SURPRISE!
S urprise indeed! And as surprises go, this was a pretty big it one formost, andmost especially to the fella whog ot –Shane Byrne. Or, by rights , six-times BSB champion, Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne... round at The ex Fast Bikes boy went into thefinal, triple race Leon Haslam. Brands Hatch over 30 points behind series leader Shakey may be a Brands Hatch specialist, but Has la mis no slouch of title there and his team-mate Luke Mossey, despite being out into the contention, is also a Brands specialist. So, Leon went crown and a weekend with a fairly firmgrip on his firstever BSB go wrong? better chance of having some back-up –what could Well, and it pains us to say this though regular readers may ago, but something remember us saying as much just an issue or so injury, or whatever, always seems to happen to Leon. Be that bad luck, his ambitions, something always seems to come along to scupper time and again–and its truck once more at the finale. was alittle Possibly the pressure upon his shoulders meant he looked out of sorts, but it wasn’t until free practice two that Leon out, meaning anything like himself. Then in qualifying he crashed a fight through the pack in the first race. He finished fourth while the sametime Shakey won, not a disaster by any means, but at too well. he and the Kawasaki didnot seem to be getting on alot, gambled, For race two on the Sunday, they changed the bike while fromthe and that flutter back fired hugely. He finished tenth, communicating outside it seemed again like he and the bike were not on Sunday he properly. On Saturday he couldn’ t get into turns well, game on, and struggled getting out of them. This meant it was Leon historically outsider Josh Brookes was also circling.G iven that transformed in fares better being the under-dog, he seemedaman forthe fight, with the final race, looking far more composed and up royal Shakey keeping watchbehind him. We were in foraright showdown, if you’ ll pardon the pun. thepoorsod Or not, becauseofcourse Leon’sbrakes failed and after falling found himself slamming intothe barrier at over100mph, something at 172 mph at Hawthorn bend. So that fateful truism, always happens to Leon, happenedyet again. Thankfullyafew butweare broken bones that should mend washis punishment, really wanted trulyguttedfor him. Shakey may be ex FB, but we to see Leon win this one. did just enough S ha key, thoroughly shaken at what he’d witnessed, winner Brookes. to seal thetitle by amerethree points over race to the Haslam, gracious as ever, even insisted on beingcarried But,neither are celebrations to congratulate Shane –whataguy! to Brookes and ourman or team of theyear; that accolade goes theAnvil Hire TAG squad. short of To finish so close, given their resources, is nothing year didthey even remarkable. It turns out that at no point during the areapparently a contact Yamaha UK for any help, not once, as they themselves. fiercely independent bunch and wanted to do everything Shakey’s lot, given True, the closest thing to a factory team in BS Bis staff in the bikes come direct from Bologna and they have Ducati the relevant attendance. Most ‘official’ teams a resupported by Yet the Anvil national importers, but are otherwise private affairs. work well –if guys are true privateers, showing thatthe BSB rules you canget the right rider aboard. six, heartfelt So,huge congratulations to Shakey on titlenumber outfit, commiserations to Leon Has lam and the JG Speed fit Kawasaki the Anvil squad. and an enormous ‘bloodywell done!’ to Joshand Roll on 2018!