Editorial Note: American James Rispoli, riding his Quattro Plant FS-3 Racing Kawasaki ZX-10RR, finished 19th in the British Superstock 1000 race. The race was won by Richard Cooper on a Suzuki GSX-R1000R.
American Brandon Paasch, riding a G & S Racing Kawasaki ZX-6R, finished 18th in the British Superstock 600 race. The race was won by Ryan Vickers on a Yamaha YZF-R6.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship
Brands Hatch GP Circuit, England
October 15, 2017
Race Two Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), 20 laps, Total Race Time 28:40.657, Best Lap Time 1:25.308
2. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -0.524 second, 1:25.338
3. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -1.406 seconds, 1:25.215
4. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), -6.073, 1:25.446
5. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -8.147, 1:25.599
6. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), -10.424, 1:25.746
7. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -11.216, 1:25.939
8. Michael Laverty, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -11.547, 1:25.631
9. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -15.053, 1:25.472
10. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -18.531, 1:25.956
11. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -19.014, 1:26.062
12. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suz GSX-R1000), -22.776, 1:26.139
13. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -26.665, 1:26.300
14. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -26.823, 1:26.300
15. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -26.955, 1:26.631
16. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -34.367, 1:26.807
17. Kyle Ryde, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -39.204, 1:26.785
18. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -42.775, 1:27.472
19. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -63.788, 1:28.117
20. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -67.908, 1:28.159
21. Bradley Ray, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -3 laps, DNF, 1:25.655
22. Richard Cooper, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -7 laps, DNF, 1:25.993
23. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -7 laps, DNF, 1:28.073
24. Jake Dixon, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -9 laps, DNF, 1:26.122
25. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -9 laps, DNF, 1:27.343
26. John Hopkins, USA (Duc Panigale R), DNS
Race Three Results (all on Pirelli tires):
1. Josh Brookes, Australia (Yam YZF-R1), 20 laps, Total Race Time 28:59.284, Best Lap Time 1:25.509
2. Jason O’Halloran, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -0.687 second, 1:25.426
3. James Ellison, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -0.857, 1:25.464
4. Michael Laverty, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -1.929 seconds, 1:25.587
5. Christian Iddon, UK (BMW S1000RR), -2.144, 1:25.664
6. Peter Hickman, UK (BMW S1000RR), -5.254, 1:25.638
7. Dan Linfoot, UK (Hon CBR1000RR SP2), -5.281, 1:25.574
8. Shane Byrne, UK (Duc Panigale R), -6.512, 1:25.678
9. Bradley Ray, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -6.923, 1:25.484
10. Richard Cooper, UK (Suz GSX-R1000), -7.628, 1:25.801
11. Sylvain Guintoli, France (Suz GSX-R1000), -12.176, 1:26.156
12. Jake Dixon, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -13.853, 1:25.946
13. Glenn Irwin, UK (Duc Panigale R), -13.923, 1:25.988
14. Lee Jackson, UK (BMW S1000RR), -14.013, 1:26.145
15. Tommy Bridewell, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -14.369, 1:26.024
16. Jakub Smrz, Czech Republic (BMW S1000RR), -16.633, 1:26.233
17. Luke Mossey, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -22.910, 1:26.244
18. Kyle Ryde, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -27.895, 1:26.866
19. Martin Jessopp, UK (BMW S1000RR), -27.955, 1:26.315
20. Michael Rutter, UK (BMW S1000RR), -29.257, 1:27.066
21. James Westmoreland, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -29.885, 1:27.314
22. Aaron Zanotti, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -31.125, 1:27.133
23. Dean Harrison, UK (Kaw ZX-10R), -34.970, 1:27.622
24. Shaun Winfield, UK (Yam YZF-R1), -57.297, 1:27.934
25. Leon Haslam, UK (Kaw ZX-10RR), -15 laps, DNF, crash, 1:25.656
26. John Hopkins, USA (Duc Panigale R), DNS
Championship Point Standings (after 26 of 26 races):
1. Byrne, 637 points (clinched Championship)
2. Brookes, 634
3. Haslam, 631
4. Hickman, 578
5. O’Halloran, 567
6. Dixon, 562
7. Iddon, 238
8. Ellison, 228
9. Mossey, 186
10. Linfoot, 163
More, from a press release issued by MotorSport Vision Racing:
Shakey makes it six! Byrne defends title for the first time as Haslam crashes out with brake failure
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne clinched an unprecedented sixth MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title in dramatic style at Brands Hatch, as the title fight went down to the wire in the final race of the season.
