The Honda Fireblade continues to display its proven heritage in race championships around the world, winning this year’s British Superbike Championship in the hands of Alex Lowes. It was the fourth British title for the Samsung Honda team, the culmination of a thrilling final race at Brands Hatch to defeat Shane Byrne in the title fight.
The final triple-header round at the Kent circuit was held in changeable conditions, providing drama throughout the weekend that kept fans on the edge of their seats with the championship being decided on the final lap of the final race. Lowes stamped his authority on the weekend’s racing from the get go, a second place in the first race on Saturday showing that he meant business. An unfortunate crash in the second race on Sunday did nothing to deter him and title rival Byrne also took a tumble which kept Lowes with a three-point advantage
With Josh Brookes streaking away at the front in the final race, it was between Lowes and Byrne to scrap for second place, the valuable points meaning the one who finished in front would also claim the championship title. In the end it came down to the last lap and it was 23 year old Lowes aboard the Samsung Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade that came out on top after Byrne pushed too hard and made a small mistake whilst chasing, leaving Lowes to claim his first – and the team’s fourth BSB crown.
Speaking after the race Lowes said:
“I’m pretty happy. It was an unbelievable last race, really difficult, and I just didn’t know how fast to push. I saw on my pit signals that Shane was closing on me and round here that is the last thing you wanted to see. It was a case of keeping focussed and when Shane had got past me I knew that I had to pass him if I wanted the title so I pushed on real hard. I had a few moments but luckily kept it all together and beat him to take the title. To me that really is incredible, because it’s always difficult with the weather playing such a big part. Saturday’s race was hard – it was difficult to know where the grip was so it was a case of keeping calm and then pushing hard. It felt pretty good but it was quite slippery. In Sunday’s first race Josh Brookes touched my bar and I went down – it was not my fault and I can’t be angry about something that is out of my control. It was one of those things, unfortunate.”
The Honda CBR1000R Fireblade which Alex Lowes campaigned to victory in this year’s British Superbike Championship started life as the same motorcycle that is available to buy in Honda showrooms up and down the country
You can visit Honda.co.uk to view the 2013 CBR1000RR Fireblade and get a glimpse of the basis for one of the most successful racing machines in recent times.
2013 British Superbike Championship final standings
1) Alex Lowes (HONDA) 643
2) Shane Byrne 636
3) Josh Brookes 621
4) James Ellison 589
5) James Westmoreland 564
6) Ryuichi Kiyonari 522
Source: Honda Newsroom
