Brookes closes in on title with Brands pole position

Josh Brookes has closed in even closer to his debut MCE British Superbike championship after taking pole position at Brands Hatch in damp conditions.

Taking advantage of the incoming rain, the Australian was able to capitalise on his traditional early start to ensure one of the only fast times of the lap. He’ll start alongside teammate Jakub Smrz, with Danny Buchan the first of the PBM Kawasakis in third.

Christian Iddon was fourth on the Bennetts Suzuki, while Shane Byrne, the only man who can stop Brookes’ charge for the title was in fifth. John Hopkins completed the second wave.

The weekend’s racing action gets underway this afternoon, with the first of the triple hear races. With Brookes 47 points clear, a podium finish ahead of Shane Byrne will be all he needs to take title honours.