Ignominious end to 2015 for champion Brookes

Josh Brookes’ 2015 season came to something of an ignominious end during the third and final race of the MCE British Superbike weekend at Brands Hatch, when he crashed out at Graham Hill Bend on the eighth lap of the race.

Admitting after the crash that it came from carelessness after a brief mistake, it’s testament to both rider and crew – and his changed mentality this season – that the crash marked his first non-finish of the season.

“I was coming through the pack with some ease and wasn’t too worried about where I was – then suddenly I was on the floor. I couldn’t see through Michael Laverty; racing with Shakey all year, I can almost subconsciously judge where the apex of a corner is from his riding style.

“With someone in front of you, you can’t quite judge where the apex of a corner is and you have to sometimes tip in on faith. I made a mistake, I clipped the kerb with the engine case, and the rest is history!”