# 2008 British Superbike Championship

The 2008 British Superbike Championship season was scheduled to begin on 6 April 2008; however, snow at Brands Hatch forced the abandonment of the day's races, which were later rescheduled. The series was rescheduled to start on 20 April and end on 12 October 2008.
Starting with this season the championship has a single tyre supplier.
Pirelli beat Dunlop to sign a three-year deal.
For the 2008 season the engine configuration regulations were changed in parallel with those of the World Superbike Championship, to permit the racing of 1200 cc V-twins against 1000 cc four-cylinder machines.

## Calendar

| Round | Round | Circuit | Date | Pole position | Fastest lap | Winning rider | Winning team |
| - | R1 | Brands Hatch GP | 6 April | Shane Byrne | Abandoned took place on 11 May | Abandoned took place on 11 May | Abandoned took place on 11 May |
| - | R2 | Brands Hatch GP | 6 April | Shane Byrne | Abandoned took place on 11 May | Abandoned took place on 11 May | Abandoned took place on 11 May |
| 1 | R1 | Thruxton | 20 April | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 1 | R2 | Thruxton | 20 April | Shane Byrne | Cal Crutchlow | Cal Crutchlow | HM Plant Honda |
| 2 | R1 | Oulton Park | 5 May | Cal Crutchlow | Cal Crutchlow | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 2 | R2 | Oulton Park | 5 May | Cal Crutchlow | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 3 | R1 | Brands Hatch GP | 11 May | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 3 | R2 | Brands Hatch GP | 11 May | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Cal Crutchlow | HM Plant Honda |
| 4 | R1 | Donington Park | 26 May | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 4 | R2 | Donington Park | 26 May | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 5 | R1 | Snetterton | 15 June | Shane Byrne | Leon Camier | Leon Camier | Airwaves Ducati |
| 5 | R2 | Snetterton | 15 June | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 6 | R1 | Mallory Park | 29 June | Tom Sykes | Tom Sykes | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 6 | R2 | Mallory Park | 29 June | Tom Sykes | Cal Crutchlow | Michael Rutter | NW 200 Ducati |
| 7 | R1 | Oulton Park | 20 July | Cal Crutchlow | Tom Sykes | Tom Sykes | Rizla Suzuki |
| 7 | R2 | Oulton Park | 20 July | Cal Crutchlow | Tom Sykes | Tom Sykes | Rizla Suzuki |
| 8 | R1 | Knockhill | 10 August | Leon Haslam | Michael Laverty | Tom Sykes | Rizla Suzuki |
| 8 | R2 | Knockhill | 10 August | Leon Haslam | Leon Haslam | Leon Haslam | HM Plant Honda |
| 9 | R1 | Cadwell Park | 25 August | Tom Sykes | Tom Sykes | Leon Haslam | HM Plant Honda |
| 9 | R2 | Cadwell Park | 25 August | Tom Sykes | Leon Haslam | Leon Haslam | HM Plant Honda |
| 10 | R1 | Croft | 14 September | Cal Crutchlow | Shane Byrne | Leon Camier | Airwaves Ducati |
| 10 | R2 | Croft | 14 September | Cal Crutchlow | Shane Byrne | Leon Haslam | HM Plant Honda |
| 11 | R1 | Silverstone International | 28 September | Cal Crutchlow | Leon Haslam | Leon Camier | Airwaves Ducati |
| 11 | R2 | Silverstone International | 28 September | Cal Crutchlow | Shane Byrne | Leon Haslam | HM Plant Honda |
| 12 | R1 | Brands Hatch Indy | 12 October | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
| 12 | R2 | Brands Hatch Indy | 12 October | Shane Byrne | Leon Haslam | Shane Byrne | Airwaves Ducati |
Notes:
    1.^ – The qualifying results from the original meeting were carried forward to the rescheduled meeting.
    2.^ – The opening meeting at Brand Hatch GP was cancelled due to heavy snowfall on the Sunday; the meeting was rescheduled for 11 May.

