Langwathby-based Paul Bird Motorsport has won the British Superbike Championship for the eighth time.
VisionTrack Ducati’s Josh Brookes put in two stunning rides at Brands Hatch to win both Bennetts British Superbike Championship races and in doing so, clinched the 2020 crown.
The Australian put aside the disappointment of Saturday’s fourth place finish to score maximum points in both 20-lap races today to secure his second title, adding to the one he won in 2015.
There was further celebration for the Cumbrian team with Christian Iddon taking third and fourth on the day to clinch third overall in the final championship standings.
The team was defending the title they won last year for Ducati with Scott Redding.
The opening race of the day saw Brookes and Iddon start from third and fourth respectively on the grid and it was clear Brookes was in determined mood.
He grabbed the lead at the third corner on the opening lap, promptly opening up a gap over the rest of the field on the factory-supported VisionTrack Ducati Panigale V4R.
Brookes controlled the opening race thereafter to take his fourth win of the season ahead of fellow Aussie Jason O’Halloran with Iddon in third meaning all three riders were still in contention for the title going into the series finale with Brookes leading O’Halloran by 12 points and Iddon just 18 points adrift of his teammate.
The final race of the season saw Brookes and Iddon start from second and fourth on the grid and once again Brookes took the lead immediately and was never headed. Despite extreme pressure from both Tarran Mackenzie and teammate O’Halloran, he swept to a 19th victory around the Brands Hatch GP circuit and a 54th career win, clinching the title in the process.
For Iddon, his title challenge just fell short as he ended the second race in fourth place which saw him clinch third overall in the standings, a superb effort in his first year with the team.
Paul Bird, team owner, said: “That went to plan and congratulations to Josh who rode impeccably under such pressure.
“He never buckled at all and he deserves the championship, I’m just glad he got out of bed the right side today!
“I’d like to thank Stuart Higgs and his team for their hard work in getting the championship on although it’s been strange and sad without the fans. “Well done to Christian too, he’s been a pleasure to work with this season and third in the final standings is a great achievement on his first year in the team.
“That’s eight titles and 123 race wins now so thanks to our sponsors, my friends and my family and a special mention for my dad, without whose help none of this would be possible so this one’s for him.”
