Josh Brookes managed to secure his second win at Brands Hatch this weekend, winning the championship despite constant challenges from James Ellison and Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

From the outset, Brookes came out on top, securing first place in race one, although it was race two that truly got pulses thumping. Here the constant battle between Byrne, Brookes, John Hopkins and Michael Laverty, which saw the riders jostling throughout the entire race, was marked by the grit and determination of Brookes. In the end it all paid off, and the Milwaukee Yamaha rider finished 3.842 seconds faster than Byrne, weighing in with 701 points to Byrne’s 646.

Race three saw Brookes trying for a third win, but unfortunately this evaded the champion as he crashed out on the eighth lap. Taking the initiative, Laverty came to the fore, casting off endless competition from Byrne and Ellison and finally coming in at first place, enjoying his first win of the season. Although it was close – just 0.237 seconds separated Laverty and Ellison – the Tyco BMW rider showed deft skill. Ellison, second, was followed by Byrne and Dan Linfoot, with Christian Iddon in fifth.

At the end of an amazing season, Brookes took 703 points, Byrne had 662, Ellison finished with 614, and Laverty pushed just over the 600 barrier with 601 points.