Airwaves Ducati's Shane Byrne took the final race win of the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike Championship season at Brands Hatch this afternoon after a final fight with Leon Haslam on the last lap of the second race.

Byrne said: "I really don't know what to say, that was one of my best races this year and all credit to Leon Haslam in that race as he did a fantastic job. I was running at a good pace and I knew I just had to close on Leon and I tried to make a pass at Paddock Hill and he just held the line and I couldn't get through. I was lucky with a backmarker and had the better line and was able to use it to my advantage. I just want to thank everyone at GSE and Airwaves Ducati for everything this season. It was a great way to end the season and say good-bye to BSB for a while."

Haslam has been riding through the pain barrier today at Brands Hatch after suffering a shoulder injury after a heavy crash during yesterday's Swan Combi 50 - Roll for Pole session but he took the lead on the opening lap as the pack streamed through Paddock Hill Bend for the first time.

On the opening lap Cal Crutchlow was able to move up to second past Tom Sykes on the inside at Druids, with Ellison running fourth ahead of Byrne. 'Shakey' was on the move though, passing Ellison at Clearways on lap five, with team-mate Leon Camier making the move on Ellison just a lap later.

Byrne was able to move to third at Paddock Hill Bend when he dived past Sykes then he had Crutchlow in his sights. It wasn't until lap 15 that Crutchlow became his next victim though; Byrne forced his way up the inside at Druids.

Camier was also on the move on the second Airwaves Ducati, scrapping with Sykes for several laps before he was finally able to hold the position, then with ten laps remaining he was able to also get the better of Crutchlow.

On the final lap the pressure was on both race leader Haslam and the challenging Byrne. The Airwaves Ducati tried to forced a move at Paddock Hill Bend, but a determined Haslam held him off, with the pair almost touching.

As the pair approached Surtees they reached the backmarkers with Byrne diving one way and Haslam the other. Byrne was able to take the best line and hold the lead in the drag race to the flag.

There were more woes for the MSS Discovery Kawasaki team with both Stuart Easton and Billy McConnell not able to finish the final race of the day. Relentless Suzuki by TAS also were forced to retire from the race, with Michael Laverty only able to complete four laps.

Bennetts British Superbike Championship, Brands Hatch, race two result:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati)
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 1.817s
3. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) +4.305s
4. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) +8.561s
5. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) +9.783s
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) +11.400s
7. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) +24.265s
8. John Laverty (Buildbase NW200 Ducati) +25.844s
9. Gary Mason (Quay Garage Honda) +25.867s
10. Jon Kirkham (Rob Mac Racing Yamaha) +33.101s

Bennetts British Superbike Championship final standings:

1. Shane Byrne (Airwaves Ducati) 474
2. Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda) 357
3. Cal Crutchlow (HM Plant Honda) 318
4. Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki) 316
5. Leon Camier (Airwaves Ducati) 306
6. Michael Rutter (North West 200 Ducati) 256
7. James Ellison (Hydrex Bike Animal Honda) 230
8. Simon Andrews (Lloyds British Yamaha) 176
9. Michael Laverty (Relentless Suzuki by TAS) 141
10. Tristan Palmer (TENA for Men Honda) 111