Hickman saved his best until the last round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch on the FHO Racing M 1000 RR BMW.
Friday’s sessions were cut short due to a damp FP2, but again Hickman did enough with a 1:25.591 on lap 16 in FP1 to secure his place in the Superpicks top 12. A positive start to the weekend.
Saturday afternoon qualifying, saw Hicky set the fastest lap of the session on lap 3, 1:25.199, until Glenn Irwin took pole with a 1:25.168. So a front row start alongside Glenn and Bridewell.
Race One Sprint Race 16 laps
Hicky got a great start from the front row and headed down Paddock Hill bend with Irwin and the chasing pack.
Glenn got his head down while Andrew Irwin and Hicky made chase. Hicky made a mistake into Druids on lap 10, losing 2nd place to Andrew, but regained the place the next time around.
Breaking away from the rest of the field the three finished the race in the same places, crossing the line in 2nd place. Hicky’s fastest lap was 1:25.171 on lap 3.
Race Two 20 laps
Starting in P3, front row, this time behind Bridewell and Irwin.
Hicky got away well in third and went up into the lead on lap 3. With a long race ahead, he gapped the chasing pack for several laps, but keeping enough room between the riders behind, he was able to control the pace and the race, crossing the line P1.
His first BSB win of 2022.
Hicky’s fastest lap was 1:25.474 on lap 5.
Race Three 20 laps
Another Front row start for Hickman and he got another good start. This time the plan didn’t come together and Hicky battled with the Irwins and Buchan, the four riders changing positions with Hicky struggling for rear grip. Sitting in 4th until the last lap where Bridewell took the place and left Hicky crossing the line in p5.
Hicky’s fastest lap was a 1:25.288 on lap 5
Peter Hickman
“Better late than never is the saying I think! I’m super, super happy for Faye and all the team, the boys have worked so hard all year and to reward them with a proper race win – it wasn’t wet or anything, it was a proper full dry race – is the best way to end the year.
“I genuinely don’t have a lot of goals but one of the things I’ve said I wanted to do was win a big bike race at the TT and a British Superbike race in the same year – and we’ve done it. This team is incredible, this is for them.
“When you don’t make The Showdown, there’s not a lot to play for apart from race wins and we’ve managed that and we’ve also won the Riders Cup and ended up top BMW in the championship.
“We’ve ended the year well and I just want to thank everyone at FHO Racing for getting me here. This one’s for the whole team.”
Lastly, a massive thank you to my sponsors and supporters, as always you have been mega.
Hicky
LEAVING THE THE BEST UNTIL LAST!