BSB: Brands Hatch GP Preview: You just can’t call it…

Brands Hatch is fast approaching and so is the Showdown. Things are starting to get very serious in British Superbikes but we are still struggling to establish a consistent running order of riders. I won’t be modest but I have said this will happen, how really, only at rounds five and six would we start to see the same riders battling at the sharp end. With Brands Hatch next, expect fireworks, expect brave rides and some big movers and shakers. Expect to see this title race come even more alive.

Leon Haslam is your series leader but don’t be put off by the enormous lead he is sporting at the top of the championship tree. The more important gap that needs looking at is the podium points gap, which is currently at a difference of 20. When that starts heading north of 25 points is when we start witnessing one hand starting to move towards the championship. Leon hasn’t won at Brands Hatch on the GP course since 2006 and the Airwaves Ducati days, whereas Kawasaki haven’t won at the layout since James Ellison at the end of 2016. Haslam will be returning to the scene where he lost the championship last year and will be more than certain to make a point to his doubters.

Jake Dixon is having a sensational season. He hasn’t been off the podium since round two and is in fine form, having taken his first win of the season at his beloved Knockhill circuit in Scotland. Last year’s Showdown rider quietly went about his business at the start of the season but my goodness do we know he is there now. The Lee Hardy Racing Kawasaki team shouldn’t go unnoticed either, as they give Jake the best bike possible. Will the Dover ace crack another top three, could he be on for his second win of the season at Brands? He is popular and if he was to do that, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him at all.

Bradley Ray’s season seems to have taken a turn down the wrong path but the Kid from Lydd was more than back to his best in race two at Knockhill – that was until a stone went through his radiator. Back at Brands Hatch, Brad looked like a race winner until two laps from the end last time out on the Indy circuit. The Hawk Suzuki team haven’t had a podium since the same race and Brad will be itching for some good luck to go his way. Eager to put on a good display in front of his home crowd, Ray will be looking to mount the podium again. Do not discount him yet.

Glenn Irwin has been something of a revelation this year. Yes, we knew he was capable of running at the front but I must admit, he has taken to the ‘number one’ role within the PBM Ducati team like the proverbial duck to water. Every race that Glenn has finished has been in the top ten and two of them have been 2nd-places. The 2017 and 2018 North West 200 sensation may well be in with a shout of some more podium points this weekend coming, as he looks to consolidate his position within the top six. Just nine more races are left in the season before the top six are decided so they will be crucial for the PBM Ducati rider to get the wins and the momentum going into the final three rounds of the season.

Danny Buchan lies 6th in the championship, with Shakey Byrne – who is out of action – the rider directly above him. The reigning National Superstock 1000 champion has set the BSB world alight and has proved his doubters wrong. And the great thing about what Danny is doing is that he is doing it with a team that had a turbulent time of things in 2017. Buchan’s points from the first five rounds have already surpassed FS-3’s Superbike points from 2016 and 2017 put together. They are doing a grand job and for a team that didn’t set their sights on the Showdown this year, it is great to see. Who knows what may happen next. The Basildon Bullet loves Brands Hatch – dare we dream to see a Buchan win?

Josh Brookes just needs 18 points to overcome Shane Byrne in the championship standings and take the final Showdown place – we presume that Shakey will not be back in time and that eventually, someone will take his place inside the top six. Brookes went very well at Brands Hatch last year, looking on course for a pair of 2nd-places before crashing out at Surtees in race two. It may have been a difficult start to the season for the charismatic Australian but you’d be a mug to discount him now. A strong showing at Brands Hatch and he will be in the Showdown. He hasn’t won on the GP circuit on seven occasions by luck…

There’s a raft of other riders that will be looking to make their mark on the Showdown too. The Tyco BMW pairing of Christian Iddon and Michael Laverty are inseparable at the moment, whilst both Honda UK machines will be looking to be bagging consistent points. Peter Hickman could do with a couple of podiums to get his Showdown challenge back on track, whereas James Ellison always runs well at the Brands Hatch GP round, so expect him to climb the BSB standings.