Brookes takes Flyin' Haggis award at Knockhill

Josh Brookes collected a double podium at Knockhill British Superbike round earlier today with two fine second placed finishes behind double winner Shane Byrne. The Australian rider also received the Flying Haggis Award – in memory of the late great Steve Hislop – for the fastest lap of the weekend; presented by Steve’s mum Margaret and his sons Aaron and Conor Hislop.

Josh Brookes:

“In race one I wanted to lead and push to try and make a break on Shakey, but I hit a bit of a wall with my lap times, as the rear tyre was spinning up more than normal – maybe with the track temperature today. We did come together at one stage when he tried to make a pass but it’s wasn’t a big impact, but Shakey came back past and I had to settle for second.

“In race two it was mentally tough watching Shakey ride away from me, but it also spurred me on and I actually made some time back on him towards the end of the race. I just focused on narrowing it down bit-by-bit and seeing the gap come down gave me energy and encouragement. 

“I did a brilliant lap to win the Steve Hislop Award, which is a great honour to receive, and we are now second in the championship. It’s all about moving forward now and trying to bridge that gap to Shakey from the next round at Snetterton at the start of July.” 

Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“Knockhill hasn’t been that kind to us in the past in Superbike. And just coming off a busy period, it’s fair to say our expectations weren’t that high, but I’m very pleased with how Josh came away with two second places and the fastest lap of the weekend.

“There was a bit of pressure on him to be fair with people asking the question, was the road racing going to disrupt Josh in his BSB, and although we always believed that it wouldn’t – there’s always a chance that it could have. Although I believe it made him slightly sharper and definitely more determined.

British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, race one result:

1. Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)

2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.069s

3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +5.013s

4. Keith Farmer (Kawasaki) +16.821s

5. Chris Walker (Kawasaki)  +19.033s

6. James Westmoreland (BMW) +23.733s

7. James Ellison (Yamaha) +24.080s

8. Dan Linfoot (Honda) +24.214s

9. PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +24.265s

10. Peter Hickman (Honda) +24.711s

British Superbike Championship, Knockhill, race two result:

1. Shane Byrne (Kawasaki)

2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +0.814s

3. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Honda) +8.637s

4. Alex Lowes (Honda) +12.723s

5. Chris Walker (Kawasaki) +15.620s

6. James Westmoreland (BMW) +19.802s

7. PJ Jacobsen (Tyco Suzuki) +23.382s

8. Jon Kirkham (BMW) +23.867s

9. Peter Hickman (Honda) +24.092s

10. Howie Mainwaring (Kawasaki) +31.061s

British Superbike Championship standings after race two:

1. Shane Byrne (Kawasaki) 166

2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 136

3. Alex Lowes (Honda) 130

4. James Ellison (Yamaha) 80

5. Jon Kirkham (BMW) 76

6. Chris Walker (Kawasaki) 65

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