BSB: Haslam: 'We need to take it race by race'

Bennetts British Superbike series leader Leon Haslam says he wants to build up enough of a lead to secure this year’s title before the final round at Brands Hatch.

Brands Grand Prix circuit is the only circuit on the calendar Haslam hasn’t won at since his return to BSB with Kawasaki, and two third places back in July show he just didn’t have the same pace as his rivals at the iconic venue.

Currently leading the championship by 45 points over Jake Dixon as the Showdown kicks off at Oulton Park this weekend, Haslam says he’s keen to build as much of a lead as he can over two of his favourite and strongest circuits.

“We need to take Oulton and Assen race by race but if we can keep getting on the podium and winning races we can go into Brands with a good margin,” he told MCN. “We’re heading into two of my favourite circuits and if I can wrap the championship up before Brands then I’ll be going all out.

“I need a 75-point lead to win at the end of Assen, so that means I have four races to try and find 30 points on the boys. Even if I don’t, if I can build up a strong enough gap to take the pressure off at a circuit which hasn’t been kind to us in the past then we will stand quite strong for the championship, but that’s all if buts and maybes. We could very easily not finish a race and lose pretty much half my deficit in one go so we have to take it race by race.”