TOMMY FACES UPHILL BATTLE AT SILVERSTONE AS TITLE FIGHTER RIVALS EDGE AWAY The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship arrives at Silverstone this weekend (28/29/30 September) for the penultimate Showdown round. After the drama of Assen, defending champion Tommy Hill has his sights locked on leading Title Fighters Josh Brookes and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne. A nightmare start to the Showdown saw Hill lose his standings lead with a non point score in the opening race and he was then pipped for a podium by a hard-charging Alex Lowes in the second encounter. The defending champion knows he cannot afford any mistakes in the two races at the Northamptonshire circuit in his quest to close the 22 points deficit. Hill said: “We had a disappointing start to the Showdown and our title defence but it also shows how quickly the championship can turn around. As the saying goes “it is all for us to gain and everyone else’s to lose” at Silverstone and nothing but wins will do from now until the last race of the season at Brands Hatch. We are on the back foot but it can all change so quickly and we won’t be giving up yet!” Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes heads the standings by just two points from former double champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who hit the top with a victory for Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki at Assen on his return from a shoulder injury as he bids to equal a record third title. Brookes said: “We have a two point lead but that doesn’t mean much when it’s so close. I have had great results at Silverstone before so hopefully we can put on a good show again for Tyco Suzuki. It’s been an exciting Showdown for me so far and sure it is for the fans too.” WFR Honda’s young gun Lowes’ scored a career best result with a double third place that shot him up to fourth in the standings ahead of Silverstone. He capitalised on a disappointing weekend for Samsung Honda’s Michael Laverty, who like his rival Hill, knows that he must return to the podium if he wants to be in with a fighting chance of a maiden title at the Showdown decider at Brands Hatch. Tommy Bridewell and Supersonic BMW are the last of the Title Fighters in sixth, just eleven points adrift of Laverty. For more information please visit www.britishsuperbike.com More, from a press release issued by Swan Yamaha: HILL AIMING TO TURN SHOWDOWN STANDINGS AROUND WITH SILVERSTONE SUCCESS The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship Showdown continues this weekend (28/29/30 September) as the Swan Yamaha team head to Silverstone for the penultimate round of the season and Tommy Hill will be setting out for success at the Northamptonshire circuit. Defending champion Hill endured a tough event at Assen last weekend, but he has already put that disappointment behind him as he sets out to close down the 22 point deficit in the standings to leader Josh Brookes. Hill arrives at the circuit in third position in the title chase but in the knowledge that last season he scored a double podium finish. On the other side of the garage Noriyuki Haga returns to the circuit where he has previously claimed six podium finishes and a victory in the World Superbike Championship. Having found a direction with the setup that gave him more confidence at Assen, he is seeking a return to the podium again. Hill said: “We had a disappointing start to the Showdown and our title defence but it also shows how quickly the championship can turn around. Last weekend was definitely not what we needed; we need to be winning races. As the saying goes it is all for us to gain and everyone else’s to lose at Silverstone. Hopefully we can push on and if the others have some bad luck then we can be back up there ready for the three races at Brands Hatch. We will be coming out at Silverstone to ride at the top of our game; nothing but wins will do from now until the last race of the season. We are now on the back foot but it can all change so quickly; we know the job ahead and we won’t be giving up yet!” Haga said: “At Assen we found a good direction with the setting and we feel positive that this could work at Silverstone too. I like this track as before in World Superbike I have had good results there and know the track well. My shoulder has not had time to improve any more as there is little time between races but I still try hard to get podiums.” For more information visit www.swanyamaha.co.uk