Series lead after Brands Hatch win

Richard Cooper gained first and third places in the National Superstock 1000 Championship series at Brands Hatch.

He claimed his, and Bennetts Suzuki’s, second win of the season after the first 50-mile race at the Indy circuit was red-flagged due to rain.

Cooper qualified on the front row for the 38-lap race and hit the front on lap five, using the exceptional drive of the all-new GSX-R1000 out of Clearways to make a pass for the lead into Paddock Hill.

From there, he controlled the race, leading every lap until the red flags came out in the closing stages due to the rain.

It earned him another 25 championship points, which he added to with a third place the following day to remain eight points clear.

Speaking after his first-race victory, Cooper said: “Spot on, just the job we wanted.

“The pace has been there all weekend.

“It went to plan really. I wanted to hit the front and break away from everyone else.

“I knew one or two might come with me, but I was happier to have just myself and Danny [Buchan] at the front rather than a big group.

“I was leading at the right time and if we had gone full distance I know he would have had a go, but I was ready for it. I’m happy with the win and happy for the team.

“The bike is working well, we have improved on the areas we needed to while keeping our strength on corner exit.”

Team manager Steve Hicken added: “It’s good to get another win under our belts in Superstock.

“We have done a good job and Cooper’s been on the money in all of the sessions.

“The pace in Superstock is really fast, so to be so competitive so quickly with a new bike is really good.”