Brands Hatch is set for an almighty Showdown next weekend as the two most successful British Superbikes riders in history go head-to-head for a record-breaking fourth title.
Kent’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne has a slender 12 point lead over Japan’s Ryuichi Kiyonari ahead of the triple-header season finale in Kent, with a maximum score of 75 points up for grabs in the three races.
The pair have battled all season long in their quest to smash the record of MCE BSB title wins. In the most recent round at Silverstone, last weekend, the triple champions scored a win apiece.
Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) and Kiyonari (Buildbase BMW) fought all the way to the finish of race one, with six overtaking manoeuvres on the final lap, and were separated by just 0.074s in the second race.
Byrne said: “The fourth title is massive to me; it is two hands on history. If it happens for myself or Kiyo, one of us will become the most successful rider in the championship’s history ever, period, full stop.”
“I have won the most races and to win the most titles too would be absolutely awesome.”
“I have always said that my target is to set a bar that is going to be really high, so if I win this year then I want to win it next year and so on.”
“For now we are concentrating on getting three wins at Brands Hatch. Fingers crossed we can get the job done and walk away from Brands Hatch as a very happy boy.”
Kiyonari said: “Brands Hatch GP circuit is one of my favourite tracks and now we have nothing to lose. I have to win all three races; I can’t let Shakey finish in front of me as he has a 12 point lead.”
“I am thinking of all the different things that can happen and the championship all the time. I have to keep strong and keep pushing – it is very simple now.
“For sure we have pressure, it would be the fourth title, the first for the team, the first time for BMW, so there are many important things. The pressure is more and more, but we will be trying hard to win the three races.”
The event kicks off with free practice on Friday with the Datatag Qualifying session and opening MCE BSB race on Saturday.
Sunday features the final two MCE BSB races of the season in addition to an action-packed support class programme with the Motorpoint British Supersport, Pirelli National Superstock 600 and Eastern Airways British Sidecar Championships still to be decided.
Spectators can also get closer to their on-track heroes during the free-of-charge pit walk on Sunday’s main raceday.
Weekend admission and camping for the MCE British Superbike season finale at Brands Hatch on 17/18/19 October is available now from just £51. Kids under 13 go free.
To book tickets now call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk