THE opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship came to Brands Hatch on Sunday, writes Steve Boniface.

Defending champion Gregorio Lavilla set the standard during Saturday qualifying by taking pole position for the two races.

Race one was cut short when Lavillas team mate Leon Haslam crashed heavily at Paddock Hill bend while challenging the Spanish rider for the lead.

Fortunately Haslam was not seriously hurt and was able to take to the grid for race two.

With Lavilla being declared the winner Karl Harris took second position and Michael Rutter completed the podium.

The second race of the day was held in very difficult conditions.

With light rain and strong winds constantly changing track conditions, tyre choice was a lottery.

Japans Ryuichi Kiyonari decided to go with full wet tyres whilst Lavilla went with slicks.

As the race got under way Kiyonari left all others in his wake.

Amazingly Lavilla on his dry weather tyres was able to keep up with the group chasing Kiyonari, most of which had chosen an intermediate tyre.

Kiyonari had a commanding lead at the end of the race with Haslam taking a well deserved second ahead of Lavilla.

Local rider Tommy Hill only completed two laps in race one.

Race two however saw a resurgent Hill finish in an excellent sixth position on his Team Virgin Mobile Yamaha.

Former British Superbike racer and local favourite, Dave Redgate, has now moved in to team management.

In a very short period he has got together with many of his old team and set up Team Buff Kawasaki with Rob Frost riding for them in the Supersport class.

Frost qualified well in 10th position just over half a second off pole position.

In the race Frost was battling through the field with a podium finish looking on the cards when he crashed out bringing the race to a premature halt.

Fortunately rider and bike did not sustain any serious injury.