Injured HM Plant Honda rider Leon Haslam is leaving the British Superbike Championship on a high note after claiming second in the series at Brands Hatch yesterday.

The 25-year-old, who will join the Stiggy Honda World Superbike team in 2009, separated his shoulder in a qualifying crash on Saturday afternoon and had to ride with this arm strapped up in the two final races.

“In the first race I couldn’t be as aggressive as I wanted to thanks to the injury, but between the two races the physiotherapist worked on the collar-bone and after the start the adrenalin kicked in," said Haslam.

"When Shakey caught up in race two, I tried to be as smooth as possible. I held Shane off into Paddock Hill Bend, but as we went into Clearways for the last time, I could see the backmarker and I backed off a little, but Shakey didn’t. I then went a bit wide onto the grass and that was the end of it. Of course I’m disappointed with not winning a race today, but we secured second in the championship.

"Once more the fans were fantastic for me today and I hope to be out there battling for wins in the World Superbike Championship next season. It’s sad to say goodbye to the fans after being runner-up in the series twice and third once, but the World scene is where my heart is. Thanks also to the HM Plant Honda team and all my sponsors for their support and hard-work in 2008.”