The last race of the season started with Leon Haslam and defending champion Byrne separated by just two points after Byrne won race two and Haslam finished tenth, ahead of the crucial decider at the Kent circuit.
On the opening lap James Ellison had taken the advantage from Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty. The title contenders were in formation, with Josh Brookes in fourth ahead of Haslam and Byrne, but the Australian knew he was still in contention and he was pushing to move through the field.
At the front Iddon took the lead, but on lap six Haslam’s title hopes ended in heartbreak as the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider suffered brake failure on lap six.
The ‘Pocket Rocket’ had to jump off the bike at 172mph at Hawthorns and subsequently sustained a broken right wrist, right thumb and left ankle. He heroically returned to the grid for the championship celebrations at the end of the race to congratulate Byrne on his title victory before heading to the medical centre.
The crash brought out the BMW Safety Car and when the race resumed Brookes was instantly on the attack and took the lead into Paddock Hill Bend which he held to the finish, but in the closing stages Jason O’Halloran charged through into second to push Ellison back to third.
Byrne ended the race in eighth place but it was enough to seal his sixth title as he defended his title for the first time in his career, finishing behind Laverty, Iddon, Peter Hickman and Dan Linfoot.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race two result:
1.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati)
2.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.524s
3.James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +1.406s
4.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +6.073s
5.Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +8.147s
6.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +10.424s
7.Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +11.216s
8.Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +11.547s
9.Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +15.053s
10.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +18.531s
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race three result:
11.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha)
12.Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +0.687s
13.James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) +0.857s
14.Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +1.929s
15.Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +2.144s
16.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +5.254s
17.Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +5.281s
18.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +6.512s
19.Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +6.923s
20.Richard Cooper (Bennetts Suzuki) +7.628s
2017 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings:
1.Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) 637
2.Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) 634
3.Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 631
4.Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) 578
5.Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) 567
6.Jake Dixon (RAF Regular & Reserves Kawasaki) 562
For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne
Be Wiser Ducati
Championship winner
“I don’t really know how I feel to be honest because I came here thinking I’m 33 points behind Leon and he’s such a tough competitor that I never envisaged being able to pull back 33 points, but what I did envisage was coming here to do the best job I possibly could this weekend and try and win three races.
“That’s never a given in BSB because it’s really, really difficult to win, but after we won the first race and pulled back some points and then there was only two points between us and I had a bit of a game plan for the final race of the day and that was to keep an eye on my pit board to see where Leon was and basically remain a place or two in front of him.
“That may sound a little bit arrogant or aloof but it was basically my way of making sure we came away from this weekend as champions.
“I knew he was starting on the fourth row and when he came past me on the start I thought “seriously, what sort of a start did you get?” but it was perfect because I was sat in fourth or fifth with Leon right in front of me and I felt absolutely cool with that because I knew towards the end of the race I’d be really strong,
“I sat there quite content, trying not to use to much tyre and following him around making sure nobody was going past me, and then as we went down into Hawthorns Leon didn’t get on the brakes or whatever happened and jumped off his bike and it really threw me, I’m not going to lie. I spent a couple of laps afterwards thinking “hold on a minute, we are supposed to be fighting for a championship, we can’t fight for a championship if you’re in there”.
“I’m gutted for him, I genuinely mean that because he’s been a really tough competitor last year and this year, and for him to come here with 33 points lead and leading the championship seems a bitter pill to swallow.
“I hadn’t actually won a race since we were here in July and that never happens. BSB is so tough right now that it’s really, really difficult to win. We’ve ended up champions so I’m super, super happy to have defended the title. That’s the one thing I wanted to do and we’ve got that done now so it’s going to be a nice winter.
“Last night I went to bed after that first race and I was 14 points closer to this happening and all I kept thinking about was “what if it did, what if it’s me this weekend” and I barely slept a wink to be honest because I was so engrossed in scenarios and outcomes and plots and subplots.
