Shakey back to winning ways as Brookes goes last to fourth at Oulton Park

Courtesy of MCE British Superbike Championship

Results Race one: 1: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 2: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.780s 3: Danny Buchan (Be Wiser Kawasaki) +1.784s 4: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) +4.421s 5: Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +10.605s 6: Luke Mossey (Quattro Plant Kawasaki) +10.820s Championship standings: 1: Josh Brookes (Milwaukee Yamaha) 329 2: Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) 302 3: James Ellison (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) 167 4: Tommy Bridewell (Tyco BMW) 141 5: Stuart Easton (PBM Kawasaki) 139 6: Michael Laverty (Tyco BMW) 133 Report Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne returned to winning ways in the opening of the three MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship races at Oulton Park, claiming his 67th career victory whilst his arch rival Josh Brookes carved his way through the pack from 30th to fourth. PBM Kawasaki’s Byrne had earlier scorched his way to the pole position with the fastest ever two-wheeled lap of the Cheshire circuit and in the opening race he launched to an early lead ahead of Tommy Bridewell, James Ellison and Danny Buchan who were all in close contention. Bridewell, who had won at the circuit in May, was looking strong in the early stages as he pushed hard in his quest to claim a Showdown position, cutting the gap to within 0.283s of Byrne only to be forced out by machine problems with his Tyco BMW. It leaves the Wiltshire rider with work to do in tomorrow’s (Sunday) two races to secure his place in the top six, alongside the already qualified Byrne, Brookes and Ellison. Ellison who returned to action at Oulton Park after breaking his wrist at Thruxton, took the fight at the front to Byrne before claiming second place on the JG Speedfit Kawasaki, a result that ensured he made the cut into the Showdown by a single point. MCE BSB rookie Buchan celebrated a debut MCE BSB podium finish for himself and the Be Wiser Kawasaki team, just adrift of Ellison. In fourth place Brookes delivered a gutsy performance to finish fourth after starting from the back of the grid after a technical problem with his Milwaukee Yamaha in Datatag qualifying. Brookes rode hard, picking up ten places on the opening lap, and then making further inroads as he charged into fourth place, but after missing out on the podium Byrne has regained the advantage by one point in the Podium Points table. Dan Linfoot boosted his hopes of making the Showdown in fifth place for Honda Racing, as he now has a 17 point deficit to sixth placed Michael Laverty in the standings ahead of tomorrow’s two races. For more information visit http://www.britishsuperbike.com Shane Byrne (PBM Kawasaki) Race winner   “I want to be five times champion but I am not going to do that finishing in sixth or fourth or whatever but since Brands Hatch we have had a really bad run, so I know how easily things can turn around! No stone was left unturned and now it is my bike again. “That race there was kind of tricky, I wanted to go out and try and get away but at the same time I didn’t want to go out and get away and then suffer at the end of the race. We have 18 laps of data now so the team can have a look at that and we are on pole for tomorrow’s first race. The 67th win is finally off my back, so a massive thanks to Paul Bird and everyone who stands by me.”