Josh Brookes reflects on Brands Hatch BSB weekend

Images by Jon Jessop

We had a four-day event for round two at the Brands Hatch Indy Circuit, with an extra practice day added on Friday as the races were scheduled for the public holiday Monday.

Even with the extra time we were playing catch up all weekend. Every session we improved, however, the whole grid was equally improving.

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Starting off with the bike just as it was after the podium finish at Donington wasn’t suiting the requirements of Brands Indy. I had the added bonus of Stewart Winton in my box at Brands, he had a weekend off from his World Supersport duties with Aiden Wagner so came to see how I was getting on at BSB.

Josh Brookes in the pit garage with Stewart Winton

At first I was focussed on the front end, thus starting with the biggest problem first. We made quite a few changes with fork springs, oil levels and fine tuned with compression and rebound.

By qualifying I was getting very confident with the front end and was able to do a new PB for the circuit with a 45.1, my previous marker in 2015 was 45.4, but this was still only enough to start 8th on the grid.

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, Datatag Qualifying

James Ellison (McAMS Yamaha) 44.728s
Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.203s
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +0.205s
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +0.302s
John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +0.316s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +0.392s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.454s
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +0.656s
Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +0.755s

Josh Brookes on the grid at Brands Hatch with partner Aimie

Race one was a big realisation that the rear of the bike was now the focus area. I lost a few places on lap one but I was making good advances on corner entry and had great confidence for front end grip compared with the guys I was racing with, but it became very clear that I was losing metres on every exit with lack of rear grip. I pushed on all race but unable to improve on 10th place.

Josh Brookes battling at Brands Hatch as John Hopkins gives chase

MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race one result

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +3.529s
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +3.802s
Shane Byrne (Be Wiser Ducati) +3.920s
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +6.352s
Glenn Irwin (Be Wiser Ducati) +7.544s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +7.588s
Michael Laverty (McAMS Yamaha) +8.775s
Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +8.775s
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +10.853s

I explained to the team where we were losing out. They decided a change of spring coupled with altered rebound valving in the shock would be suitable for the next race. This time I was starting from P11. BSB race 2 grid is decided from lap times of race 1.

I held my place to the first turn and made a few places on lap one. I could feel an immediate improvement over race 1 so was able to push forward. I was making small progress lap by lap, setting the second best lap time of the race.

Josh Brookes ahead of Dan Linfoot at Brands Hatch

A few guys crashed out as I was coming through and was quite happy to make it to 4th. Not great results by my usual standards, but still better than some of my main championship rivals, sometimes you have to just accept it and keep the bike and body safe.

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MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race two result

Luke Mossey (JG Speedfit Kawasaki)
Christian Iddon (Tyco BMW) +0.758s
Leon Haslam (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) +1.851s
Josh Brookes (Anvil Hire TAG Yamaha) +4.032s
Jason O’Halloran (Honda Racing) +4.188s
Dan Linfoot (Honda Racing) +8.205s
Peter Hickman (Smiths Racing BMW) +8.735s
Bradley Ray (Buildbase Suzuki) +8.982s
John Hopkins (Moto Rapido Ducati) +9.234s
Sylvain Guintoli (Bennetts Suzuki) +10.249s

We now have an official BSB test day at Oulton Park this Thursday. It will be interesting to see if the setting in the bike now will be beneficial at Oulton.