BSB VICTORY!
We had an AMAZING day at Brands Hatch, Sunday 9th October for the closing rounds of the British Superbike championship. The weather was gorgeous, the races were very exciting, and the guys and girls at Swan Yamaha looked after us extremely well.
The Swan Yamaha team were definitely celebrating after Tommy Hill secured a maiden MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship title with a sensational performance in the final race of the year to beat title rival John Hopkins to the line by just 0.006 seconds. The second place meant that Hill was crowned champion with a two point advantage at the end of the season.
Hill had missed out on a podium in the second race with a fourth place and just two points separated him from title rival Hopkins ahead of the last race of the year. In the final race the pair swapped places five times on the final lap, which would decide the outcome of the title. Hill narrowly crossed the line ahead to secure second and with it a maiden championship title for the team.
Michael Laverty was caught out by the drying conditions in the second race but in the season finale he was embroiled in the fight for the final podium positions before ending the race in fifth place. Laverty ended the season fourth in the standings for the Swan Yamaha team.
Hill said: "I am gobsmacked to have won the title for Swan Yamaha; this has been my goal and I was trying to stay as relaxed as possible in that final race. The season has put a lot of pressure on everyone and that reflects on everyone. We have been regularly finishing in the top three and that has therefore been the benchmark and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team have been working so hard all year to make this possible. It has just been a complete shock for me and I feel like we should be having another race next weekend now! It wasn't until the other riders started congratulating me that I even realised I had won as it was so close between myself and Hopper.
"It has been a long hard season and it came down to that one race. Everyone wanted a Showdown and that is what we have given them; it really was make or break time and I knew I had to do everything possible to beat Hopper. I knew Michael (Laverty) was behind me, but then when I knew it was Josh (Brookes) I had to just go for it. Coming across the line we didn't know who had finished second and with it the title. At the moment I feel like I need someone to punch me or something to bring me back to reality. I just want to go out and race again now! I just want to celebrate now with my family, friends and the whole of the Swan Yamaha team and I need to thank everyone for their support this season."
Laverty said: "Today has been a great result for the Swan Yamaha team and congratulations have to go to Tommy for winning the title. I rode my hardest to try and protect him and the rest of the hard work he did himself. There is a lot of satisfaction for the team tonight but at the same time I am disappointed that we were not able to come away as the champion. We have been fast all season long and we showed again yesterday with the win that we have the pace. It has been a great year and I need to thank the Swan Yamaha team for all their support."
Team Owner Shaun Muir concluded: "We delivered everything we set out to achieve at the start of the season although we have made life difficult along the way! It didn't start the best for Tommy this weekend but he couldn't have done more in that race. Big thanks also have to go to Michael for his support in the final race as he did a great job of acting as Tommy's wingman. We want to take this opportunity to thank all of our sponsors, partners and supporters who have made this possible."
Many thanks to the hospitality team, we all had a great time.
Photos by Andy Robinson. Check out our Facebook page as we add more great shots from the weekend.
September 25th - Silverstone
In the opening race of the day Laverty took the lead before championship leader John Hopkins passed him on the ninth lap at Stowe. Laverty was trying to regain the position but a mistake cost him the chance of victory as he had failed to see the last lap flag or pit board on the final lap and had to settle for second. Hill took third place as he fought hard to maintain his podium finishing form that has seen him maintain second in the overall standings ahead of the final round.
In the second race Laverty again took the lead before the leading Title Fighters battled for the podium positions. Hill then hit the front, but with four laps remaining he was pushed to second but still scored vital points for the championship as Laverty secured fourth. Hill lies second in the standings, eight points adrift of the championship leader whilst Laverty leaves Silverstone in fourth place overall.
Hill said: "We have left Silverstone second in the standings and still ready for the title fight at Brands Hatch. I was feeling frustrated with third place in the first race; it wasn't a bad result in terms of a podium finish and consistency is important but not when a certain American is winning races ahead of us. I really thought we could challenge for the win and we did pull them in towards the end after they had got a bit of a gap. We obviously wanted more in race two and again I had mixed emotions for that race as I was pleased that I had John (Hopkins) behind me for the championship, but also I want to win badly for myself and the Swan Yamaha team. We had a few issues with set up this weekend and I did struggle with grip but I knew I just had to push on because every point counts. Josh (Brookes) came past me and I wanted to have a go but the championship tapped me on the back of my head and I knew that the points would be critical coming in to Brands Hatch and the last three races."
Laverty said: "Race one was going to plan and I was feeling comfortable with the pace and I followed John (Hopkins) for a few laps but I made a stupid mistake because I hadn't seen my pit board or the last lap flag and so I didn't take a punt to get passed him. I was a bit frustrated with that and I wanted to make amends in the second race. In the second one I took the lead on the first lap, but John Hopkins got passed me and before I knew it I was back to third. I was suffering with some brake issues and the race was getting a bit messy as everyone was making lunges and it was all pretty hectic! I think if I had been able to get to the front I could have controlled the pace but I just didn't get the chance I needed. We will re-group though and come back for Brands Hatch and the last three races of the season ready to get back on that podium."
Swan Yamaha team owner Shaun Muir concluded: "I am delighted that we leave Silverstone still in contention for the championship and the racing today just shows that all of the riders out there are giving it everything. The title will go down to the wire and it was just a shame that the race was red flagged as I think Michael could have made a move to take the last place on the podium."