Hair-raising stuff from Brookes
JOSH BROOKES powered to a British Championship double at Brands Hatch yesterday and then said he would keep his promise of removing his controversial moustache.
The Australian took two lights-to-flag victories at the Kent track aboard his McAMS Yamaha as Be Wiser Ducati’s Glenn Irwin took two second places and championship leader Leon Haslam two thirds. Brookes, who has come in for some flak for his extravagant facial hair, said he would stand by his word to remove it.
“I said if I did the double I’d get rid of the moustache and if my girlfriend Amy gets her way it’ll be gone tonight,” he said. Starting race one from second on the grid, he hit the front immediately and held off Irwin.
Irwin made a charge on the last lap but could not find a way through as Haslam moved up to third on the penultimate lap when Taz Mackenzie crashed.
Brookes capitalised on pole position to lead from the start in race two. Again Irwin sat behind him and tried in vain to make his move on the final lap. JG Speedfit Kawasaki’s Haslam started from third and held his position unchallenged.
Brookes admitted he had a close shave of a different kind.
He said: “I came into the last corner and ran wide because I was pushing the front tyre so much it was starting to slide.
“It probably wasn’t visible but I could feel it. Glenn was coming but thankfully didn’t make it. I’m relieved. It has been a fairy-tale weekend.”