Parkes second in British superbike cameo

Australian Broc Parkes (Kawasaki) made the most of his guest appearance ride in round eight of the 2009 British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch last weekend by recording a hat trick of runner-up finishes.

Using the event as extra track time in the mid-summer break of the world superbike title, Parkes headed the field in the early stages in all three outings before gradually being overhauled by championship leader Leon Camier (Yamaha).

"I was not sure what pace to expect coming into the BSB this weekend as there are a number of top teams and riders this year and the performance at Brno was on an entirely different type of circuit to Brands,” said Parkes.

“However the improvements made recently are really starting to show returns and the bike was the best it has been all year. I was able to battle with the factory Yamaha for the first time and really pushed them all weekend.

“It was a great result for the team and for Paul Bird to return to BSB and secure three podiums will hopefully address some of the disappointment we all had from Donington."

Meanwhile, Camier has broken Niall Mackenzie's record from 1997 for the most wins in a season – and there are still three rounds to go.

"I really don't know what to make of it all, it is just such a dream come true for me and to have it all in one day is just so amazing,” said Camier.

“Fourteen wins this season for me is just so much to take in. I need to thank everyone who has supported me throughout my career, to get me where I am today. I now just have my fingers crossed that we get no bad luck and we can go on and finish the job, which is to win the title."

After such a sustained period of excellence, Camier is a runaway leader on 374.5pts, from teammate James Ellison (262pts), Stuart Easton (Honda, 218pts), Karl Harris (Honda, 111.5pts) and Australian Glen Richards (Honda, 103pts), who is currently out of action wit a broken leg.

Richards’ Aussie teammate, Josh Brookes, is currently suspended after a misdemeanour in the last round, and his place was taken at Brands Hatch by another Aussie, former world superbike rider Karl Muggeridge.

“Muggas” went 4-7-6 across the three races. David Johnson (Yamaha) was 19th in race one, but that was as good as it got before the rot set in.

In supersport, South Australian Billy McConnell (Yamaha) was a close second, with Paul Young (Triumph) 11th.

Click on the following link for full results and current standings in the 2009 British Superbike Championship.