BSB: Haslam: 'We'll need to be quicker in October!'

Leon Haslam left Brands Hatch concerned about his lack of pace despite salvaging two rostrum finishes from a circuit he’s struggled at in the past.

While the JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider extended his series lead with two third places in Sunday’s two races, he lacked the final few tenths to compete with Brookes and Irwin at the front – which isn’t ideal considering this is the venue where the 2018 Bennetts BSB title will be decided in October.

“This has never been my best circuit, but it’s a really important one as this is where the title is decided,” Haslam said. “We didn’t have the pace to win this weekend so it’s something we’ll need to look at before the Showdown as it’s no good coming into the final three races here knowing my rivals are stronger.

“That being said, winning a championship is about maximising your stronger circuits and damage limitation at your weaker ones and I’d say two podiums is pretty good at a circuit where the Ducati and Yamaha are clearly a bit stronger than us.” 

Haslam now heads to Japan where he’ll compete in the prestigious Suzuka Eight Hour race for the factory Kawasaki team before returning to the UK to race at Thruxton, another track he’s struggled at in the past.