This weekend tens of thousands of fans will descend on the legendary Brands Hatch circuit for the crucial triple-header MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship finale.
Six riders from six different teams are still in contention for the coveted title as the ‘day of reckoning’ beckons in Kent.
Local ace Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne arrives at his home circuit with a slender nine point lead over his closest rival as the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider bids to equal the record of three championship titles.
Byrne said: “The target for all of us is the same; they have to beat me and I need to beat them. Earlier in the year you could afford a second or a third but now that won’t be enough. Mathematically it is possible for all six of us to win the title so we will all be going to try and win the three races. I have one goal and that is to win the title.”
Australian Josh Brookes lies second in the standings as he bids for a maiden title, however young gun Alex Lowes closed the gap at Silverstone last time out and is only 15 points adrift of the Tyco Suzuki rider with a maximum of 75 points available this weekend.
Defending champion Tommy Hill faces one of the biggest challenges of his career if he is going to overturn the 42 point deficit he has to Byrne, but the Swan Yamaha rider is determined to fight back at the circuit where he won the 2011 title in sensational style. Michael Laverty and Tommy Bridewell are also in with a shot of a maiden championship win as the title fight goes down to the wire.
Hill said: “We definitely want to go to Brands Hatch and turn things around. It is gutting how the last few rounds have been but that is how racing goes sometimes. We have to aim for the triple win as if we do that there is nothing more than we can do. I just need to try and win all three races and then anything can still happen. If it does then I need to be in a position to pick up the pieces.”
Supporting the three MCE BSB races will be the Motorpoint British Supersport Championship, the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 and 600 Championships, the Monster Energy Motostar Championship, the one make Triumph Triple Challenge and the Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championship. Fans can meet the riders during a free of charge pit walk on Sunday’s raceday and big screens around the circuit mean you won’t miss any of the racing drama!
Discounted advance tickets for the final round of the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch on 12/13/14 October are available until midday Wednesday from £25. Children aged 12 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk