Brookes kicks off Brands BSB with a win

Josh Brookes masters Brands Hatch Rally Challenge to score first win of the weekend

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes proved his mettle on four wheels at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Thursday) by winning the first head-to-head duel of the weekend in Kent – the inaugural Rally Challenge!

The MCE BSB riders were given the chance to experience the circuit’s brand new works-prepared, rear-wheel-drive RallyMaster cars to get their adrenaline pumping ahead of their first free practice sessions on track tomorrow. Brookes posted the time to beat early in the competition and fended off a late challenge from James Ellison and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne to reign supreme.

Brookes said: “The last time I did any driving activity was at Silverstone with the GT-Rs a couple of years ago and to be honest I don’t consider myself to be that good on four wheels as I don’t spend a lot of time concentrating on the driving! I haven’t experienced any great ability even with go karts so today I think I got lucky, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was good fun. Having a rear-wheel drive car to spin around on a track is awesome fun – there is nothing not to like and I would definitely have another go at it.”

Milwaukee Yamaha’s Josh Brookes proved his mettle on four wheels at Brands Hatch this afternoon (Thursday) by winning the first head-to-head duel of the weekend in Kent – the inaugural Rally Challenge!

Ellison had been pushing on his second run to close in after some extreme drifting in his first run on the stage, but the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider narrowly missed out when a spin halted his improving lap.

“I really, really enjoyed the experience,” said Ellison. “It’s always good to learn something new especially when it has wheels and an engine! The instructors were great at explaining what to do so I felt ‘somewhat’ in control even when I was pointing in the wrong direction! I would highly recommend it to anyone.”

Defending MCE BSB champion Byrne had to settle for third place despite cheekily sneaking an additional flying lap at the end of the challenge. The four-time champion did experience all angles of the rally stage with a 360 degree spin, but he kept his foot on the gas to complete the lap.

Byrne said: “It was about the only time in the world that I will not be too displeased about being beaten as it was so much fun! I really enjoyed it and would love to have another go – I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to come and have a bit of a giggle in a rally car! The instructors were great – they let us play and it has been a really fun event.”