MCE British Superbike Championship Brands Hatch, England October 20, 2013 Results (all on Pirelli tires):

Race Two (wet conditions): 1. Josh Brookes, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 20 laps, 32:29.715 2. Lee Costello, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -0.196 second 3. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -0.728 4. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9.127 seconds 5. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -16.826 6. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -17.198 7. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -30.805 8. Jon Kirkham, UK (BMW S1000RR), -41.399 9. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Hon CBR1000RR), -48.080 10. Freddy Foray, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -51.836 11. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -63.394 12. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -90.161 13. Matteo Baiocco, Italy (Duc Panigale 1199), -92.626 14. Danny De Boer, Netherlands (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap 15. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap 16. Michael Rutter, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -2 laps, DNF 17. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -3 laps, DNF 18. Karl Harris, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -9 laps, DNF 19. Josh Waters, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -13 laps, DNF 20. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -14 laps, DNF 21. David Linorter, Austria (BMW S1000RR), -14 laps, DNF 22. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -15 laps, DNF, crash 23. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -15 laps, DNF 24. Jamie Poole, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -15 laps, DNF 25. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -16 laps, DNF 26. Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Kaw ZX-10R), -18 laps, DNF 27. Alex Lowes, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -20 laps, DNF, crash

Race Two Results (wet conditions):

1. Josh Brookes, Australia (Suz GSX-R1000), 20 laps, 32:50.906 2. Alex Lowes, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -1.185 seconds 3. Shane Byrne, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -2.587 4. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -4.869 5. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -13.521 6. Jon Kirkham, UK (BMW S1000RR), -16.282 7. James Westmoreland, UK (BMW S1000RR), -16.394 8. Josh Waters, Australia (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.186 9. Chris Walker, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17.387 10. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -20.027 11. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (Hon CBR1000RR), -34.292 12. Peter Hickman, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -39.653 13. Lee Costello, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -39.727 14. Freddy Foray, France (Hon CBR1000RR), -56.442 15. Matteo Baiocco, Italy (Duc Panigale 1199), -65.506 16. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -100.800 17. Danny De Boer, Netherlands (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap 18. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -1 lap 19. Jenny Tinmouth, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -1 lap 20. Karl Harris, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -4 laps, DNF 21. Howie Mainwaring, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -9 laps, DNF 22. Barry Burrell, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -9 laps, DNF 23. Noriyuki Haga, Japan (Kaw ZX-10R), -15 laps, DNF 24. PJ Jacobsen, USA (Suz GSX-R1000), -17 laps, DNF, retired 25. Jamie Poole, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -17 laps, DNF 26. Michael Rutter, UK (Hon CBR1000RR), -18 laps, DNF 27. David Linorter, Austria (BMW S1000RR), -19 laps, DNF

Championship Point Standings (after 26 of 26 races):

1. Alex Lowes, 643 points 2. Byrne, 636 3. Brookes, 621 4. Ellison, 589 5. Westmoreland, 564 6. Ryuichi Kiyonari, 522 7. Kirkham, 213 8. Bridewell, 197 9. Jacobsen, 188 10. Walker, 168

Other Americans competing at Brands Hatch included Tommy Aquino, Michael Corbino, James Rispoli and Jayson Uribe.

Aquino, riding his Team WD-40 Kawasaki ZX-10R, finished 14th out of 40 riders in the 1000cc Superstock race. Aquino finished seventh in the final Championship point standings.

Rispoli, riding his Team Traction Control Suzuki GSX-R1000, finished 22nd out of 40 riders in the wet 1000cc Superstock race. Rispoli only competed in the final round of the series.

Corbino, riding a spec Triumph Daytona 675R, did not start wet Triumph Triple Challenge Race Two. Corbino finished 15th in the final Championship point standings.

Uribe, riding his Rock & Sons Racing Honda RS125, finished 10th overall and seventh in the 125cc class in wet Monster Energy British Motostar race. Uribe finished 11th in the final 125cc Class Championship point standings.

