Relentless Suzuki’s Josh Brookes has his sights firmly set on the British Superbike Championship title after qualifying for the Showdown in the top six at Cadwell Park yesterday.

Brookes secured his place in the ‘Top-Six Title Fighters’ Showdown with fourth place in the opening BSB Championship race and also proved he is very much a championship contender with a commanding second place in race three.

“I was a bit suspicious in the first race that we had a small tyre problem and we wisely didn’t change anything on the bike for race two,” Brookes said. “The whole GSX-R Suzuki package worked so much better and I was able to fight at the front and finish right on Tommy’s back wheel.

“Despite a few blips during the season, we always knew we were in with a chance of winning the title and we got the chance to prove that this weekend in the results. I’m really pleased how the weekend ended.”

Team manager Philip Neill is confident that Brookes is gaining strength when it counts at the tail-end of the season.

“What a weekend. I’m certainly glad that one’s over but I’m also delighted how it ended for us,” Neill said. “We made life difficult for ourselves at the start of the season and had to play catch up, but the combined package of Josh Brookes and our GSX-R Superbike is more than good enough for the job.

“He’s coming strong at the right time of the season and even though we would have liked a few more podium credits, the man who wins races in the final three rounds will undoubtedly be champion.

“Donington, Silverstone and Brands are strong circuits for Josh and we firmly believe he will be in there challenging for victories.”

Brookes now sits on 509 points in the series, 20 points in arrears of Yamaha’s Tommy Hill with three rounds to go.