I’ll take a title in BSB however they come because they do not come on the back of Kelloggs’ Frosties packets!”
More, from a press release issued by Be Wiser Ducati:
Byrne Sensationally Crowned Champion At Brands
In one of the most dramatic finishes to the season in many years, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne claimed the 2017 title in the most dramatic style at Brands Hatch today when he overcame a 33 point deficit to win his sixth MCE British Superbike Championship title.
Riding the factory-backed Be Wiser Ducati Panigale R, the Sittingbourne-based Londoner knew the odds were stacked against him following a poor run of results in recent rounds which saw him trail title-rival Leon Haslam arriving at the track at which Shakey had last taken a victory back in July.
The weekend started well with the 40 year old topping all three free practice sessions as well as being fastest in all three qualifying sessions. From pole position, he went on to take victory in yesterday’s opening race of the triple-header weekend in the unseasonably warm conditions as Haslam came home fourth, to close the gap between him and Byrne to 21 points.
Today dawned bright and in the second of the weekend’s races, Byrne was involved in a titanic scrap for the lead, cheered on by his legions of fans in the record 58,000 crowd at his local track. He went on to take victory by half a second and with Haslam encountering problems and struggling to tenth place, Byrne, who claimed BSB career win number 84 and a 21st around the famous GP track, saw the gap reduced to a mere two points but still in Haslam’s favour.
Shakey lined up in the middle of the front row for the final race of 2017, although a slightly sluggish start saw him drop back to sixth at the end of the opening lap, one place behind fast-starting arch-rival Haslam. Positions remained the same until lap six when Haslam crashed heavily at Hawthorn which gave Byrne the advantage. Needing a top 11 finish to claim his record-breaking sixth crown, Shakey did what he needed and brought the bike home in eighth place to wrap up the title and with it, gave Paul Bird’s Penrith-based team their 11th British title in the process.
Team-mate Glenn Irwin also ended his 2017 season strongly and, after being forced to retire from yesterday’s race, he opened his account today with a strong ride into seventh having overhauled fellow Ulsterman Michael Laverty on the final lap.
The Carrickfergus rider started from tenth place for the last race of the weekend and looked on course for another top ten finish until a big moment at Sheene Curve on lap five caused him to run into the gravel trap. Dropping back to 17th, he fought his way back up to 13th for three hard-earned points to finish the season in 12th overall.
Shane Byrne: “You always go racing to win championships but after having such a rough ride over the last few rounds, I was beginning to think 2017 just wasn’t meant to be so the weekend was all about having some fun and whatever happened, happened. After yesterday’s race, I was suddenly a lot less points behind and back in the hunt but I knew Leon wasn’t going to take it lying down and he proved that in the final race. When he crashed in front of me, it threw me a bit though and for the next few laps I wasn’t sure what to do. I kept hearing things and making the odd mistake so it took me a while to get back into my rhythm. The race took an eternity but to defend my title for the first time is an amazing feeling. We got the job done so a big thanks to the PBM team, Ducati, my sponsors, my family, everyone. I’ve always wanted to defend the title so I’m over the moon to do it and going into the winter as the 2017 BSB champion is an amazing feeling.”
Glenn Irwin: “The weekend started positively but I had a difficult Saturday with a small electrical problem hindering us in both qualifying and the first race. Sunday was definitely a lot better though and although not back to my best, I was a lot more competitive. The end results might not look the greatest but I had a lot better feeling and was able to give the team a lot more feedback so we know the direction we need to go in for 2018. It’s been a mixed season but that’s the way racing goes sometimes and it will ultimately make us a lot stronger so roll on 2018.”
Paul Bird, Team Owner: “I’m absolutely flabbergasted! We came here with a small chance of the title but it got more realistic as the weekend went on and Shakey rode sensationally all weekend, it was a very fast Shane Byrne that turned up this weekend. Full credit must go to the team as well as they were under pressure all weekend to put a bike under Shakey that would deliver. It’s the first time Shakey’s defended the title and it’s both his and our sixth BSB title but this is probably the sweetest. It’s a very proud day for all of us and not a bad effort at all for a little team from up north!”