Swan Yamaha's Tommy Hill celebrated victory at his home circuit as he took the third and final race victory of the weekend at Brands Hatch after edging ahead of Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki's John Hopkins as the pressure now mounts ahead of the Cadwell Park round Showdown decider on August Bank Holiday.
Hill again took the hole shot into Paddock Hill Bend from Hopkins and Byrne on the opening lap with the trio closely followed by Michael Laverty. Hill was desperate to maintain his position at the front of the field after missing out in the earlier race and was pushing hard ahead of Hopkins as Laverty and Byrne were embroiled in a battle for third place and the final podium position.
Race one winner Josh Brookes had his final race of the weekend ended prematurely when the Relentless Suzuki by TAS was shown the black/orange flag for smoke and he was forced to retire on the fifth lap.
Hill and Hopkins meanwhile were in close contention at the front of the field, but Byrne and Laverty were scrapping for third place, with the Swan Yamaha rider trying to pass at Druids on the twelfth lap, but Byrne held a tight line and Laverty was forced to settle back in to fourth. Laverty was shadowing his HM Plant Honda rival and made several attempts to pass but Byrne was defending hard.
The second HM Plant Honda of Ryuichi Kiyonari was trying to make amends from his fourth row start and despite being outside the top ten at the end of the opening lap he had a resurgent race to work up the order to sixth as the Japanese ace then attacked Michael Rutter hard on the final lap but the Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati rider held on to the position.
Gary Mason took seventh place ahead of Joan Lascorz in eighth with Peter Hickman and Jon Kirkham rounding out the top ten. Graeme Gowland scored a hat trick of Mirror.co.uk BSB Evo race wins holding off team-mates Glen Richards and Jake Zemke.
MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch GP, race three result: 1.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha)2.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +4.113s3.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +5.236s4.Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +5.409s5.Michael Rutter (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +10.705s6.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +11.049s7.Gary Mason (MSS Colchester Kawasaki) +13.689s8.Joan Lascorz (Kawasaki WSB) +13.950s9.Peter Hickman (WFR Honda) +19.382s10.Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +19.770sMCE Insurance British Superbike Championship standings after Brands Hatch: 1.Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 2552.John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 2313.Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 2104.Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 1635.Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 1466.Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 135The next round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is the August Bank Holiday (27-29 August) 'Party in the Park' at Cadwell Park.
Don't miss the triple-header round that will decide the six riders that will become 'Title Fighters' in the Showdown.
Advance adult tickets cost £25 online in advance with children aged 12 and under free. Book now at cadwellpark.co.uk or call0843 453 9000.
