From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

SHAKEY SET FOR FINAL SHOWDOWN

2003 British Superbike Champion Shane Byrne is hoping to round off a superb season in fine style as the curtain comes down on another season at Donington Park this weekend.

‘Shakey’ took his inaugural BSB win at the Leicestershire circuit earlier on last season and is hoping to go out in a blaze of glory to celebrate the hard fought championship which he has dominated this season.

With the need for consistency meaning he has enjoyed just one win in the last eleven races, the 26 year old Isle of Sheppey racer is planning on topping the podium once again to prove that he has lost none of his spark going into the winter recess and is hungry for success at the season finale:

“Make no bones about it I’m there to win this weekend and to remind people who’s the champion. I’ve had to settle for safe points in the second half of the season and I put myself under enormous pressure at Brands last time out but I’m really up for it at Donington. We’re hoping to have a few drinks on Sunday evening so I’ll need the winner’s champagne for that if nothing else!” quipped Byrne.

Meanwhile, 2002 Supersport champion Stuart Easton is aiming to redress the balance this time around after missing out on the team’s title celebrations last year. Then, the Hawick teenager was recovering from a high speed crash in which he badly broke his foot at the final round and couldn’t help fellow Scot Steve Hislop celebrate in style.

Despite relinquishing his title this year, Easton too is hoping to finish the season with his second successive victory at a track which has been less than kind to him in the past:

“Donington owes me some dues and I aim to put that right this weekend. I said at Brands I got lucky to win but this time I’m hoping to win it from the front. I was fully drugged up last year and in a lot of pain but this time perhaps I can sample a couple of shandys with the boys to thank them for the fantastic job they’ve done for me again this season” said Easton.

Team Owner Paul Bird, who is hoping to do some guest rides around the circuit in his newly acquired Hyundai Accent World Rally Car over the weekend commented:

“We need to go out with a bang because we don’t know if we are coming back” said the Penrith businessman.

“There’s a good chance but with our plans being up in the air at the moment, we need people to remember us as the race winning champions and that’s what I’m hoping my riders will do. I might even buy a round on Sunday night if they manage to pull that off but if not they’ll be standing the cost. And knowing Shakey and Rat Boy, that will spur them on more than anything, the thought of them having to dip their hands in their pockets!” joked Bird, typifying the party mood of the weekend.