BSB Round 7 - Brands Hatch GP

Posted: 23 Jul 2012

RACE ONE - SUPERB START FOR SHAKEY

This weekend, the 2012 British Superbike Championship contingent headed to Brands Hatch for the second time this season for the seventh round of the series, and it was Shane “Shakey” Byrne who emerged as the race one victor.

The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider had been looking strong all weekend – clinching pole position in qualifying ahead of Sunday’s 18-lap race on the Grand Prix circuit.

Despite coming under fire from Noriyuki Haga and Josh Brookes, Shakey held his own to cross the line just 0.469 seconds ahead of nearest rival Brookes. However, Haga missed out on the final podium position when he crashed out of the race in spectacular style on lap 17. His incident paved the way for reigning BSB Champion Tommy Hill to claim third.

Meanwhile, Michael Laverty capitalised on a superb start from the grid to take fourth, ahead of BMW’s Tommy Bridewell in fifth.

Brands Hatch race one result

1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.469s
3. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +6.434s
4. Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +7.197s
5. Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +9.172s
6. Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +9.738s
7. Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +11.024s
8. Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +12.057s
9. Alastair Seeley (Tyco Suzuki) +14.335s
10. Michael Rutter (MSS Bathams Kawasaki) +20.18s

RACE TWO - SHAKEY DOES THE DOUBLE

Shane 'Shakey' Byrne has clinched another fantastic win at Brands Hatch this weekend. The Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider capitalised on his pole position to claim the win in race two at the seventh round of the British Superbike Championship. Although Michael Laverty scooped the holeshot, 'Shakey' was keen to taste victory for the second time and stole the lead at Hawthorns on the opening lap.

Race two also proved to be a case of history repeating itself as the other podium positions were claimed by Josh Brookes (second) and Tommy Hill (third). Michael Laverty also settled for another fourth place finish, while Noriyuki Haga was able to complete the second race distance in a respectable fifth place.

Brands Hatch Grand Prix race two result

1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.583s
3. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +2.265s
4. Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +3.104s
5. Noriyuki Haga (Swan Yamaha +9.261s
6. Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +14.644s
7. Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +15.683s
8. Ian Lowry (Padgetts Honda) +15.684s
9. Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +17.147s
10. James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +23.695s

British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch

1. Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 266
2. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 255
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 246
4. Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) 172 
5. Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) 124