Tyco Suzuki’s Josh Brookes heads to Japan today [Monday], to prepare for the Suzuki 8-Hour at the end of the month with the Yoshimura Suzuki team. This all comes, following two more solid podium finishes during round five of the British Superbike Championship yesterday at Snetterton.

The Australian took his Tyco Suzuki GSX-R1000 Superbike to second and third places at the Norfolk venue and now holds thirds place with 172 points in the championship standings behind Shane Byrne [207] and Alex Lowes [175]. More importantly he is only ten ‘podium credits’ behind series leader Byrne as the Showdown over the final seven races of the season get’s ever closer.

His team-mate PJ Jacobsen had an encouraging yet paradoxically, disappointing weekend after showing so much promise in race one, before crashing out of sixth place. Prior to race two his crew were left to fight against the clock preparing his GSX-R1000 Superbike, which he eventually finished eleventh aboard.

Josh Brookes:

“I did feel I was able to have a go at the wins in both races, but the Safety Car coming out seems to upset my rhythm at times and in the second race I made a bit of a mistake when the win was possibly within my grasp. I’m now looking forward to testing at Suzuka this week before the 8-Hour at the end of the month, but as soon as I get back my focus will be back to Brands Hatch – where we need to get as many podium credits as possible and close the gap on Shakey and Alex.”


PJ Jacobsen:

“I’m really disappointed how the weekend went for me after such a big effort from the whole team. After struggling a little in practice and qualifying the guys worked hard to give me a setting and advice to run inside the top ten, which I was doing. Unfortunately I made a mistake with just one lap to go when seventh place was safe for me. It gave the guys lots of work to do before the second race and I didn’t feel just so comfortable and I finished eleventh. I’m just looking forward to moving onto Brands Hatch now.”

Taylor Mackenzie equalled his best finish in Sunday’s British Supersport encounter taking a strong sixth place on his GSX-R600 Suzuki. He made a blistering start, holding his own throughout, and was applauded by the whole team in pit-lane at the conclusion of the race. He now holds ninth place in the championship standings.

Taylor Mackenzie:

“I’m really happy with how the weekend panned out. We got plenty of laps during the practice and qualifying sessions, which helped us find a good setting on my GSX-R600. Starting on the third row in P10 filled me with confidence in the second race and I knew my lap times on used tyres would be quite strong. I got a great start and was up to fourth, so when the race settled down I just got into a decent rhythm and kept it going to finish sixth. It’s a great result for me and the team and we can now keep building and look for more strong results.”

Philip Neill – Team Manager:

“It was a tough weekend for everyone with the unusually high track temperatures, however I feel our boys did as good a job as anyone finding a decent set-up with both our Superbikes and Taylor’s GSX-R600 Supersport bike. In race one Lowes just had that little bit extra over the 16 laps, however in race two it really did look as if Josh had something extra. I think we can safely say we were looking at a realistic race win, but unfortunately Josh made a little mistake, but these things can happen when you are pushing hard in the last six laps of a BSB race.
PJ had a difficult weekend and really should have recorded a highly creditable sixth or seventh place in race one, before losing the front chasing Westmoreland entering the final lap. Again these things happen in racing, but he is doing a good job in his rookie season. It’s a very steep learning curve for him but he has the talent to succeed and that’s the part you cannot teach.

Congratulations to Taylor on a solid weekend, which included equalling his best finish in a British Supersport race with sixth place. Our goal with him this season was for consistency and so far he is bang on target and is doing a great job on the GSX-R600.”



British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race one result:

1. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda)
2. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +1.984s
3. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) +2.027s
4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +2.523s
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +6.009s
6. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +20.065s
7. Robbin Harms (Doodson Motorsport Honda) +20.349s
8. Jakub Smrz (Padgetts Honda) +20.654s
9. Josh Waters (Milwaukee Yamaha) +20.926s
10. Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +21.081s

British Superbike Championship, Snetterton, race two result:

1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki)
2. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) +0.245s
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) +7.018s
4. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) +7.868s
5. James Westmoreland (Buildbase BMW) +8.587s
6. Chris Walker (Quattro Plant Bournemouth Kawasaki) +12.961s
7. Josh Waters (Milwaukee Yamaha) +18.218s
8. Dan Linfoot (Lloyds British GBmoto Honda) +21.370s
9. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) +21.483s
10. Matteo Baiocco (Rapido Sport Racing Ducati) +22.775s

British Superbike Championship standings after Snetterton:

1. Shane Byrne (Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki) 207
2. Alex Lowes (Samsung Honda) 175
3. Josh Brookes (Tyco Suzuki) 172
4. James Ellison (Milwaukee Yamaha) 160
5. Ryuichi Kiyonari (Samsung Honda) 83
6. Jon Kirkham (Buildbase BMW) 81

British Supersport Championship, Snetterton, Feature race result:

1. Alastair Seeley (Gearlink Kawasaki)
2. Ben Wilson (Gearlink Kawasaki) +3.735s
3. Billy McConnell (Smiths Racing Triumph) +6.320s
4. Graeme Gowland (Seton Tuning Yamaha) +7.055s
5. Luke Mossey (Techcare Profile Triumph) +10.385s
6. Taylor Mackenzie [Tyco Suzuki] +18.634s

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