From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

SHAKEY LOOKS TO CELEBRATE IN STYLE

The new British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne heads for home ground this weekend aiming to celebrate his recent title success with another pair of wins at Brands Hatch where the penultimate round of the 2004 series takes place on Sunday (14th September).

Last time he was at the Kent track, ‘Shakey’ took a resounding double in the World Superbike Championship to add to his BSB win there back in June and the rider who hails from the Isle of Sheppey just down the road is planning on putting on another show for his home fans:

“I have great memories of Brands from 2003 and I aim to round that off with another double win this weekend. I’m still hoping for the record of 14 wins in a season and if I can get the wins at Brands I’m still in the frame. Now the pressure of the championship is off I can start to enjoy myself and relax a little, just as I did in the World Superbike races and look what happened there!” quipped the 26 year old who clinched his first and MonsterMob Ducati’s second successive British Superbike title at Cadwell Park in the last round.

Meanwhile, reigning Supersport champion Stuart Easton relinquished his title at the last round but the young Scot is eager to clinch second in the title race with a win around the short Indy circuit aboard his 748 MonsterMob Ducati.

The Hawick racer took an audacious debut win on the same track last season and scored a rostrum on the long track earlier on in the season but ‘Rat Boy’ is aiming for success for different reasons this time out:

“I’m still waiting to get sorted out with what’s happening for next season and the best thing I can do is go out and win. I like Brands and scored a double win there last season so there is no reason why I can’t top the rostrum this time out” said Easton.

Team Owner Paul Bird, who will be testing his newly acquired Hyundai Accent World Rally Car on his way south, commented:

“We’ve done the hard work as far as the Superbike title is concerned and now it’s just a case of ramming home our advantage. We don’t need to win but we’ll be aiming to show anyone who is in doubt just what we are capable of. We may have are one or two surprises up our sleeves just yet” said the Cumbrian who next week will embark for further talks at the Milan show with regards to his team’s plans for 2004.

Recent British Superbike Champions

1996, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1997, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1998, Niall Mackenzie, Yamaha

1999, Troy Bayliss, Ducati

2000, Neil Hodgson, Ducati

2001, John Reynolds, Ducati

2002, Steve Hislop, MonsterMob Ducati

2003, Shane Byrne, MonsterMob Ducati