Race Results

Race 1 - Tom Sykes handed Shane Byrne the 2008 British Superbike Championship on a plate at the start of the opening 20-lap race at Silverstone...but see Race 2 below!

Byrne made a tentative start to proceedings circulating in 8th, knowing that just a handful of points would make it
mathematically impossible for Haslam to catch the Airwaves Ducati rider.

Haslam headed the field, knowing that only a win and 25 points would stand him any chance of snatching the title from Byrne’s grasp.  However, Tom Sykes made a
late lunge into the Woodcote Chicane at the close of lap 3, clipping the curb and collecting Haslam’s HM Plant Honda in the process.

The two riders remounted at the rear of the field, with Haslam eventually crossing the line in 12th.  However, the
damage had been done and Shane Byrne took his time to celebrate his second British Superbike Championship in
consummate style, finishing the race in third behind teammate Leon Camier and HM Plant Honda’s Cal Crutchlow.

Shane Byrne, 2008 British Superbike Champion: "It’s fantastic to be up here on the podium this season.  A massive thanks to the whole Airwaves Ducati squad for their hard work throughout the season and especially this weekend.  Words just cannot describe what I am feeling right now.  I think this title may mean more to me than the first one did if that is possible.

I really should have wrapped up the title at Croft, but it didn’t work out.  I am really pleased that I have been able to reward the Airwaves Ducati team with this Championship win and I couldn't have possibly asked for anything more this season.  I would like to dedicate this championship to my dad who sadly died before the start of this season.  I hope he is smiling down on me now."

Race 2 - After an investigation by race control, Tom Sykes was removed from the results of the opening Superbike race and pushed back 12 starting places for race 2.

Leon Haslam made amends for the clash that could have cost him any chance of the title in the opening race by
claiming an emphatic victory in race 2 at Silverstone.  The HM Plant Honda rider took the holeshot with Rob Mac
Racing’s Karl Harris hot on his heels. 

Crutchlow moved to second the following lap with swift pass at Bridge before an unforced error sent the Coventry-based rider back to 14th, losing 8 seconds. Harris moved back into second position, but could not hold off the advances of Byrne, Sykes and Camier throughout the remaining laps.

Pulling a celebratory wheelie at the checkered flag, Leon Haslam recorded his fifth race win of the season, cementing his second place in the championship as the series heads for the final round at Brands Hatch Indy in two weeks time (10-12 October).

Leon Haslam, Winner Race 2: “I felt really confident in the first race, so was a little disappointed as I wanted the
double today.  I just went for it from the lights in the second , kept my head down for a few laps then checked my board.  I kept a consistent pace to maintain my lead at the front.  My tire started to go at the end but I just kept pushing through.

I’m really pleased to get on the top step again for HM Plant Honda, who have worked so hard all year.  I’ve got a bit of a lead over Sykes going into Brands so will be looking for a couple more podiums to keep hold of that second place.”

Shane Byrne

Race 1 Result - 1. Camier (Ducati), 2. Crutchlow (Honda), 3.Byrne (Ducati), 4. Rutter (Ducati), 5. Andrews (Yamaha), 6. Mason (Honda), 7.O’Halloran (Honda), 8. Palmer (Honda), 9. Easton (Kawasaki), 10. Watanabe (Suzuki)

Race 2 Result - 1. Haslam (Honda), 2. Byrne (Ducati), 3. Sykes (Suzuki), 4. Camier (Ducati), 5. Harris (Yamaha), 6. Ellison (Honda), 7. Rutter (Ducati), 8. Andrews (Yamaha), 9. McConnell (Kawasaki), 10. O’Halloran (Honda)

Championship Standings
1. Byrne – 424, 2. Haslam – 324, 3. Sykes – 306, 4. Crutchlow – 285, 5. Camier – 279, 6. Rutter – 237, 7. Ellison – 203, 8. Andrews – 159, 9. M.Laverty – 140, 10. Harris – 102.