Brookes denied UK entry visa
Added on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Brookes denied UK entry visa
Josh Brookes will miss the start of the British Superbikes season after failing to secure an entry visa to the UK.
The Australian was due to arrive in the UK this week but problems with his visa application have seen his entry application turned down by Border Force officials. The 25-year-old has been ordered to return home until those problems have been resolved.
HM Plant Honda have been quick to find a replacement, with Supersport rider Steve Plater stepping up to BSB and partnering Glen Richards at Brands Hatch. Plater will also ride in the Sunday’s Supersport race.
“I am really looking forward to getting out there on a Superbike again and I want to do the best possible job for the HM Plant Honda team in both the Superbike and the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship,” Plater told the official BSB website.
“It will be absolutely awesome to ride the bike especially as it will be the same as I will race at the North West 200 and the Isle of Man later in the year so it will be some good track time for me. It will be a busy weekend but I know I am going to go out there and give it my best shot!”
Brookes isn’t the first sportsman to have trouble with entry visas following a tightening of immigration regulations being introduced earlier this year. Already this year, a number of Australian and New Zealand international rugby players have been denied entry to the UK having previously signed with English clubs.
