Posted: 10 Sep 2012
RACE ONE: BROOKES STORMS TO VICTORY
Josh Brookes has scored victory in the first race of the day at Donington Park for round nine of the British Superbike Championship this weekend. The Tyco Suzuki rider got off to a flying start from the grid to lead the field in the two-part race, which was red-flagged after 13 laps when Brookes’ team-mate Alastair Seeley suffered a technical problem.
Brookes led reigning champion Tommy Hill, Alex Lowes and James Westmoreland from the off, while Michael Laverty continued to move up the pack to slot into fourth place ahead of Tommy Bridewell. However, Lowes began to lose ground a couple of laps into the race when team-mate James Westmoreland stepped-up his campaign for podium honours.
When the second part of the race restarted, Brookes was back at the front, leading the rest of the Superbike contenders into Redgate. Although he was under pressure from Hill, who had moved into second place, he managed to hold on to the top spot for the seven laps until the chequered flag. Hill took second place while Laverty scored the third step of the podium.
Donington Park race one result
- Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
- Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +1.190s
- Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +1.927s
- Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +7.517s
- James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +7.537s
- Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +7.698s
- Jon Kirkham (Samsung Honda) +8.106s
- Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +8.373s
- Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +8.568s
- Barry Burrell (Buildbase BMW) +8.752s
RACE TWO: DOUBLE WIN FOR BROOKES
Josh Brookes has clinched his first double win of the 2012 British Superbike Championship at Donington Park this weekend, for round nine of the series. Once again the Tyco Suzuki rider took the holeshot from pole position, leading the field from Michael Laverty.
After a third place finish in race one, Samsung Honda rider Laverty was out to achieve victory. He managed to move ahead of the Australian at the Melbourne Hairpin on the opening lap, but his lead was short-lived as Brookes regained the front on the following lap.
The cat and mouse chase continued between the two riders for the remainder of the race, but Brookes’ sheer determination saw him emerge as the eventual victor, ahead of Laverty and reigning champion Tommy Hill in third.
Donington Park race two result
- Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki)
- Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) +0.436s
- Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +10.302s
- Tommy Bridewell (Supersonic BMW) +14.026s
- Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) +14.508s
- James Westmoreland (WFR Honda) +15.361s
- Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +15.797s
- Luca Scassa (Padgetts Honda) +18.352s
- Jon Kirkham (Samsung Honda) +18.371s
- Chris Walker (Pr1mo Bournemouth Kawasaki) +19.485s
British Superbike Championship standings
- Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 535
- Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 525
- Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 523
- Michael Laverty (Samsung Honda) 514
- Alex Lowes (WFR Honda) 502
