Dominant Donington double leaves Ray speechless

Bennetts British Superbike championship leader Bradley Ray says he never expected to dominate at the 2018 season opener at Donington Park after doubling up with a perfect performance in race two.

The Buildbase Suzuki rider followed up his maiden BSB win from race one with a flawless charge to victory in tricky conditions after heavy rain soaked the Leicestershire circuit during the morning which triggered the schedule reshuffle.

Ray bolted from pole position to lead the opening lap before quickly pulling away at the front from his more experienced BSB rivals Leon Haslam and Dan Linfoot.

Despite seeing Haslam eat into his time advantage midway through race two the 20-year-old matched the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider’s lap times to steady the gap before easing to his impressive double at the 2018 opener.

“To be honest I didn’t this was possible,” Ray said. “It is the start that I wanted but as a rookie from last year coming into the new season it is definitely not what I expected at all. We were expecting to be up with the riders at the front but not to be leading races and winning races.

“It certainly helped me starting from pole position and leading on the first few laps to get to the dry points before everyone else to make a little gap early on.

“It is one of those races that you’ve got to take a risk but I didn’t want to take too much of a risk but today I was up for it and wanted to go for it. The bike has been working really well all weekend and the improvements the boys have done over the winter have definitely helped.

“It is an unbelievable feeling and I honestly cannot explain how I am feeling now. It I am absolutely speechless.”

Asked how he plans to celebrate his maiden BSB wins, Ray says he’s hoping for a special celebration back home in Lydd.

“I am driving back to Kent tonight in the campervan so there might be a special celebration at home,” he said. “A cheeky McDonalds too!”