More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision:

Final round 19-20 October Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit LOWES TAKES CROWN IN FINAL RACE THRILLER AS BROOKES COMPLETES TRIPLE Results Saturday race one: 1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.968s 3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +5.709s 4: Josh Waters (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +16.821s 5: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +22.890s 6: Tommy Bridewell (Milwaukee Yamaha) +24.345s Sunday race two: 1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 2: Lee Costello (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +0.196s 3: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +0.728s 4: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +9.127s 5: Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +16.826s 6: PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +17.198s Sunday race three: 1: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 2: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +1.185s 3: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.587s 4: Tommy Bridewell (Halsall Racing Kawasaki) +4.869s 5: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +13.521s 6: Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) +16.282s Championship final standings: 1: Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 643 2: Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 636 3: Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 621 4: James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 589 5: James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) 564 6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 522 Report Samsung Honda’s Alex Lowes has became the youngest MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title winner after he fended off the threat of three times champion Shane Byrne in a final race epic showdown to be crowned 2013 champion at Brands Hatch. They had duelled intensely for much of the final title-deciding race for second place, knowing that whoever crossed the line first between them would take the crown while some distance in front, Aussie Josh Brookes was completing a hat-trick of victories aboard his Tyco Suzuki. The dramatic ending to the 2013 season was set after Saturday’s race when Lowes took second for Samsung Honda ahead of Byrne on his Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki to grab a three points advantage in the title stakes. In a dramatic second race both Lowes and Byrne crashed in the wet conditions setting up a winner takes all finale. Lowes had a third row start, Byrne was back on the eighth row, but they were soon in the front running mix after carving their way through the pack. Brookes hit the front and was never challenged as he made it a hat trick of victories, but adrift of him the duel for the crown was developing. Lowes was third from Byrne on the fifth lap. Next time round Lowes was second from Byrne and on the sixth lap Byrne had taken the edge in a constant battle for the title. Lowes was determined though and he upped the pace, making a decisive move at Surtees with five laps to go. Lowes had the second place and the points he needed to take the crown by seven points and he said: “It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane as closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see.

“It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass that guy if I wanted the title and I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title and to me that really is incredible, always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. I couldn’t have my brother have a title and not me too this year!”

Byrne said: “It was a pity that it was decided in sketchy conditions but it has been a fantastic year which has made me realise how much I enjoy this championship. I gave my all in that race, didn’t realised that I was running second, then thought that’s enough, but Alex came back at me and took me. I tried to stay with him but I pushed a bit too hard into Druids on the last lap and lost a bit.” For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com

More, from a press release issued by Milwaukee Yamaha:

MILWAUKEE YAMAHA END THE SEASON WITH PODIUM FINISH The Milwaukee Yamaha team ended their season with a podium finish at Brands Hatch as James Ellison overcame his disappointment of race one to claim a third place in the second race of the weekend whilst Tommy Bridewell claimed a fourth place in the final race. In the second race of the weekend Ellison got a flying start and carved his way up the order to hit the front of the pack, but as the conditions changed he was passed in the closing stages by Lee Costello and Josh Brookes who claimed the win. Bridewell had slid out of contention in the challenging conditions at Druids, but fought back to in the final race of the season to claim a fighting fourth place ahead of team-mate James Ellison. Ellison said: “A podium was what we were going for but qualifying where we did I thought it would be an uphill battle today, but I had a good line for the first few corners and it seemed to work out and then I found myself in the lead and I thought ‘that will do’. I pushed so hard and full credit to all of them on the podium as there was nothing more I could squeeze out. We couldn’t quite do it in the final race but I want to thank the Milwaukee Yamaha team for their hard work this season.” Bridewell said: “It was a difficult day and it was tough with the conditions and I just spun it out in the first race today on a wet patch. The last race I started quite far back and the bike felt unbelievable. I followed Shakey through the pack and I honestly thought about having a go and it was a big decision but I decided to let them decide the championship and not get involved. I think one hundred percent we could have been on the podium but I am happy to have ended the season strongly and I need to thank Milwaukee Yamaha.” Team owner Shaun Muir concluded: “It is a shame the Showdown didn’t work out for us and our challenge petered out because the deficit was too much to close here and it wasn’t meant to be for James. In respect of Tommy he worked hard all weekend and was on the back foot with the conditions but he ground on throughout. He took a sensible view in race two not to get involved with the title fight but it was a great end to the season. Big congratulations have to go to Alex Lowes and Samsung Honda for the title win and I also want to thank Milwaukee and all of our partners for this season. Let’s hope the winter goes quickly!” For more information visit www.milwaukeeyamaha.com

More, from a press release issued by Honda:

MCE INSURANCE BRITISH SUPERBIKE CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 12 BRANDS HATCH GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT 19-20 OCTOBER Warm, Wet Ambient temperature 13 degrees C track 14 degrees C

Race report

LOWES IS CROWNED BRITISH CHAMPION Alex Lowes powered Samsung Honda to the MCE Insurance British Superbike crown in a dramatic final weekend of ups and downs in the difficult wet conditions at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit.

