The final round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship took place this weekend at Brands Hatch. Unfortunately, the bad luck that the C & L Fairburn Properties Look Forward Honda racing team and Billy McConnell continued throughout the weekend.
It was a tough end to what has been a great experience for the entire team as they bow out of the series. Fortunately, Billy was able to secure a ninth place to finish the season at the last ever race for the team.
They were troubled with crashes and problems throughout the weekend, having to purchase an engine off a fellow team on Friday. At the start of the season every team has to declare their gear ratios, the team did not have an engine tuner at Brands and the second gear was not as declared at the start so sadly, they were disqualified from the opening race.
Billy was forced to start from the back of the grid again for race two but could only fight through to 18th. The conditions changed for Billy on Sunday, and the rain came down hard, he started from 19th on the grid and was able to carve his way through the back to finish the year with a top ten result in 9th.
Billy – “I think this has been one of my toughest seasons and we were really hoping Brands might have been a bit smoother, but it just wasn’t meant to be.
I’m glad I could get a result in the final race, I don’t know my plans yet for the future, but I just want to say a huge thank you to Chris for all his input and hard work over the years. It’s not often someone comes along and just runs a team like he has. We’ve had some great times and made some fantastic memories. All the family have become family and I’m extremely grateful for the times we’ve had together, thank you so much.
Also, thanks to everyone who has supported us over the years, it never goes unnoticed. And lastly to the team, who have always stood by me and worked so hard every year, I’m very grateful to have such good people in my corner.”
Chris Fairburn – “What an end to a season, what an end to this journey. Luck just didn’t follow us this year unfortunately.
That aside we’ve had a very memorable experience in the BSB paddock and made memories for life. We are very grateful for all the support always and thank you to MSV, medics, marshals and everyone involved in making this fantastic sport happen.
We will be sad not to be involved in the future but it’s been amazing.”
