Source: Smiths Triumph.

Experienced South Australian Billy McConnell is celebrating his maiden British Supersport Championship title after inching to the victory at Brands Hatch’s season finale.

After one of the most dramatic weekends of the year, the Smiths Triumph Racing Team wrapped up their second championship win in three years when McConnell secured the title.

The Aussie, from Adelaide, brought the factory-backed Triumph Daytona 675R home in eighth place to secure sufficient points ahead of Yamaha rival Alastair Seeley.

It wasn’t straight forward as the Smiths duo suffered mixed fortunes all weekend, none more so than in Saturday’s qualifying session with McConnell way back on the eighth row after falling early on.

McConnell rode heroically into ninth during race one, which meant he retained his title lead and only lost three points to his teammate Gowland. However, with Seeley finishing in second, there was now just 21 points splitting the leading trio going into the final race.

McConnell had to ensure he finished no lower than 11th and, keeping a close eye on his pit board, he did all he needed to do and crossed the line in eighth place to finally get his hands on the number one plate.

“It’s been a stressful last couple of rounds, but to finally win the British championship is brilliant and I was crying my eyes out on that final lap!” McConnell said. “I’ve come so close in recent years and it’s probably why my results haven’t been the greatest in the final races as I wanted it so bad.

“With Graeme [Gowland] going out early it took the pressure off my shoulders, but it was probably one of the longest races of my life and I just brought the bike home. I’ve got a fantastic team behind me and we’ve been consistent over the 12 rounds whilst I’ve had a fantastic teammate pushing me all year so I feel for Graeme.

“It’s a shame he went out early and that little bit of extra luck that you need was on my side this weekend. I’ve been in the top three for the last five years so to win at last is amazing and very emotional.”