Yamaha Primed and Ready for Snetterton BSB
Words and images courtesy of Raceways Yamaha
Round 3 of the 2025 Bennetts British Superbike Championship gets underway at Snetterton this weekend. There is another triple-header lying in the pipeline.
Last time out at Donington Park was a dominant affair for championship hopefuls, Raceways Yamaha and Bradley Ray. They achieved 3/3 race wins to secure the top spot in the overall standings. Therefore, they head into the third round of the season with confidence.
In the past, the 2.99-mile Snetterton circuit has proved to be a good match with the Yamaha R1’s characteristics. This bodes well for another strong weekend for Yamaha Motor UK’s Bennetts BSB line-up.
The CP4-powered R1 has held the BSB lap record at the venue since 2022. This is thanks to a blistering time of 1:47.079 set by the 2021 champion, Tarran Mackenzie.
In 2022, Ray, also aboard the Yamaha R1, proved unstoppable to claim a flawless triple victory. This contributed 75 points towards his championship-winning campaign.
Yamaha proved competitive at Snetterton in 2024. Ryde and Kent rode towards the sharp end of the field. Moreover, they showcased the model’s proven prowess around the fast and flowing circuit throughout much of the weekend.
As they head into another weekend of track action, Ray and the Raceways Yamaha outfit have their eyes fixed firmly on resuming their position at the sharp end of the field. Their aim is to extend their championship lead of 12 points over title rival, Glenn Irwin.
In the OMG Nitrous Competitions garage, former Bennetts BSB champion, Ryde, is hungry to achieve his first win of the season.
Having finished runner-up to Ray on two occasions at Donington Park last time out, he heads into the weekend with a point to prove. He has a clear goal in mind.
The opening two rounds of the 2025 Bennetts BSB Championship have been challenging for the McAMS Racing by Mar-Train squad. Kent has ridden to a best place finish of sixth so far this season.
After some worthwhile testing in the break since Donington Park four weeks ago, the team are focused on delivering a strong weekend. They are targeting a bounce-back to the sharp end of the pack.
In the Pirelli National Sportbike Championship, Raceways Yamaha’s R7 rider, Ash Barnes has his sights set on a successful weekend in Norwich.
The Lincolnshire rider produced strong form at Donington Park. He rode to a season-first podium finish. He fought hard to be present at the front of the pack.
Barnes rode to a pole position start at Snetterton in 2024. Although things didn’t go to plan in the race, he feels confident for a fruitful upcoming weekend.
Just a single race lies in store for Barnes and Yamaha’s remaining R7 line-up in the Pirelli National Sportbike Championship. This amplifies the pressure to deliver points for the championship standings.
Bradley Ray
Raceways Yamaha – Bennetts British Superbike Championship
“I’m really looking forward to getting back in the saddle of my Raceways Yamaha R1 at Snetterton this weekend. We’re coming off the back of one of the best weekends of my career last time out. Securing the triple victory at Donington Park was an amazing feeling, and I’m eager to carry that momentum into another weekend of racing. Snetterton is a circuit that I really enjoy. I did the triple there back in 2022, so it’ll bring back some really fond memories. The team and I are ready to turn up and give it our all. Can’t wait to get started!”
Ash Barnes
Raceways Yamaha – Pirelli National Sportbike Championship
“I’m feeling confident that Snetterton will be a good weekend for the team and I. We demonstrated some solid form last time out at Donington Park, and I’m feeling a greater sense of confidence with the Yamaha R7 as the season progresses. Snetterton has been a kind track to me in the past, I secured pole position there last year, but unfortunately things just didn’t go our way in the race. I’m looking forward to returning at the weekend and getting a good result on the board.”