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[Chuffster]

Yesterday, was the last round of BSB for the 2006 season from Brands Hatch. It was massively attended, despite the inclementness of the weather. We took camp with a few friends between Druids and graham Hill bend to watch the racing.

The weather couldn't make its mind up, showers and bright sunshine seemed to be the order of the morning. The first race suffered a downpour and was curtailed at 10 laps.

The first BSB race was underway in dry conditions, but, we had a shower and the riders called it. In they came to chose what tyres to go out on. Most seemed to go for Cut Slicks, soon after they had come off for the shower the sun shone through again. The race got going, Lavilla was already out after snapping off his brake lever in a collision with Karl Harris on the first lap of the first start. The race developed into a head to head between Leon haslam and Kiyo. Haslam took the lead which was met with a huge cheer from the fans. Kiyo took it back though. I didn't like the sound of Leons bike when it came past, it seemed to be going ok. I wonder if he had a crack in the exhaust, thats what it sounded like. The race developed with Haslam hounding the back of Kiyo. I am sure he would have gone past, but, a huge accident by Shakey Byrne brought out the Red Flags and that was that, Kiyo had won with Haslam second.

The rain came down, infact hailstones the size of cherries fell from the sky. We had thunder and lightning to boot. Not racing conditions at all, there was lots of standing water on the track and it was way too dangerous to continue with the schedule of events. When we finally got the second BSB race underway, it was full on wet tyres for everyone all round.

Kiyo went straight into the lead. He had to finish third or better to take the title. Leon was in second and Karl Harris 3rd. About lap four Kiyo made a mistake at Graham Hill bend and Haslam dived underneath to take the lead. Kiyo was now running second with his team mate third. All Kiyo basically had to do was to stay on the bike. The other Ducati of lavilla had gearbox problems at the start of the race and was out of contention. How his team and Leon must have been gutted that it wasn't out there to help the situation. The race then became quite processional, Haslam eeked out the lead and crossed the line first. Kiyo came home second, some 8 seconds behind. Karl Harris had been riding shotgun for most of the race but eventually sucunbed to Johny Rea. Again racing was curtailed due to a massive crash by Tommy Hill exiting Graham Hill bend.

And that was that, Kiyo had stayed on and finished second, that was enough to crown him the BSB champ for the season.

It was then time to leave, it took eons to get out of Brands, there was no organisation whatsoever, a complete disgrace really considering the number of attendees. Surely the organisers would have realised how many would turn up for this event. Next time, i think I am going to try and get helicoptered in and out!