Host-it.co.uk Racing's Josh Day wrapped up his winning Ducati TriOptions Cup season in style, sharing a win with Chris Walker at Brands Hatch

4T2 Racing’s Chris Walker was victorious on Saturday, for the second time this season. Mixed weather conditions meant the race was declared wet with Rich Energy Ducati’s David Shoubridge starting from pole for the first time this year.

Shoubridge led for the early stages of the race, but his wet tyre choice proved to be the wrong call and after having a moment on Hailwood on the run up to Druids, Walker was able to make a pass into Graham Hill to take the lead.

Walker went on to take the flag with 4.5s gap over Craig Neve (CN Racing), with John McGuinness (Blue Earth Construction) a further 12.9s down the road claiming his second podium finish of 2021.

Alberto Solera (Solera Sport) got his best result of the year to date with fourth to keep his R&G Ducati Shield hopes alive, with his rival Carl Stevens (Freeman Harris Solicitors Ducati) finishing outside the points for the first time this season in 22nd - in part due to having to rebuild his bike following a crash in free Practice on Friday.

Josh Day, who claimed his third consecutive title last time out on the Host-it.co.uk Racing Team Panigale V2, pitted during the race with a rear brake issue but was able to get back out on track to put in the fastest lap to ensure he would start from pole on Sunday.

Sunday’s race, however, saw Walker initially get the holeshot, but it was Day who led the field as the riders started their second lap around the Brands Hatch GP circuit.

The race was interrupted with a safety car following several crashes during cold and damp conditions. But the interruption failed to distract Day who crossed the chequered flag to take his eleventh win of the season. Walker, McGuinness and Shoubridge were all within a second behind, with Walker and McGuinness both stepping onto the podium for the second time together as the weekend, and season, came to a conclusion.

“A much better race today than yesterday,” Day said on Sunday afternoon. “We had a rear brake issue to force us to pit, but we went back out and set pole for today’s race. Today’s race was similar conditions to yesterday, damp track – not great. I followed Chris and tried to get close to him and soon realised there was loads of grip out there and made my move on him and got my head down.

“The times were coming down and I really wanted to get the lap record, and even with the damp conditions, we were close. It was a shame the safety car came out but there were a few issues but hopefully everyone is alright.

“It is brilliant to end the year with a win and the eleventh win of the year. It’s not bad is it?” He continued. “So, massive thanks to the Host-it guys again and Andrew for giving me this opportunity for the last three years. It’s been immense.”

“It’s been phenomenal really,” Walker added. “I have said before, it started out as a bit of fun. It was just one phone call and then it spiralled from there. Then we went to the first test, way back, I was more on the pace than I thought I would be. The bike, I didn’t know what to expect. I had never ridden a Ducati V2, the last time I rode a Ducati was 2003 in the World Championships, so I genuinely didn’t know what to expect.

“I am a bit more portly than I used to be, I broke my back a few years ago and never got back to being super-fit. I got fit for the season and then the season got delayed and it was a long time coming. But when it finally started, I just missed out on a podium at Donington and then every round since then I have managed to put it on the podium.

“The team has been faultless,” he continued. “The bike has been faultless and the last time I put a season like this together I was second in the British Championship on a Superbike. It’s been amazing and I have a lot of people to thank - Craig Currie behind the scenes funding a lot of it, Lee Dixon to get the bike ready over the winter and Moto Rapido, who I haven’t mentioned built our bikes. We didn’t become a Ducati dealer until after the season started and Dan my mechanic has been awesome, the bike hasn’t missed a beat and of course thanks to the family, awesome as always.”