There was a double cause for celebration for the Rapid Solicitors Racing Team at Silverstone today as not only did Shane Byrne hit the front in the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship but team mate Keith Farmer clinched the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship with a round to spare.

Shakey, looking to add to his BSB titles of 2003 and 2008, got off to the worst possible start when he crashed on Friday after just two laps of the second free practice session after rain halted his progress in the first one.

Despite a badly bruised wrist and extensive damage to the machine, Byrne bounced back to qualify in fifth position for today's opening race and despite an overshoot mid race, the Isle of Sheppey rider came home in second place to take the series lead in the second of the title-deciding Showdown rounds.

Race two saw Byrne in command for most of the race and all was looking good to take his second victory in the Showdown but a last corner move by rival Alex Lowes saw him snatch victory leaving Byrne to claim second place but in doing so, increased his advantage over Josh Brookes, who finished third, to nine points going into the finale at Brands Hatch in two weeks time.

In between the two BSB races, Ulsterman Keith Farmer was in action in the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 race and led in the early stages. However, when main rival Jason O'Halloran retired, the 'Clogher Bullet' knew a third place would be good enough to lift the title which is exactly what he did meaning he added the 1000cc crown to the 600cc championship from last year.

Stuart Easton had a torrid time and the Scotsman from Hawick retired from both races meaning he didn't add to his points tally in the BSB Riders Cup.

Paul Bird, Team Owner:

"After the problems that we had this weekend what with Shakey crashing on Friday and then missing this morning's warm up due to a misfire, to come away leading the championship is brilliant. That's a win and three second places in the Showdown for Shakey and going into the next round at his home track at Brands Hatch he is feeling very confident. Fair play to Alex Lowes, he rode absolutely fantastically and it's certainly going to be a three way battle for the title. I'm absolutely delighted for Keith Farmer as he's done a fantastic job for us this season although we didn't want to win the title through someone else's misfortune, so commiseratons to Jason O'Halloran. Unfortunately Stuart Easton had a couple of issues with the bike but we aim to put that right at Brands Hatch."

MCE British Superbike Championship Race 1 - 14 laps
1 Alex Lowes (Honda)
2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
3 Michael Laverty (Honda)
4 Josh Brookes (Suzuki)
5 James Westmoreland (Honda)
6 Tommy Bridewell (BMW)
DNF Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

MCE British Superbike Championship Race 2 - 14 laps
1 Alex Lowes (Honda)
2 Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
3 Josh Brookes (Suzuki)
4 Tommy Bridewell (BMW)
5 Michael Laverty (Honda)
6 Luca Scassa (Honda)
DNF Stuart Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)

Championship Standings (after 11 rounds)
1 Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 608pts
2 Brookes 599
3 Lowes 584
4 Hill 566
5 Laverty 559
6 Bridewell 544
11 Easton (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 111

Metzeler National Superstock 1000cc Championship (11 laps)
1 Lee Costello (Kawasaki)
2 PJ Jacobsen (Suzuki)
3 Keith Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
4 Joe Burns (Kawasaki)
5 Jonathan Railton (Kawasaki)
6 Victor Cox (Kawasaki)

Championship standings (after 12 rounds)
1 Farmer (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 182pts
2 O'Halloran 157
3 Cox 131
4 Storrar 117
5 Costello 114
6 Brogan 98

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