Brands Hatch British Superbikes: Podiums all round for HM Plant Honda

Reflecting on their final weekend for the team, HM Plant Honda riders Leon Haslam and Cal Crutchlow were satisfied with their efforts.

A fourth in race one followed by a desperately unlucky second in race two, meant Haslam secured second position in the championship.

Having lead the race two from the off, Haslam was disappointed to have fallen foul of back-markers in his bid to bow out of BSB with a win:

“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.”

Haslam could have had a podium in both races, were it not for a dislocated shoulder sustained in the first qualifying practice yesterday:

“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.”

In his final race of the series, Haslam was sorry to be leaving BSB, the fans and his HM Plant Honda team:
 
“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.”
 
His team-mate Cal Crutchlow achieved the same results today, with a second place in race one proceeded by a fourth place finish in his final race for HM Plant Honda:

“In the first race I had a bit of a go at Shakey at about mid-race distance and closed the gap but then made a few little mistakes, but kept second place.

“I was still the first Honda and four-cylinder home, which was nice.”
 
Crutchlow blamed tyre problems for his slip to fourth in the second race:
 
“In the second race I just never had the grip that I had in the first.
 
“We got a good start and I was sat behind Leon quite comfortably but as he started to up the pace and pull away I just had no answer to him and not as much grip from my rear tyre, which felt pretty worn-out straight away.

“With Tom’s retirement we finally secured third in the championship, which isn’t what I wanted at the start of the season, but I’ve shown I’m competitive and can win on a Superbike.”

Looking ahead to his move to the Yamaha World Supersport team, Crutchlow commented:
 
“I’m now off to the World Supersport championship where I want to do Britain proud.
 
“I’d like to thank HM Plant Honda, who are a great team, Honda UK and all my personal sponsors for their support.”