Next Stop Brands Hatch For Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki

Filed under: British Superbikes,News,Sport |

Round seven of the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship heads for Brands Hatch this weekend with all three Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki riders approaching the meeting with a slightly different agenda.

Following on from a successful visit to Oulton Park which saw him claim three podium finishes last time out although he couldn’t quite muster a win, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne returns to his local track hoping to clinch his first double win of the season.

Former double BSB champion Byrne, from the Isle of Sheppey, arrives at the Kent track in third place in the standings, just a point behind Aussie rider Josh Brookes and knows another solid performance this weekend will cement his place in the all-important end of season Showdown which will determine the championship.

For team-mate Stuart Easton, having missed the last two rounds due to injury, the diminutive Hawick rider is desperate to get back and try to stake his claim for a Showdown spot having slipped down the standings. The Scot knows he faces an uphill battle over the next three rounds so nothing short of a pair of podiums this weekend will be good enough for the former British Supersport Champion.

Making his debut when he deputised for Easton on the Superbike at Oulton Park as well as continuing his quest for the Metzeler Superstock 1000 title, Keith Farmer will be concentrating on increasing his slender lead at the top of the table. Aboard the Kawasaki ZX-10R, the Clogher, County Tyrone rider finished on the podium last time out at Oulton Park to increase his series lead to six points but will be hoping of a repeat of his runaway victory on the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit over Easter.

Shane Byrne:  I just love the GP track at Brands Hatch, not only because it is my home track and I’ve had lots of success round there, it’s just brilliant to ride. We struggled a bit at Oulton Park so we have made improvements for this weekend and I’m looking forward to a pair of good races. I’ve upped my game too and have been training really hard so we should be in good shape all round. The weather is looking good too so hopefully there’ll be a big crowd to help me celebrate two victories for the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki team!”

Stuart Easton:  It’s vital I make my comeback this weekend as the 36 points I’m off a Showdown place is recoverable at present, but I can’t concede any more ground. I certainly haven’t given up on my chance to be in the Showdown but I’m realistic and it’s going to be hard. My knee is feeling much better and I was told that the ligament wasn’t damaged which meant it just needed time to heal. The month off has done the trick, hopefully, so I’m looking forward to this weekend as I love the GP circuit and we can start to turn things around.”

Keith Farmer:  Whilst the opportunity of racing the Superbike when Stuart had to withdraw at Oulton Park was fantastic, and I’ve got to thank the team for that, it did affect my performance on the Superstock bike as the grip and handling was so different. This weekend is all about concentrating on the job I’m there to do and the intention is to go out there and win which would do my championship chances a lot of good as there are only four rounds left after this one.”

Paul Bird:  If anyone goes well at Brands Hatch, it’s Shakey and over the years, we have had some good results together so hopefully this weekend will be another memorable one. We need to up our game as one or two of the other teams have managed to steal a march on us in recent rounds so we need to start putting that right and a pair of wins would do nicely. It will be good to have Stuart back and there’s no pressure on him and Keith’s job this weekend is simple; just win!”

Championship Standings (after 13 races)

1 T Hill (Yamaha) 234 points
2 J Brookes (Suzuki) 206
3 S Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 205
4 M Laverty (Honda) 146
5 T Bridewell (BMW) 104
6 N Haga (Yamaha) 102
7 I Lowry (Honda) 98
8 C Walker (Kawasaki) 82
9 J Westmoreland (Honda) 80
10 A Seeley (Suzuki) 78
11 A Lowes (Honda) 73
12 S Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 66