2022 BSB Brands Hatch Qualifying Results | Irwin on pole, alludes to Honda exit

Title contender Glenn Irwin will start the final round of the 2022 British Superbike Championship (BSB) on pole position for what looks like being his swansong as a Honda Racing rider.

The Ulsterman was in the right place at the right time when he hit the front with a 1m 25.168 just before spitting rain began falling harder with five minutes of the session remaining, prompting the riders to return to the pit-lane to sit out the final moments.

Irwin is one of three riders with a chance of winning the 2022 BSB title at the Brands Hatch season finale, but remains a major outsider versus Bradley Ray, who commands a 66 point advantage with a maximum of 75 available.

Nevertheless, Irwin did his bit, while Ray - who needs a seventh place finish to secure the title in Race 1 regardless of where his Honda rival finishes - starts sixth.

Meanwhile, amid rumours circulating in the BSB paddock this weekend, Irwin left a clear hint that he won’t remain with Honda for the 2023 season, telling Eurosport ‘I’ve enjoyed my time, its been an amazing three years, maybe that has been my last qualifying session’.

The Ulsterman joined Honda at the start of the 2020 season with the launch of the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade and has been linked with a return to the Paul Bird Ducati team that gave him his BSB break in 2018. Regardless, Irwin’s exit from Honda would be seen as a surprise given it afforded him the opportunity to pursue a road racing career, leading to his eye-catching debut on the Isle of Man TT, which yielded a new fastest lap for a newcomer.

Joining Irwin on the front row will be Peter Hickman - who is gunning for the BSB Riders’ Cup - and Tommy Bridewell, the other rider mathematically in with a shot at the 2022 BSB title.

Kyle Ryde got the better of Ray to be the best placed OMG Yamaha rider in fourth, ahead of Danny Buchan, who is level on points with Riders’ Cup rival Hickman heading into Race 1.

With Ray completing the second row, behind him will be Andrew Irwin, Jason O’Halloran and Josh Brookes.

2022 BSB | Brands Hatch | Qualifying RESULTS