Brookes cops ban after BSB sighting lap crash

Josh Brookes' introduction into full-time British racing continues to tread a bumpy path, with the Australian found to be the cause of a sighting lap crash at Donington last weekend which resulted in Suzuki star Sylvain Guintoli breaking his leg.

A collision occurred between the duo at the approach to the Melbourne Hairpin. After evaluation of on-board data, the judicial panel declared there was no evidence of mechanical failure, after Brookes had earlier said he felt the brakes were not working properly.

Accordingly, a ban of one race was applied to Josh Brookes, suspended for three British Superbike Championship meetings. The decision was not appealed by his Honda team.

The incident was another body blow for Brookes, who was forced to miss the opening round after an entirely no-racing related issue - visa problems.

With the the opener a write-off, Brookes was then a DNF from race two at Donington, alongside fellow Australians Jason O'Halloran (Honda) and David Johnson (Yamaha), who tangled and crahsed in the early stages.

O'Halloran was fifth in race one, but the best performing Aussie was again Brookes' teammate Glen Richards, who was fourth and fifth in the two 20-lappers, won by Yamaha pairing Leon Camier and James Ellison respectively.

After five rounds, Camier now had a nice 38pt (117 to 89) buffer over Ellison, followed by Honda's Stuart Easton (78), Guintoli (77) and Richards (76). Nine rounds still remain.

In supersport, Australia's Billy McConnell (Yamaha) was third behind Steve Plater (Honda) and Dan Linfoot (Yamaha), while Paul Young (Triumph) was disqualified.

For full results and standings, click here.