"Lucky neutral" saves "amazing" double win for Jack Kennedy in Silverstone

Mar-Train Yamaha’s Jack Kennedy was victorious in both British Supersport races in Silverstone at the 2022 season opener, as the reigning champion kicked off his title defence.

Both Silverstone races involved Kennedy battling with one of his main rivals from 2021,  Appleyard Macadam’s Bradley Perie. 

A retirement for Perie in the first race allowed Kennedy to have a relatively straightforward run to the flag from the midpoint of the race onwards, and he eventually finished seven seconds ahead of Lee Johnston. 

Saturday’s disappointment for Perie made it imperative that he reclaim ground in the championship. Kennedy is a formidable opponent, and losing 25 points in the first race of the season is not the way to go about beating him. 

Perhaps it was this feeling that caused the last lap mistake by Perie, who crashed at Brooklands on the final lap while battling with Kennedy. 

The reigning champion was quite fortunate that Perie crashed, since Kennedy himself had hit a false neutral on the entry to Brooklands, and was forced to run wide as a result. Despite the off-track excursion at the end, Kennedy was still able to win by 12 seconds in the Sunday race, and overall it is difficult to imagine a better start to a title defence for the #1.

Kennedy’s points lead ahead of round two Oulton Park is 10 points over Lee Johnston, who finished second in both races, while Harry Truelove is 18 points in deficit to Kennedy, after two third place finishes on his Appleyard Macadam debut.

“Amazing to come away from here with two wins,” Kennedy said. “This is a track that can throw up strange results and anything can happen here. I feel really lucky to be coming away with two maximum point score finishes, 50 points in the bag is amazing,” he continued. 

Kennedy added, “I got a lucky neutral in the last lap, which never happens - that saved me from being taken out. I need to count my lucky ducks and move on to the next race and like I said, I am amazed and feel so lucky and really happy.”

Mar-Train Yamaha team owner, Tim Martin, said, “A successful Silverstone for us. Pole position for the first race, and two wins. That’s Jacks 50th pole and 51st win in his career. This is our second time doing a pole and two wins as a team.”