Josh Brookes took three podium placed finishes at the British Superbike Oulton Park triple header this weekend, keeping himself well and truly in the hunt for the title come the Showdown.

Brookes took second in Saturday’s race. After running strongly at the front, he was forced on to the grass and lost some time, but he managed to regroup and still battle for that second podium spot.

On Sunday, Brookes took a second and a third, which gives him valuable points and valuable podium credits.

The Australian battled to third in the final race with a broken screen and dented tank, as he miraculously saved what appeared to be a certain highside.

He said, “When Michael Laverty went down in race one I was unsighted, so when Shakey lifted to avoid him I got bumped onto the grass.

“That let Tommy get away at the front but I worked my way back onto Shakey’s back wheel, but the only place I felt strong enough to make the pass was the final corner at Lodge. Fortunately all went to plan.

“I got quicker as the weekend went on. I was never out of the top three and better than the last time we were at Oulton.

“In that last race I tried everything I knew to stay with Tommy as I knew if he got away there would be no pulling him back, but I came out of the chicane and high-sided. I had my hands off the bars and feet flapping and I literally fell back onto the bike.

“I just worked my way back up through the pack then. I gave it everything to stay with Haga and Shakey after that.

“I think Nori possibly went to sleep a little on the last lap, maybe settling for third, but he didn’t cover the line into Lodge and I was able to get in and take my third podium.”

Alastair Seeley had a tough weekend starting with a retirement in Saturday’s opener when his back brake locked solid whilst challenging in the top six.

In Sunday’s two races he took eleven points in eighth and 13th.

He said, “I’ve plenty of luck here at Oulton… just a pity it’s bad luck. I made a decent start on Saturday, stayed out of trouble and when I got into a rhythm the front group was coming back to me a bit, especially Nori.

“I thought they’d maybe start to have some tyre issues late in the race so I was confident of pushing through and maybe challenging for top three or four.

“I came into Druids and thought I’d gone back a gear too many as the bike was backing in; then the same thing happened only worse at Lodge. I looked down and saw the back brake disk glowing red hot, so that was my race run.

“In the second race I picked them off to go sixth then towards the end the bike was moving around and sliding a bit and I dropped to eighth.

“In the third race I got beat up on the first lap and dropped off the group and to be honest the set up changes we made didn’t help. We need to regroup and give it another go at Brands.”

PJ Jacobsen impressed on his National 1000cc Superstock debut with a strong seventh place from his fourth row grid position, on one of the most challenging circuits on the calendar.

He was in a six rider train all challenging for the lower podium positions when the race was red flagged at two thirds distance.

He said, “That’s the craziest track I’ve ever ridden with blind corners that you really need to be on the gas with if you want to be putting in the lap times.

“I got caught out by the safety car going in, as I’ve never raced in that situation before but I loved the experience riding the Tyco Suzuki and I’d like to thank Philip and the boys for the opportunity.

“Hopefully we can do it again.”

Team Manager, Philip Neill, added, “That was a positive weekend all round. Josh continued what is turning into a superb season, increasing his podium tally to nine.

“It’s important to keep adding podium credits if you want to be a championship contender and Josh has more than confirmed he will be just that.

“Alastair had a strong qualifying and some steady results, but unfortunately what looked like being his best result on Saturday was spoiled by a rear brake problem, which was not his fault but these things can happen at times in racing.

“Reaching the all important top six is a big task now but I still believe Alastair can do it with some good tracks coming up for him.

“PJ has impressed us this weekend both on and off the track.

“To jump on a bike he had never ridden before, on one of the most difficult BSB tracks in the series for the very first time and finish seventh is testimony to the lad’s ability on a motorcycle.

“This was a one off ride but we would relish the chance to work with him again should the opportunity arise.”