Jack Kennedy is 2024 British Supersport champion

Words and images courtesy Honda Racing

In a dramatic Saturday at Brands Hatch for the Bennetts British Superbike season finale, Jack Kennedy secured the British Supersport championship for Honda Racing UK with win number nine of the season.

Changeable October weather played a crucial part in the trajectory of the day’s racing as almost every session that Honda Racing UK participated in was in different conditions. And with so much at stake, cool heads were required to ensure that the right decisions were made at all the right times whilst under enormous pressure. 

For Jack Kennedy and his crew, tyre choice in a wet but drying qualifying session was critical to providing Jack with the bike, and rubber, underneath him to rocket his way to pole position. Then as the red flag was waved bringing his race to a premature end, they made the right call once more to send him back out on wet tyres in the  five-lap restarted race. From pole once more and with his championship rivals opting for slicks, Jack launched away from the line and rode off into the distance with the rain intensifying to secure his ninth win of the season and championship victory. 

Already the most decorated British Supersport rider in history, Kennedy rewrites the history books as a five times champion and becomes the first Honda rider to win the British Supersport crown since Sam Lowes in 2010. With one race still remaining this season he has so far raced to nine victories (including two doubles – Knockhill & Brands Hatch), four seconds and a further two third place finishes. 

“I am absolutely lost for words,” said Kennedy. “I did not expect this today at all, I really didn’t think that I could get it done because the championship is too close and I thought there was no way that Ben or Luke wouldn’t finish in the top three. I think it all started with qualifying onwards and making the right decisions at all the right times. I want to say a massive, massive thank you to this Honda team, I get to go out on track and show everybody my class but I wouldn’t be able to do it without the team. 

“It is down to these last-minute decisions and how quickly you can make the changes, and you know, we have changed our mind about tyres for most of the weekend with the weather. In the race we made a brave choice to go for wet tyres because as we left for the grid the rain wasn’t that heavy. Then on the grid I was screaming to myself inside my helmet because I knew we made the right decision and the rain was getting heavier and heavier. I felt that I was riding a safe race and the gap just kept getting bigger and bigger, which is such a good feeling.

“I want to thank everybody who helps me, all my sponsors, my family, and everyone who supports, everyone knows how much hard work goes on behind the scenes to pull something like this off so I want to say thank you. I can enjoy tonight, relax tomorrow a little, but not on track because anyone who knows me will know I will be going out again tomorrow to get that win.” 

Team Manager Havier Beltran added: “What a fantastic result for Jack and the team! Jack has been a breath of fresh air in the team this year and he has impressed me enormously with his determination, professionalism and attention to detail. His hunger to secure his fifth championship and to help drive this project forward has been relentless, and this championship victory is a just reward for his remarkable talent on a motorcycle. It is also a credit to every member of this team, it is their dedication, their commitment to the long hours and their unwavering work ethic that has built the platform on which Jack can deliver on the circuit. There is not a single team member who has not impressed me this year and I thank every one of them for their contribution to this team.”