Byrne sweeps British finale

From britishsuperbike.com

Airwaves Ducati's Shane Byrne took the final race wins of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season at Brands Hatch Sunday.

The new champion hadn't been on the top step of the podium since Mallory Park earlier on this season.

"I have really been able to let my hair down this weekend now the championship is won and I am really enjoying this event," Byrne said after the opening race. "We have been really strong with the Airwaves Ducati all weekend and now I just want to go out in race two and make it a double.

"I have been really careful at the last rounds as the championship has been the bigger picture and the team put a lot of faith into me. The title was to repay them but I am so pleased to have given them another win. For sure two wins would be the perfect send off."

In the first race Cal Crutchlow got a flying start off the line onboard the HM Plant Honda, with Byrne tucked in behind, but after several failed attempts the new champion forced his way through at Druids to take the lead and despite Crutchlow still trying to take the lead back he was unable to make a move stick on the Airwaves Ducati.

Hydrex Bike Animal Honda's James Ellison had clearly benefited from the changes made during warm up and managed to pass Leon Haslam to take third. The pair were almost inseparable but towards the latter stages of the race the 'Pocket Rocket' was clearly feeling the pain from his injured right shoulder, which was injured in a heavy crash during the previous day's Swan Combi 50 - Roll for Pole session.

Leon Camier was fifth on the second of the Airwaves Ducatis with Michael Rutter ending the race in seventh. Simon Andrews worked his way up to eighth after holding off Jon Kirkham and Tristan Palmer.

Byrne won the second race after a final fight with Haslam on the last lap.

"I really don't know what to say, that was one of my best races this year and all credit to Leon Haslam in that race as he did a fantastic job," Byrne said. "I was running at a good pace and I knew I just had to close on Leon and I tried to make a pass at Paddock Hill and he just held the line and I couldn't get through. I was lucky with a backmarker and had the better line and was able to use it to my advantage."

Haslam took the lead on the opening lap as the pack streamed through Paddock Hill Bend for the first time. Crutchlow was able to move up to second past Tom Sykes on the inside at Druids, with Ellison running fourth ahead of Byrne.

'Shakey' was on the move though, passing Ellison at Clearways on lap five, with teammate Camier making the move on Ellison just a lap later.

Byrne was able to move to third at Paddock Hill Bend when he dived past Sykes then he had Crutchlow in his sights. It wasn't until lap 15 that Crutchlow became his next victim though; Byrne forced his way up the inside at Druids.

Camier was also on the move on the second Airwaves Ducati, scrapping with Sykes for several laps before he was finally able to hold the position, then with 10 laps remaining he was able to also get the better of Crutchlow.

On the final lap the pressure was on both race leader Haslam and the challenging Byrne. The Airwaves Ducati tried to forced a move at Paddock Hill Bend, but a determined Haslam held him off, with the pair almost touching.

As the pair approached Surtees they reached the backmarkers with Byrne diving one way and Haslam the other. Byrne was able to take the best line and hold the lead in the drag race to the flag.

Race One Results
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +1.892
3. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +2.144
4. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) +2.190
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +5.747
6. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) +6.559
7. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +19.335
8. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +20.002
9. Jon Kirkham (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +23.528
10. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) +25.241

Race Two Results
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 1.817
3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +4.305
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +8.561
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +9.783
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +11.400
7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +24.265
8. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +25.844
9. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +25.867
10. Jon Kirkham (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +33.101

Final Standings
1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 474
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 357
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 318
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 316
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 306
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 256
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 230
8. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) 176
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 141
10. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) 111