Brookes gets WSB call-up

HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes will be back on track next weekend at the opening round of the World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island, after receiving a call to deputise for the injured Broc Parkes on the Echo-CRS Honda.

Parkes has been forced out of the opening race due to a broken leg sustained in training and Brookes is now hoping he can benefit from the added track time and give the home crowds something to cheer about before he begins pre-season testing in Spain with the HM Plant Honda team.

Brookes will get his first chance to test the Echo-CRS Honda this weekend ahead of the opening round.

Brookes said: “I got the call up by the Echo-CRS team to replace Broc after he got injured so I got straight in touch with the HM Plant Honda team and asked if I could do the race and they said yes.

“So from then on it’s been a mad rush trying to get things organised. I’m leaving home today to drive down to Phillip Island to do a test ride this weekend, which is great because I don’t know a single thing about the bike or the team.

“This test will allow me to get to know the bike and the guys I will be working with before the race weekend.

“I am excited to be in WSBK again but I really don’t know what to expect just yet because history tells us that jumping on someone else’s bike at the last minute doesn’t always make a good race result.

“I always try my best and I have had great success at Phillip Island before so you just never know what will happen.

“Regardless of the result, it means I will be on a bike for five days more then I would have been if I didn’t take this opportunity.

“It would be great if I can get a good set-up that I can go fast on so there is another BSB rider sticking it up there. Also to ride in front of the Ozzie fans again will be amazing.

“I have lots of support here at home and they obviously haven’t been able to come and watch me race at the track when I am in the UK so they have been missing the JB action recently.”