Tommy Hill has claimed nine successive podium finishes

The British Superbike Championship (BSB) season reaches its finale at Brands Hatch this weekend with Kent’s Tommy Hill promising to go all out to win the title.

While five men are theroretically in with a chance of finishing on top, the title is likely to come down to a showdown between leader John Hopkins and Beckenham-born Tommy Hill.

The American holds a slender eight point lead over his rival heading into the final three races, which are split into one on Saturday and two on Sunday.

It is the second year in a row Hill, who rides for Swan Yamaha, has come into the final round in contention. At Oulton Park 12 months ago he held an 11-point lead, but a retirement after two crashes in the second race proved costly as he finished the season in third.

The 26-year-old has won seven races in an impressively consistent year and will keep faith with his attacking approach this weekend in search of a first BSB title.

He said: “I don’t really know what I learned from last season; this is racing. You push hard to win and we’re all susceptible to making mistakes. I went down fighting and giving my all. I think the fans really appreciated that and I’ll have the same approach again.

“A lot of people said the pressure got to me last year but I’d disagree because I set a new lap record. I try not to think about it and go out to enjoy the experience because that’s when you’re fastest.”

Sheppey’s Shane Byrne is one of three men still in mathematical contention for the title. The 34-year-old has a good record at Brands but knows a miracle is needed to be crowned champion.

He said: “Nothing short of three race wins will be enough and myself and the HM Plant Honda team will be doing everything we can to achieve that. If we do win the races and something incredible happens we could be champions again.”

Photo by NICK DUNGAN