said I couldn’t do it. And now we’re here and we can celebrate.
“I want to say a huge thanks to everyone who got me here. This is not a one-man band. This is a team effort by everyone, sponsors, supporters, family, team. Thanks so much, this win is for everyone.”
Currie went on to conclude the memorable weekend by winning the feature race in tricky wet conditions at Donington. Fellow Australian Tom Toparis (Macadam Racing) moved up to third in the championship standings across the weekend, as the final round of the season takes place on 13-15 October at Brands Hatch.