Lowes went into the final race of the weekend with a three points advantage over the three times title winner Shane Byrne knowing that to take the title he had to finish ahead of his Kawaski riding rival.

It was to be an epic showdown. After their tumbles earlier in the race, Lowes was a third row starter, Byrne was back on the eighth row, but they both wanted the top spot but it was Suzuki’s Josh Brookes who powered clear of the field, en route to completing a winning triple at the Kent circuit, that left Lowes and Byrne scrapping for second place.

Lowes was second on the sixth lap, just ahead of Byrne but next time around they had swapped places and the local favourite looked to be doing just enough, but Lowes had other ideas. Despite several times swerving wickedly out of line in the difficult damp conditions Lowes upped his pace, closed on Byrne and snatched back second place at Surtees with five laps remaining.

Lowes held on to his second place, and with it the British Superbike crown for the first time, and all of that after a weekend of intriguing action.

It had started with Lowes running third for much of Saturdays opening race, adrift of Byrne with Brookes dictating terms at the front. But at Surtees with four laps to go Lowes found the better line to nose through, and once ahead of Byrne he was able to open a clear gap over his rival.

That gave Lowes the edge in the title chase, a three points advantage going into the Sunday action. But Lowes was down and out at Druids on the opening lap of the, seemingly having been lightly touched by Brookes in the hectic pack going through the tight “U” shaped corner. It looked all up for Lowes as Byrne was running well in eighth, but then he too went down at Druids.

That set up the final winner takes all finale with Lowes keeping his cool and his nerve to power away from rival Bryrne over the last two to take the country’s premier crown for the first time

Freddy Foray, deputising again for Samsung Honda’s injured Ryuichi Kiyonari, scored points in all three races, with a best result of tenth, together with a thirteenth and a fourteenth. Michael Rutter had a lonely ride in eleventh place on his Bathams Honda, while Dan Linfoot took seventh, tenth and eleventh places on the Lloyds British GBmotoHona with his team-mate Peter Hickman fifteenth and tenth.

Honda rider quotes:

Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) Champion Race results 2nd/dnf/2nd Pts 643 ““I’m pretty happy about it – at least now Sam (his twin the World Supersport Champion) can’t take the Mickey out of me as he would have done if I’d been second. It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit-signals that Shane was closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see. It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass the guy if I wanted the title and I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title and to me that really is incredible, always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. Saturday’s race was hard – it was difficult to know where the grip was so it was a case of keeping calm and then pushing hard. It felt pretty good but it was quite slippery. In Sunday’s first race Josh Brookes touched my bar and I went down – it was not my fault and I can’t angry about something that is out of my control. It was one of those things, unfortunate.

Freddy Foray (Samsung Honda) Race results 13th/10th/14th “To come into this championship for two rounds was not easy but it was an opportunity that I could not turn down. I was more confident here than at Silverstone even though the conditions were difficult. I didn’t want to make any mistakes and was pleased to score points. I am very happy to have worked with the team who are very friendly and it has been a very good experience for me.”

More, from a press release issued by Paul Bird Motorsport:

Battling Byrne Falls Just Short Of Record-Breaking Fourth Title

With a script Hollywood film makers would have been proud of, the 2013 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship went right down to the very last lap of the very last race but for 2012 Champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne there was heartbreak for both him and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team as he missed out on a record-breaking fourth MCE BSB title by just seven points.

The triple MCE BSB champion came into the triple header weekend at Brands Hatch with a single point lead but with wet weather conditions prevailing, fortunes for both 36-year-old Londoner Shakey and main rival Alex Lowes fluctuated throughout the weekend.

Saturday’s first race was held in damp weather conditions and with Josh Brookes winning the race, it was Lowes who came out on top for the battle for second with Shakey having to settle for third aboard the Rapid Solicitors and Minxflix-sponsored Kawasaki ZX-10R.

That gave Lowes a three-point lead going into today’s two races but with steady rain falling, the opening race became a lottery with the Honda rider crashing out on the second corner. However, Shakey’s hopes were also soon dashed as he crashed out at the same corner on the fifth lap. So, it all came down to a final race shoot-out and Shakey knew he needed to beat Lowes to stand any chance of retaining the crown.

With heavy rain drenching the track surface adding to the drama, Shakey’s cause wasn’t aided by having to start from 22nd on the grid, the legacy of the earlier crash, but in true champion’s style he was up inside the top ten as early as the second lap. By the fifth lap he was on the rear wheel of Lowes and grabbed second place two laps later meaning the result that would have seen him crowned champion once more. However, Lowes fought back on the 16th of 20 laps and wasn’t to be denied his maiden title leaving Shakey to settle for third in the race and second in the championship for Paul Bird’s Penrith based team. Team-mate Noriyuki Haga found the going tough in the tricky conditions and after taking 11th in Saturday’s opening race, he crashed out of sixth place at Clearways on the third lap of the second race. That just left the final race of the 2013 season, which again took place on a wet track, and the Japanese rider was sadly an early retirement on the sixth lap.

