Spectators at the final round of the MCE British Superbikes were treated to a thrilling finale to another enthralling season at Brands Hatch at the weekend.
Josh Brookes became the first Australian since Troy Bayliss in 1999 to win the title, which he did after race one on Saturday afternoon.
Kent’s very own Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne wasn’t giving up his title without a fight despite being 47 points behind going into the weekend.
The first race was turning into an epic battle with Byrne and Brookes swapping places several times in the early laps. Just after the midpoint of the race, Brookes sensed that he could make his move and he did, roaring off into the distance to seal a well-deserved first BSB title.
Howie Mainwaring-Smart was also back at his home circuit and looking to impress with rides for 2016 up for grabs, coming home just inside the points in 14th place.
On Sunday afternoon in front of a packed Brands Hatch and with millions watching at home, the pair went off on another epic battle.
Brookes was looking to continue his clean sweep of victories in the showdown, but Shakey wanted to put on a show in front of his fans at his home track and end the season on a high. Once again for the opening laps the pair swapped places and almost paint as the battled for the lead.
Once again at the midpoint of the race Brookes looked like he sensed an opportunity, and took his chance and built a healthy lead at the front, with Shakey settled in behind for another second place finish.
Mainwaring-Smart once again was battling for a points placed finish, and managed to make it a second point’s finish of the weekend with 13th place.
Race three and the final race of the 2015 season was to throw up some drama for the new champion, as he made one of his only mistakes of the season coming off his bike as he caught the kerb at Graham Hill Bend, having worked his way back-up to second place. It meant that he couldn’t make it seven out of seven wins in the showdown.
It also meant that there was a titanic battle at the front of the race, with Byrne, James Ellison and Michael Laverty, trading positions lap by lap and corner by corner. Ultimately though it was Laverty who took his first win since returning to the BSB, with Ellison second and Byrne rounding off the season with third place.
Mainwaring-Smart saved his best until last as he came home with a sold top ten finish in tenth place, and as an added bonus from the Aylesford based rider, he netted the fastest lap of the race on lap two.
If 2015 is anything to go by then 2016 will be just as entertaining with Ellison already confirmed as returning to JG Speedfit Kawasaki. It was also announced that Byrne would be back with Paul Bird Motorsport next season, but with a new machine underneath him as the team return to Ducati.
Whether Josh Brookes is back to defending his title, we aren’t sure yet, but whether he is or he isn’t 2016 will be another fantastic year for the British Superbike championship. Especially given the news that John Hopkins will be back for a full season, joining the new THM ePayMe Yamaha team for 2016.
Images courtesy of www.psp-images.co.uk