Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing's Josh Brookes had a frustrating weekend at the Donington Park British Superbike Championship 10th round, having to dig deep and fight hard for two top-six finishes in the Superbike Showdown.
The GSX-R1000-mounted Australian will now look to re-group and come out fighting for podium-finishes at Silverstone in two weeks' time
Josh Brookes:
"There's not a lot to say really. I rode my backside off this weekend for fifth and sixth places. Everyone congratulated me at Brands when I won there, but that was easy: This weekend we rode really hard and got nothing for it. It just didn't come good for us. All we can do now is prepare-well for Silverstone."
Philip Neill - Team Manager:
"Josh is obviously disappointed, as we all are, after fighting so hard to make the top-six for the Showdown. It's frustrating to come away from Donington not having challenged the leaders, but Josh just couldn't find a comfortable-enough set-up to give him the confidence to push that little bit extra. A crash on Friday was not the perfect way to start any weekend, but we'll get some testing under our belt and come out firing on all cylinders at Silverstone."
British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race one result:
1: John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Suzuki) 2: Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) +0.480s 3: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +0.781s 4: Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +3.920s 5: Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +6.345s 6: Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +10.281s 7: Peter Hickman (Tyco Honda) +13.141s 8: James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +18.578s 9: Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +22.154s 10: Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +22.543s
British Superbike Championship, Donington Park, race two result:
1: John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Suzuki) 2: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) +1.986s 3: Jon Kirkham (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) +3.315s 4: Martin Jessopp (Rapid Solicitors-Bathams Ducati) +5.978s 5: Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) +8.324s 6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) +12.236s 7: James Ellison (Sorrymate.com Honda) +12.541s 8: Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) +22.445s 9: Chris Walker (Pr1mo Racing Kawasaki) +16.308s 10: Graeme Gowland (WFR Honda) +26.746s
British Superbike Championship standings after Donington Park:
1: John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Suzuki) 568 2: Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 565 3: Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 543 4: Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 532 5: Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 530 6: Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 518
