Relentless Suzuki's Josh Brookes reverted back to the style that brought him second place in last year's British Superbike series in 2011, carving through the pack in race three from 21st on the grid to take sixth behind Michael Laverty and fifth in the championship.

Brookes slid off on a damp patch in the first race of the day and his laptime was only good enough for a sixth-row start. The Aussie quickly made his way up the field and went past Laverty for fifth but shot tyres meant he had to yield to the Irishman right at the close.

“In that first race I was full of confidence knowing that I was starting from pole position. We’ve had an awesome weekend as far as lap times and the pace is concerned, but like a similar pattern to the rest of the year luck just hasn’t been on our side," said Brookes.

"If that first race had just stayed wet… well I love it in the wet as much as I do in the dry. But it didn’t stay wet and it wasn’t exactly dry either and I caught one water patch in the middle of Paddock Hill bend.

“The spooky thing is I fell off running second at the first round of the year and also in the last race of the year here at Brands – both times chasing Shakey at Paddock Hill. This time I didn’t go up so high and just slid off the low side! I damaged the bike pretty bad as it usually does and the last thing the guys want to be doing at the last round is working on motorbikes, but full credit to them. The bike was mint exactly as it has been all weekend for the final race.

“I had to start from twenty-first on the grid, so I just put the hat backwards and went as hard as I could. I bridged the gap but by the time I got to the leading group I’d worked that hard my tyre was shot to pieces.

“I was able to pass Michael Laverty and thought I was going to keep going, but I was riding as hard as I could and started to lose ground in certain areas and Michael ended up getting back by me as well.

"It’s a tough way to end the season but I’ve enjoyed it all the way. Whilst we’re putting on a good show and the crowd are cheering for us, it takes all the riders to do that and I think I played my part. I certainly enjoyed racing it this year. Thanks to everyone in the team for their support and also our sponsors.”