Shakey burns up the record books

SHANE BYRNE revved his way into the British Superbike record books at Thruxton after scooping up a win double.

Shakey's 43rd and 44th career victories pushed him one ahead of the benchmark set by triple champion Ryuichi Kiyonari, who endured a torrid afternoon in the slippery conditions in rainswept Andover.
It took nerves of steel from the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider to pinch Race 1 from title rival Josh Brookes, muscling past the Tyco Suzuki man on the final lap despite some grumbling from his bike.
Byrne said: “I had a bit of problem with the brake and the bike started to vibrate. I was a bit nervous and getting out of shape.
"But I got Josh back at the chicane and I then thought there is no way you are going to come past me again.”
Samsung Honda's Alex Lowes finished third in the opening bout on what was to prove to be another successful outing with his new team.
Race 2 saw the Safety Car make a couple of appearances after Kiyonari made an unscheduled exit in the opening lap and again when Lee Costello lost his ride in the wet.
Byrne was having a monumental scrap to keep the lead ahead of a busy Lowes when the race was stopped after a clash at the chicane between Karl Harris and Tommy Bridewell.
The 2012 champion was declared a delighted winner to carve his own slice of history. Shakey said: “Winning that second race was very important to me as I wanted to become the most successful rider in the championship, but there was nothing easy about it.
“Alex was pushing me all of the way, but even though the race was red-flagged early I have done the double and that makes me a happy man.”
Young title challenger Lowes followed up his two second-place finishes from the opening weekend at Brands Hatch with another podium double here, clinching third and second places from the day's battles.
He said: "I’ve taken four podium finishes so far and although it wasn’t a win it’s been consistent.
"I pushed until the end of the first race but I was disappointed to be at the back of the three of us.
"It was hard work. The front of the bike was sliding, the rear was sliding, but it was great fun."
James Ellison, a winner on the opening day, was happy to be placed third in Race 2, adding to a sixth-place finish in Race 1 gained from a fifth-row start.
Ellison said: "It's good to be on the podium again and I am happy to have ended this weekend with a result.
"It is a tough circuit, especially with no traction control, so it is all down to the throttle.
"After the issues we had at the start of the weekend, I need to thank the Milwaukee Yamaha team for working hard to fix the problem.
"It felt good to be able to pull the pin today."
After the first two meetings of the season, Byrne leads the championshp standings with 91 points, 15 ahead of Lowes in second.