Tommy Hill has taken out the 2011 British Superbike Championship by .006 seconds, after John Hopkins bike suffered electrical problems in race 2 of the triple header at Brands Hatch.

Hill wins 2011 BSB title by 6 thousandths

Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill has won the 2011 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship after beating John Hopkins to the line by just 0.006 seconds for second place to win the title by two points after an epic final lap as the title protagonists fought for the crown. HM Plant Honda’s Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne won the final race of the season.

In the earlier race 2, Hopkins bike was struck by the dreaded electrical gremlins. Despite a huge effort to fight back, Hopkins 12th place dropped his points advantage to just 2. Josh Brookes finished the year in 5th place in the championship.

John Hopkins: “Well I don’t feel great obviously, but I don’t feel completely empty either. This has been a great season, I gave it everything I had but it just wasn’t to be. So hats off to Tommy for taking the title.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful to the Samsung Crescent Racing team, they gave me everything including the best bike out there. I came into this year on a make or break basis in terms of my racing career but with their help I’m now set for a world championship ride next year. The team has put me there. I’m hugely grateful.”

British Superbike Championship Results 2011

1 Tommy Hill (Swan Yamaha) 647
2 John Hopkins (Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki) 645
3 Shane Byrne (HM Plant Honda) 625
4 Michael Laverty (Swan Yamaha) 601
5 Josh Brookes (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 598
6 Ryuichi Kiyonari (HM Plant Honda) 526