Relentless Suzuki's Josh Brookes has been disqualified from today's British Superbike opening race at Cadwell Park after a collision with Michael Rutter resulted in the Rapid Ducati man crashing at Hall Bends.
Brookes had been looking for a way past the veteran and had showed him a wheel a couple of times. Eventually, Brookes used his speed over The Mountain to try and pass Rutter but they touched in the braking area and the Ducati man suffered damaged ribs in the fall.
“You’ve got to go for every point you can at this stage of the championship – I had been up his exhaust pipes for four or five laps and had to make the move at Hall Bends," said Brookes.
“I showed him the front wheel and had not intention of taking him down but he kept on the power. I wanted to make the pass but he went down - I expect that people will be saying bad boy Brookes is back. I think it was a bit harsh to be honest."
Brookes' exlcusion means Shane Byrne is promoted to the podium and receives an additional credit. Brookes isd now level with 2010 team-mate Ryuichi Kiyonari on points while Rutter, Gary Mason and Jon Kirkham have moved closer.
The judicial decision reads:
The Judicial Clerk of the Course in the presence of the Riders' Judicial/Stewards Advisor considered the incident during the Superbike race between Josh Brookes (#2) and Michael Rutter (#6) at Hall Bends.
Evidence was reviewed including television footage, marshals reports and an explanation from the rider.
A penalty of exclusion from the race result has been inflicted on #2 Josh Brookes for causing avoidable and unfair contact which resulted in an accident.
The right of appeal was advised.
No appeal was received - the decision is confirmed.
Confirmed race result:
1 7 Michael LAVERTY GBR Yamaha - Swan Yamaha 11 16:13.225 88.70 1:27.678 4
2 33 Tommy HILL GBR Yamaha - Swan Yamaha 11 16:13.439 0.214 0.214 88.68 1:27.670 4
3 67 Shane BYRNE GBR Honda - HM Plant Honda 10 14:52.088 1 lap 1 lap 87.97 1:27.744 10
4 10 Jon KIRKHAM GBR Suzuki - Samsung Crescent Racing 10 14:55.160 1 lap 3.072 87.67 1:28.306 7
51 Ryuichi KIYONARI JPN Honda - HM Plant Honda 10 14:55.957 1 lap 0.797 87.59 1:28.381 3
6 101 Gary MASON GBR Kawasaki - MSS Colchester Kawasaki 10 14:57.986 1 lap 2.029 87.39 1:28.571 3
7 40 Martin JESSOPP GBR Ducati - Rapid Solicitors Bathams Ducati 10 14:58.589 1 lap 0.603 87.33 1:28.642 4
8 60 Peter HICKMAN GBR Honda - Tyco Honda 10 14:59.223 1 lap 0.634 87.27 1:28.221 5
9 45 E Glen RICHARDS AUS Honda - Team WFR 10 15:00.307 1 lap 1.084 87.17 1:29.085 2
10 9 Chris WALKER GBR Kawasaki - Pr1mo Racing 10 15:00.999 1 lap 0.692 87.10 1:28.530 3
11 81 E Graeme GOWLAND GBR Honda - Team WFR 10 15:01.087 1 lap 0.088 87.09 1:28.716 4
12 22 Alex LOWES GBR Kawasaki - MSS Colchester Kawasaki 10 15:02.336 1 lap 1.249 86.97 1:28.823 7
13 16 James ELLISON GBR Honda - Team SorryMate.com 10 15:03.928 1 lap 1.592 86.82 1:29.152 5
14 88 E Scott SMART GBR Ducati - Moto Rapido Ducati 10 15:05.380 1 lap 1.452 86.68 1:29.364 7
15 100 E Karl HARRIS GBR Aprilia - Splitlath Motorsport 10 15:13.965 1 lap 8.585 85.86 1:30.241 2
16 77 E Barry BURRELL GBR BMW - Buildbase BMW Motorrad 10 15:14.866 1 lap 0.901 85.78 1:30.298 8
17 37 E James HILLIER GBR Kawasaki - Bournemouth Kawasaki Racing 10 15:22.064 1 lap 7.198 85.11 1:30.567 5
18 24 E Patric MUFF SUI Honda - Tyco Honda 10 15:22.172 1 lap 0.108 85.10 1:30.851 5
19 56 E Hudson KENNAUGH RSA Kawasaki - Buy-Force.com PR Racing Kawasaki 10 15:28.860 1 lap 6.688 84.49 1:31.182 3
20 64 E Aaron ZANOTTI GBR BMW - Quattro Plant Spike Racing 10 15:50.042 1 lap 21.182 82.60 1:32.206 3
21 78 E Matteo MOSSA ITA Suzuki - 777RR Motorsport 9 14:28.742 2 laps 1 lap 81.30 1:34.475 2
NOT CLASSIFIED
DNF 6 Michael RUTTER GBR Ducati - Rapid Solicitors Bathams Ducati 5 7:29.781 6 laps 4 laps 87.24 1:28.755 2
DQ2 Josh BROOKES AUS Suzuki - Relentless Suzuki by TAS 10 14:51.674 1 lap 88.01 1:27.827 10
