Ray hails “unbelievable” first BSB victory

Bradley Ray has reflected on his “unbelievable” maiden Bennetts British Superbike championship race win after the young gun saw off experienced rivals Shane Byrne and James Ellison during a late race attack.

The Buildbase Suzuki rider stormed into the lead on lap six passing Ellison up the inside at Redgate before building an impressive time gap over the chasing pack during the middle third of the 18-lap race.

Despite looking assured at the front Ray was reeled in by Ellison and Byrne on the final lap, with the 20-year-old feeling the pressure after making a mistake on the exit of the Fogarty Esses, but held his nerve around the final two corners to power to the line for his first-ever BSB race win.

Having beaten an accomplished field including multiple BSB champions and race winners Ray revelled in the feat at the Hawk Racing-run Buildbase Suzuki’s home round.

“I tried to keep my cool as much as possible but it is so difficult when you are coming up to win your first British Superbike race,” Ray said. “It is an incredible feeling.

“On the second to last lap my board came up with +1.2s and I thought I would try to keep my cool and use that advantage for the last two laps but on the last lap my board said +0s and I thought ‘oh that’s it’, I’ve got a race on here.

“I made a mistake coming out of the Fogarty Esses and I could hear the Yamaha behind me ready to make a move so I tried to brake as late as possible and pin it to the apex. I managed to drive out of Melbourne okay but then I heard the Ducati coming after me so I brake late for that, stopped the bike and fired it out.

“Luckily I had enough to get to the line. To get my first win in the first round of the year is just unbelievable.”