Aussie Brookes set to stay with HM Plant
Brookes heads to the season finale at Oulton Park tomorrow with a contract with present employers almost in the bag.
Pit lane rumblings suggested Brookes' bad boy reputation meant he was 'damaged goods' in the BSB paddock and would struggle to secure a ride for next season.
The Aussie rider's name was damaged after he was handed a two-meeting ban for dangerous riding which caused two separate crashes at Donington Park and Mallory Park.
But despite his spell on the sidelines, the 26-year-old Aussie revealed his nine podium finishes meant he held all the cards in the recent contract talks.
"I'm 90 percent sure I will be riding for HM Plant Honda next year now because I sat down with team boss Neil Tuxworth and we had a chat about what I wanted to do next year," said Brookes.
"It was quite good for me because they said they wanted me to ride next year but I had quite a lot of say in the decision and they were asking me what I wanted from the team next year.
"It was good for me because Neil asked me what I wanted to do and Neil asked me what my motivation was to race next season.
"I have said before that I feel like I have unfinished business in the BSB paddock and I am pretty sure I will be in the competition next season."
Brookes could only land two third-place finishes at Silverstone last time out as friend and training partner Leon Camier finally secured the BSB title.
And while admitting to enjoying watching his mate scoop the domestic crown, Brookes insists that will all be forgotten as he looks to claim his maiden superbike victory in Cheshire.
"I was really pleased for Leon to win the championship at the last round and I was just really pleased to be on the podium in both races," said Brookes.
"It is not often in professional sport that you are actually pleased when one of your rivals wins but that was the case at Silverstone.
"But I definitely won't be thinking about that when I get down to Oulton Park, that will all be forgotten and I just want to be getting down there and hopefully getting a win."
Fellow HM Plant Honda rider Glen Richards has set his sights on a top-10 finish as he continues his recovery from injury.
Richards finished fifth and sixth when the BSB circuit paid its first visit to Oulton Park for Round Two but has since had his season all-but ended by a broken femur suffered at Round Six at Knockhill.
The 36-year-old struggled on his return to action at Silverstone last time out – picking up just three points – but is eyeing a positive finish at the season finale.
"At Silverstone at the last round I was running in the top 10 just 12 weeks after I had broken my femur which is usually a season-ending injury," said Richards.
"So I am confident I have the ability to be up there and be challenging and I would really like to be in the BSB paddock next season."
Woodhall Spa ace Steve Plater heads to Oulton Park with one hand on the Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport title.
Plater holds an 11-point lead over Australian rival Billy McConnell going into the final race but, with the Aussie in good form, Plater knows he must be on top of his game.
British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next races at Oulton Park on Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11 and for updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com
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