Jack Giordmaina reports on the end of the superbike season…
Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne was able to celebrate in style as he became the most successful rider in British Superbike history by claiming a fourth title at Brands Hatch.
After crashing out of Saturday’s first race, the series leader was able to regroup with a win in race two on Sunday that secured the title, before rounding off the season with a 10th victory in the third and final race.
With the ‘war for four’ between Byrne and title challenger Ryuichi Kiyonari set to dominate proceedings, the weekend took an unfortunate turn when Kiyonari suffered a crash trying to navigate tricky conditions during final practice which ruled him out of the race weekend with a fractured left collarbone.
With his path to a fourth title now seemingly clear, Byrne could have been forgiven for taking a conservative approach, though any hope of this was soon forgotten when the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider spun out of the opening race, meaning neither title challenger would add to their points tally going into Sunday.
As confirmation came through on Sunday that Kiyonari would not be making an appearance Byrne knew that a fourth-place finish would suffice for him to become champion, and following a titanic three-way battle with James Ellison and Howie Mainwaring the Lambeth rider prevailed by 1.904s to seal his historic feat.
Now with the pressure alleviated the newly-crowned champion ended the season in the same manner it had begun for him in April – by winning the day’s final race to cap a memorable year.
Byrne led off the start from the Milwaukee Yamaha’s of Josh Brookes and Tommy Bridewell, as the teammates scrapped it out to finish third in the overall standings.
Brookes would soon put the pressure on Byrne, making a move into Paddock Hill Bend on the fourth lap. The Australian then claimed the lead for a brief spell, though Byrne fought back instantly to reclaim the position.
Byrne held onto the lead before the safety car was deployed for debris on the track. At the restart he was able to keep the chasing pack behind him before the race came to a premature end, as it was red flagged with two laps remaining.
Having clinched his four titles over an 11-year span (2003, 2008, 2012 and 2014) Byrne will be hoping his longevity and desire will continue into 2015, but for now the 38-year-old can revel in a record that sets him apart from the rest.