MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 612
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 580
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 579
Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 558
Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 549
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 526
Brands Hatch triple-header to decide title
The 2017 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship will be decided this weekend (October 13/14/15) in a thrilling triple-header decider at Brands Hatch in Kent with Leon Haslam holding the advantage over 2015 title-winner Josh Brookes and local hero defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.
Leon Haslam- Image by Jon Jessop
In an incredible season there have been ten different race winners, six further podium finishers and all of the six manufacturers involved in the championship have celebrated victories. With just one round remaining, it’s the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider Haslam who leads the way by 32 points.
Leon Haslam – Assen
‘The Pocket Rocket’ has finished runner-up three times before and after winning two of the first four Showdown races has edged ahead, but he knows that with 75 points available from the three races on the Grand Prix circuit, he needs to maintain this momentum to lift his first title crown.
Leon Haslam – JG Speedfit KawasakiChampionship position – 1st
“Brands Hatch is three races so it was always going to go down to the final. It is a circuit that both Josh and Shane go well at, Josh got the lap record mid-season and Shakey won both races, so for me to go in with a point advantage is a big weight off my shoulders, however finishing second or third to them isn’t easy either.
Leon Haslam – Image by Jon Jessop
“I am super excited for the weekend because in the Showdown it is a case of so far so good for us. I felt like to be honest we should have won all four races so far and I have to approach this weekend as any other. It is all to play for and we need to attack like we always do. We need three solid results because it can all still change.
Leon Haslam- Image by Jon Jessop
“Brands Hatch has an unbelievable atmosphere – on those last few races there are going to be some big moves being made, I really can’t wait to get started!”
Josh Brookes – Image by Jon Jessop
Haslam’s closest rival is Brookes as the Australian has propelled the Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha team into title contention for the first time. The 2015 champion was back on the podium at Assen and remains bullish about his hopes of adding to his previous title at this weekend’s round.
Josh Brookes – Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha – 2nd
“The emphasis at Brands Hatch is going to be more for me to win and then hope that we are lucky as mathematically there is a gap in the points between myself and Leon.
Josh Brookes – Image by Jon Jessop
“We can only focus on the job we can do and that is to go to Brands Hatch and try and win all three races.
BSB 2017 – Round Seven – Thruxton – Superbike Race One Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +1.026s Jake Dixon (RAF Reserves Kawasaki) +1.774s
“Any position this season is hard to achieve as it is so close but we need to bring the most energy, focus and determination to Brands Hatch and hope that we have that luck.
Josh Brookes – Image by Jon Jessop
“I think looking ahead to the weekend we should all reflect on the battle between Tommy Hill and John Hopkins because I think the final round will be reminiscent of that.
Josh Brookes – Image by Jon Jessop
“Whoever it is between at the end I think the racing is going to be brilliant and it certainly won’t let the fans down!”
Josh Brookes – Image by Jon Jessop
Local hero Byrne knows that he needs to make a strong comeback this weekend if he is going to defend a title for the first time; the five-time champion returned to the podium at Assen, but needs a repeat of his winning performance at the Kent circuit in July.
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne – Be Wiser Ducati – Image by Jon Jessop
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne – Be Wiser Ducati – 3rd
“I am really looking forward to Brands Hatch; everyone knows how much I love the Grand Prix circuit. In some ways I guess the pressure has gone a bit. I have been in a position before when there has been nothing between us in the points and the pressure to beat a certain rider or finish in a certain position is immense.
Shane Byrne – Image by Jon Jessop
“Realistically all I can do is my best and I always want to go and win races and there are three chances of that at Brands Hatch. I can still win three races and if Leon has three good finishes he will win, but anything could still happen and if it does then all of a sudden it is thrown wide open again.
Shane Byrne – Image by Jon Jessop
“One thing I really want to do is to defend a title; I love Brands Hatch and I am coming to the final round to do the best job I can and we will then see what happens.”
Shane Byrne – 2016 BSB Champion
Jake Dixon still has a mathematical shot of becoming the youngest ever MCE BSB title-winner for the RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki team; he holds fourth in the standings but he could still change the title outcome.
Jake Dixon – Image by Jon Jessop
Peter Hickman and Jason O’Halloran complete the Showdown six and both will also want to end their seasons with victory at Brands Hatch.
The triple-header will also decide the Riders Cup champion with Christian Iddon leading the way in seventh place ahead of race winners James Ellison, Luke Mossey and Dan Linfoot, whilst local rookie Bradley Ray is also ready to fight for a podium return.
