The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is arguably in its richest vein of form for a number of years. Ten different race winners and all five manufacturers taking not only podiums but also, more importantly, race wins across the season along with some of the closest racing and tightest finishes in any series. The public outcry on social media for fast, young talent is also showing well as Kent boys Jake Dixon and Bradley Ray along with Cadwell Park lap-record holder Lee Jackson show that the talent is definitely out there. The results also show that the BSB Regulations, however difficult to implement for each of those race-winning manufacturers, are working. But make no mistake, it's been a tough road for the majority of those teams. Like Coldplay sang, nobody said it was easy...
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| Photo: BSB Website/Double Red |
Every team has had its difficult times this season, some more than others as keen followers of the sport have witnessed. With two brand new motorcycles joining the fray in 2017, in the Honda Fireblade and the Suzuki GSX-R 1000, it's been down to Honda Racing and Bennett's Suzuki to hone these much-lauded machines to BSB own unique style.
The bulk of the initial development of these racing motorcycles is done invariably with the manufacturer's own native electronics; ECUs that are loaded with rider aids, sensors and all sorts of goodies designed to encourage the bike to behave as well as making the undoubted power work in the best way possible. Take those ECUs away and replace them with control MoTec units and it opens up a whole new world of hurdles to clear. The Panigale has had problems; the BMW had problems, as did the Yamaha so race bike development is nothing new in BSB, it's down to how soon and how well teams can overcome those electronic hurdles and using the Pirelli control tyres, not Bridgestone, Michelin or Dunlop or whatever rubber the manufacturers preferred. It ALL makes a difference.
We all remember 2011. That incredible battle between Tommy Hill and John Hopkins and the unified, excitable tones of Jack Burnicle and James Whitham on commentary, "HILL...BY SIX THOUSANDTHS OF A SECOND!!" (no, I didn't look that up and yes, it still gives me goosebumps!). It was, for me, the pinnacle season of BSB to which all other seasons will be measured. We've come close since, when Alex Lowes and Samsung Honda took the title by just 7 points in 2013 but more recent years have promised so much and, for various reasons, not quite delivered. I have a feeling that this year will be different...
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| Photo: BSB Website/Double Red |
Byrne and his Be Wiser Ducati took the double at Brands Hatch back in July. Leon Haslam was third and fifth while Brookes took fifth in race one but a rare DNF in race two dented his consistency, consoled only with a new lap record around what is often referred to as "Shakey's Back Yard". There is no doubt that Byrne will be going to Brands with the express purpose of winning all three races, that's clear a no-brainer, he has to, as will Haslam and Brookes! Haslam has only finished ahead of Byrne once in 7 races around the full GP circuit, by less than 0.1 seconds in race two last October in mixed conditions, so he's got his work cut out to keep that points gap. Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha man Brookes won't give up either as the July round showed, he had the pace to run with the leaders and it's also a track he's had some strong results on.
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| Photo: BSB Website/Double Red |
Don't get me wrong, it's not ALL about those three. Yes, in terms of the championship it pretty much is (sorry, Jake Dixon), but for the races it's anything but cut and dried. If the weather stays dry (there are fingers crossed across the land for that!) it's hard to see past Byrne on recent form around Brands Hatch. That said, his results since the summer round have shown that there are clearly still some issues plaguing the Ducati Panigale with no wins registered since his back to back doubles in July. Byrne's form is currently the weakest of the three, picking up 92 points since the last visit to Brands Hatch, while Brookes has out-scored Haslam and his JG Speedfit Kawasaki 141 to 136 over the same period.
Added in to the podium mix, I expect a battling RAF & Reserves Kawasaki man Jake Dixon to want to regain the form he showed mid-season, it's also his home round along with Buildbase Suzuki's Brad Ray, so he'll have added reasons to perform. Smith's BMW man Peter Hickman will be looking to finish his already successful season on a high as will McAMS Yamaha's James Ellison, who makes no secret of his love for the longer GP circuit. Honda Racing's Dan Linfoot and Jason O'Halloran, Moto Rapido's John Hopkins and maybe even Sylvain Guintoli, subject to the trees and armco not being too close, and his ever-developing Bennett's Suzuki are all podium contenders and will all want their say in finishing the season on a strong performance. It's only then that, all of a sudden, it becomes even less of a certainty as to who'll take the flag in all three races and ultimately the biggest prize in domestic racing.
Bring on the finale!
