METZELER NATIONAL SUPERSTOCK 600 CHAMPIONSHIP

Round 11

Lee Johnston crossed the line in third place, behind race winner Jimmy Hill and Chris Northover in the opening race at Brands Hatch Indy to secure the Metzeler National Superstock 600 title.

Robbie Brown, the nearest challenger to the Trevor Pennell Transport Yamaha rider, could only manage a distant sixth place, leaving Johnston with an unassailable 50 points lead ahead of the final showdown on the short 1.2mile Indy circuit.

Lining up on pole, Jimmy Hill’s race strategy was simple - to lead from the start at his home circuit. Behind him at the end of the opening lap was Northover, who was to chase him vainly throughout while Nikki Coates, soon to have to take a ride through penalty for a jump start, was running third from Matt Bilton. Johnston was fifth ahead of Liam Lyon and Jess Trayler.

The race was soon developing into a fast moving procession with Northover tucked in behind Hill while Coates ran third on the road for five laps before taking his penalty while Johnston had picked off Bilton to be closing in.

Johnston was third on the sixth lap and making inroads on Northover while behind them Bilton was comfortable ahead of Trayler, Lyon and Brown who had moved seventh at the expense of Davy Haire.

By half distance, the formation was in place. Hill was ahead, Northover second, though not by much from Johnston while Bilton was fourth but coming under some pressure from Trayler who with four laps to go made the decisive move to grab fourth place.

Hill took his second victory of the season, powering his Emco Yamaha home a little over five seconds up on Northover with Johnston, who had done his sums, celebrating his title success as he crossed the line third.

Race Result - Round 11

1. Hill (Yamaha)
2. Northover (Yamaha)
3. Johnston (Yamaha)
4. Trayler (Kawasaki)
5. Bilton (Yamaha)

Round 12

Robbie Brown capitalised on a Jimmy Hill spill to claim his fourth win in the season’s finale at Brands Hatch.

Jimmy Hill powered away from pole, and looking comfortable with 1.5s lead, was favourite to record his second race win of the weekend. However, an unforced error at the bottom of Paddock Hill on lap 8 saw Hill lose the front and bury his Team Emco Yamaha into the deep gravel. Hill remounted in 34th, only to fall victim to an identical crash on lap 20.

Brown, Bilton and Northover were now left with three second lead to fourth placed Trayler, to fight out the final podium positions. However, newly crowned champion, Lee Johnston had other ideas. Starting slowly and circulating in 9th for the opening laps, the ‘General’ plowed his way through the field, taking Northover for third on the penultimate lap.

Robbie Brown held his 0.5s lead to claim his fourth win of the season at the flag from Matt Bilton and Lee Johnston, who nudged out Northover for third. With Luke Jones unable to start due an injury sustained in qualifying, Northover and Venter moved up into third fourth respectively in the final championship standings.

Race Result - Round 12

1. Brown (Yamaha)
2. Bilton (Yamaha)
3. Johnston (Yamaha)
4. Northover (Yamaha)
5. Trayler (Kawasaki)

Final Championship Points

1. Johnston 207
2. Brown 166
3. Northover 135
4. Venter 132
5. Jones 124