Shane Byrne: “It’s a shame the final round was affected so much by the difficult conditions otherwise I think it could have been even more exciting but I gave it my all right up until the very end. I had no idea I was in second in the last race as I couldn’t see anyone ahead but when I saw P2 on my board I knew that position would be enough. I just tried to concentrate and stay smooth but I knew Alex would have a go and when he did I had to fight back straightaway otherwise it would be over. Sure enough, he came by but we were having so many moments out there I just couldn’t get him back. I made a mistake and ran wide a couple of times on the last lap but Alex put it on the line and became champion and it’s been a pleasure to race with him all year long. Obviously, it’s disappointing not to have retained the title but it’s been one of the most enjoyable seasons of racing I’ve ever had. It’s tough to see the title disappear but a few things have happened this year that have made me realise how much I enjoy doing what I do and I can put my hand on my heart and say I gave it my all.”

Noriyuki Haga: “It’s been a very difficult weekend and not how I wanted to repay the faith shown in me by Paul Bird and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team at the final round. Conditions were really difficult and it was difficult to find grip. A crash in qualifying obviously affected me and falling again in the second race made it even harder. I’ve enjoyed being back in the MCE British Superbike Championship and would like to thank the whole team for the opportunity and all their hard work. I’m just sorry I couldn’t have given them better results this weekend.”

Stuart Bland, Team Co-ordinator: “Twelve months ago it was us celebrating the title at Brands Hatch but this time it was Alex’s turn so we congratulate him. We gave it our best shot and it wasn’t to be but it might have been a different story if Shakey hadn’t crashed out in race two as those points could have been vital. That’s what probably cost us the chance of retaining the title and we are naturally disappointed as the whole team has put so much effort in.”

More, from a press release issued by Tyco Suzuki:

2013 British Superbike Championship – Final Day

Josh Brookes finished off the 2013 British Superbike season with a dominant hat-trick of wins from two pole positions onboard his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000. Brookes followed up his win on Saturday with one of the greatest ever BSB race victories at Brands Hatch, coming from 16 seconds behind to win today’s opening encounter.

Brookes then went on to take a lights-to-flag third race win from pole position, securing him third place in this year’s championship on the final day of racing for 2013. His young team-mate PJ Jacobsen was fifth in the opening BSB race and retired from race two with visor problems in the wet conditions.

More, from a press release issued by Mar-Train Racing:

Mar-Train Racing and Stuart Easton are the 2013 British Supersport Champions Scottish ace Stuart Easton battle through from eleventh place in today’s shortened British Supersport encounter, aboard his Mar-Train Racing R6 Yamaha, eventually being awarded the victory, following a red flag situation. Easton came into today’s final race of the season just four points ahead of nearest rival Alastair Seeley, but the only thing on Easton’s mind was victory, and that tenth top step of 2013 was enough to give him the title.

EASTON CHAMPION Stuart Easton: “It’s been a nervous couple of days and if I’m honest I wasn’t pleased with my performance in yesterday’s race finishing eleventh. Everyone was working out the stats but I knew if I won the race then I would be the champion – it was a simple as that. The conditions were far from ideal and a red flag is not the way anyone wants to see the season end, but I was in front when it mattered and I’m delighted to be 2013 British Supersport Champion. “The whole Mar-Train crew have been fantastic all year and I’ll be sad to leave here, but we still have one more race next weekend at the Sunflower Trophy. I’d like to win a few races there and sign off in style, but for now we will enjoy being British Supersport champions.”

Celebration time Team principal Tim Martin added: “We came into this weekend with a 19 point advantage but after yesterday we were left with a battle on our hands. Today we saw a different Stuart. His intention was clear: he wanted to win the race to secure the championship and it’s great to see. He deserved that win today as he was pushing hard and taking the chances you sometimes have to, to win a championship. “We are all delighted especially after the disappointment of last season. Tonight we will have a little bit of a celebration, then it’s back to business and prepare for the Sunflower next weekend. It’s a fun weekend that we always enjoy as a team supporting our local event, but we will also be looking for some more success for Mar-Train Racing. Thanks to my whole team for a great season. We just have to come back next year and do it all over again.”