2023 Bennetts British Superbikes: Oulton Park Showdown, Race 2, Safety Car restart

The replay of the Safety Car restart in the second Bennetts British Superbike Championship race at Oulton Park
Tommy Bridewell was issued a long lap penalty for unsafe conduct under the Safety Car

[@bobeyes3284]

By the time the leader realised he went too soon, the pack was flat out. Very lucky the leaders wasn't taken out.

[@macsmith6216]

A long way from flat out

[@theant9821]

​@@macsmith6216if yu decide to back the pack up you can't just brake check everyone. Youve got to gradually slow down, tommy left it too late so slowed suddenly catching everyone else off gaurd. It was dangerous, lucky there was no contact. No one was impressed with Tommy's handling of the restart.

[@robertgee8292]

Tommy Bridewell doesn’t have mirrors on the bike so it’s not his fault if someone runs into the back of you on the road who fault is it .I think it should have been classed as a racing incident.

[@roberty945]

He's a racer he knew exactly where people would be

[@gazbowman]

Someone did it at knockhill years ago coming into the hairpin! I can’t remember who it was but back wheels were in the air all over the place

[@simonfowler7561]

So what rule or regulation did Bridewell break??? SURELY the race leader sets his chosen pace and the others must follow with no overtaking???

[@MATTYBIGHEAD]

He'd already dropped back, he realised he went too early then slammed on nearly stopped. Got to set a consistent pace as a leader, can't go then stop that's asking for trouble

[@pabsocs]

You can’t go, then decide not to go, then go again. It’s dangerous. You think the six riders that all avoided a massive accident and threw their hands up after are all in the wrong? Take tommies backside off your lips and think about it objectively

[@earllogan6223]

Why brake so hard, what was bridewell thinking or trying to achieve

[@macsmith6216]

Race direction said it was unsafe conduct

[@macsmith6216]

⁠@@MATTYBIGHEAD
“Slammed on Nearly stopped” what utter rubbish

[@left-hand-threaded]

Camier did the same , it’s under lead bike to dictate the pace , why are they contradicting their own rules

[@paulmaxey6377]

The way I understand the rule (and it has been stated in other restarts) you are not allowed to go, brake hard to a almost stand still and go again. Because it is a safety risk as those behind the leader once he goes the first time think that the leader has started racing again and if the leader brakes hard the riders behind can crash into each other causing a big crash and with riders being so close riders can get hurt or even killed if they get run over. That is the reason the riders gave after the safety car incident at Snetterton last year when 4 riders got penalties for overtaking the safety car. They said they couldn't slow down because of the riders behind and force them to harsh brake and cause an incident. That and that some thought the safety car was already in but it hadn't passed the safety car in line.

[@123divad]

They mentioned , a twitter spat over this? Back in the day it would be a chat in the pits with a beer, maybe so fisty cuffs😂

[@s1dew1nd3r4]

well its not back in the day is it, get over it.

[@russ3092]

No brainer, Bridewell did nothing wrong, those that past Bridewell or anyone in front of them are at fault and should have a penalty. Those behind clearly gain an advantage (or try to) under safety car and push the boundaries of the rules by riding so close or even alongside, so if they choose to do this it is surely at their own risk if they can't control their bike to enable them to stay behind those infront.

[@njirk52]

I disagree. Bridewell was very dangerous. Could have been a big accident.

[@russ3092]

The only way there could have been an accident is by a rider behind riding too close and not in control of their bike sufficiently to be able to stay behind whoever is in front of them, perhaps they should all have to maintain at least a bike length rather than try to effectively cheat by riding alongside!

[@MATTYBIGHEAD]

He'd already set off then nearly came to a stop when he realised he was too close to the safety car. Once he goes everyone else goes, he can't then slam on its so dangerous with a full pack of riders behind him

[@russ3092]

They are under safety car they shouldn't be so close

[@freedom4639]

He was wrong put your dummies away.

[@mikebennett4478]

Grid em up. Heck w safety car

[@techtipsuk]

Poor Tommy was robbed here. The other guys should have been more prepared.

[@alangibson3332]

To egregiously to go but it was up to him when to go and everyone had to wait and it was up to them to hold back but they put all the blame on him 😮

[@Mick-67]

Chatty Man lol 😆

[@staneverts2372]

Utter nonsense 🤬

[@fishyfool]

I can't watch the races, why would I want to watch this?

[@pabsocs]

Well thanks for letting us all know

[@oldsanta7232]

You can, your just a tightarse

[@danielt8960]

​@@oldsanta7232😂😂 👏

[@stevebanks-xz6lc]

Race control set the rules fact so deal with it.