If not for a crash whilst leading at Silverstone, Ray could have been looking at a start to the 2022 BSB season where three wins and another thre𝔍e podiums was a distinct possibility. 

But even with the mistake at the season opener, Ray has now taken over the championship lead from Glenn Irwin after a domi💝nant performance at Oulton Park. 

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Fastest in Friday practice with a new lap record, Ray’s weekend only got better after winning🐷 race one - his first win in four years. 

The Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha rider then took 🐬victory in race two, befo🍨re looking like a hat-trick was on the cards. 

However, an issue with his right arm led to Ray struggling to keep the same pace that helped him build a 2.5 second lead, instead Tommy Bridewell and Lee Jackson closed in, ꦍand with it Ray’s attempt at winning £50.000 was in real danger. 

For any rider that could complete a hat-trick of wins at Oulton Park and Doningon (Ray’s first two BSB win♛s came at Donington), £50.000 in prize money was to be awarded. 

But after losing the lead to Bridewell, Jackson came through with immediate effect before going on to dominant the🦹 final five laps. 

Neverth🌳eless, it’s by far Ray’s most consistent start to a season, and one that’s clearly positioned him as an early season favourite. 

🦩"It has been a great weekend for us and it feels good to leave with the championship lead," said Ray. "The last race was difficult; I tried to put in as many fast laps as I could and pulled a gap but I struggled a bit in the latter part of the race. I tried everything I could but I just couldn’t hold the gap.

"I gave it everything and Lee had unbelievable pace at the end of the race so congratulations to him. I was ha❀ppy to have another podium, it wasn’t anot🔯her win but it has been a good weekend for me.

"I’m happy going to any traꦺck now with the Rich Energy OMG Racing Yamaha and I am feeling good in myself, so I am looking forward to a reboot and be ready to go again at Donington Park."

Kawasaki back in the groove after first BSB win since August 2019

While it was a breakthrough weekend in terms of rediscoveri♈ng his winning touch for Ray, FS-3 Kawasaki rider Jackson a⛄lso clinched his maiden BSB win.

A victory that was a long time coming for Jackson, the Britis🐻h rider had been outshone for much of the opening two rounds by younger team-mate Rory Skinner, however, when it mattered most Jackson found unrelenting pace in order to streak ꦕclear.

Before doing so, even Jackson felt a victory was impossible after initially struggling in the early laps, but once Bridewell came through, the🍎 Ducati rider🎃 served as somewhat of a benchmark as Jackson rapidly found the feeling needed aboard his ZX10-RR.  

Jackson added: "The race for me started a bit slow and I didn’t actually feel that great. I struggled to get into a comfortable rhythm as the pace was really fast. Once Tommy Bridewell passed me I found the rhythm I needed straight away and gave me that edge to get to the⛎ front.

൲"Tommy did a lot of the hard work chasing Brad down and as soon as we got to him, I saw that the pace had dropped♓. I knew I had the pace so I just made the passes as soon as I could as the laps were counting down and I knew I had to try and break him.

"I tried to relax on the last lap and we have worked hard as a team toജ get t💙his win today. I work hard and I am my own biggest critic and I feel like I am good enough now. I want to keep this ball rolling now so maybe a cheeky cider and a McDonalds to celebrate tonight!

"We have got the bike working well now and moving to Donington Park, I feel like we will still have ไthe pace to have another good weekend there."