BSB Mallory Park: Riders and team managers fuming after crash

Riders and team managers are still fuming after the incident in today’s opening British Superbike race at Mallory Park when Josh Brookes triggered a crash that saw six of the leading runners eliminated.

Stuart Hicken, team boss of Buildbase Kawasaki, saw his rider John Laverty miss out on at least a sixth place finish when he crashed on oil left by Brookes’ Honda and whilst he could sympathise with Race Director Stuart Higgs’ decision, the same couldn’t be applied to Brookes.

“Stuart’s gone by the rulebook and I feel sorry for him a bit as he’s been taking some stick from some of the teams but he had little choice but to follow the rules that are laid down. What I can’t accept though is the stupidity of Brookes. I can forgive it happening once like at Donington but it can’t be excused a second time and I wouldn’t want to see him on the grid on the second race here or at Brands. Something needs to be done.”

“We’ve worked really hard for two days to give us a chance of a podium and that’s what we thought John could achieve today. His rear tyre was in great condition and he was ready to make a move in the closing laps so to be taken out by an out of control rider is just not on.”