## Entry list

2008 entry list :
| Team | Bike | No. | Riders | Class | Rounds |
| Airwaves Ducati | Ducati 1098R | 2 | Leon Camier | | 1–6, 8–12 |
| Airwaves Ducati | Ducati 1098R | 67 | Shane Byrne | | 1–12 |
| MSS Discovery Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 3 | Stuart Easton | | 1–4, 9–12 |
| MSS Discovery Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 8 | Billy McConnell | | 1–12 |
| MSS Discovery Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 86 | James Haydon* | | 6–7 |
| Relentless Suzuki | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 4 | Michael Laverty | | 1–12 |
| Rob Mac Racing Yamaha | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 5 | Karl Harris | | 1–2, 4–11 |
| Hawk Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 6 | James Haydon* | | |
| Hawk Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 88 | Scott Smart | | 1–12 |
| Bike Animal Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 9 | Guy Martin | | 1–3, 5–12 |
| Bike Animal Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 7 | James Ellison | | 1–8, 10–12 |
| SMT Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 11 | Adam Jenkinson | | |
| Rizla Suzuki | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 14 | Atsushi Watanabe | | 1–12 |
| Rizla Suzuki | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 66 | Tom Sykes | | 1–12 |
| British Jentin Yamaha | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 17 | Simon Andrews | | 1–12 |
| Hardinge Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 21 | Tom Tunstall | C | |
| AIM Yamaha | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 22 | Steve Plater | | 2 |
| Tena for Men Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 27 | Tristan Palmer | | 1–12 |
| Tena for Men Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 33 | Michael Howarth | C | |
| Holdtight Yamaha | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 31 | Nick Pusey | C | |
| HM Plant Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 35 | Cal Crutchlow | | 1–12 |
| HM Plant Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 91 | Leon Haslam | | 1–12 |
| Riders Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 40 | Martin Jessopp | C | |
| Bike Shop Faversham | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 44 | Steve Mercer | C | |
| PDM Racing | Suzuki GSX-R1000 | 51 | Luke Quigley | C | |
| MV Agusta | MV F4312 | 53 | Chris Burns | C | |
| Quay Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 56 | James Buckingham | C | |
| Red Viper Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 64 | Aaron Zanotti | | |
| PR Branson Honda | Honda CBR1000RR | 68 | David Johnson | | |
| TAG Honda MAC Racing | Honda CBR1000RR | 99 | Brian McCormack | C | |
| MAR ARP Kawasaki | Kawasaki ZXR1000 | 111 | Malcolm Ashley | C | |
| Co-ordit Yamaha | Yamaha YZF-R1 | 118 | Dean Ellison | C | |
| North West 200 Ducati | Ducati 1098R | 200 | Michael Rutter | | |
| Icon | Class |
| C | Privateers Cup |
Key :
* Regular Rider
* Wildcard Rider
* Replacement Rider

### Support races

* Fuchs-Silkolene British Supersport Championship: Winner - Glen Richards
* Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship: Winner - Steve Brogan
* Metzeler Junior Superstock 600 Championship: Winner - Lee Johnson
* Henderson Yamaha R1 Cup: Winner - Jon Kirkham
* British 125 GP Championship: Winner - Matthew Hoyle
* KTM 990 Super Duke Challenge: Winner - David Wood

## Season standings
### Riders' standings

| Pos. | Rider | Bike | THR | THR | OUL | OUL | BHGP | BHGP | DON | DON | SNE | SNE | MAL | MAL | OUL | OUL | KNO | KNO | CAD | CAD | CRO | CRO | SIL | SIL | BHI | BHI | Pts |
| Pos. | Rider | Bike | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | Pts |
| 1 | Shane Byrne | Ducati | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Ret | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 474 |
| 2 | Leon Haslam | Honda | 4 | Ret | 2 | DSQ | 4 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | Ret | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 357 |
| 3 | Cal Crutchlow | Honda | 2 | 1 | 6 | Ret | 3 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 2 | Ret | 7 | 5 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 2 | Ret | 2 | 4 | 318 |
| 4 | Tom Sykes | Suzuki | 6 | 8 | 5 | Ret | 2 | Ret | 3 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | DSQ | 3 | 6 | Ret | 316 |
| 5 | Leon Camier | Ducati | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Ret | 8 | | | 5 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 306 |
| 6 | Michael Rutter | Ducati | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | Ret | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 4 | Ret | 1 | 7 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 256 |
| 7 | James Ellison | Honda | 7 | 7 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 5 | | | 9 | 7 | Ret | 6 | 3 | 5 | 230 |
| 8 | Simon Andrews | Yamaha | 8 | Ret | Ret | 7 | 9 | Ret | 10 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 176 |
| 9 | Michael Laverty | Suzuki | 10 | 5 | 7 | 4 | Ret | 4 | 9 | Ret | 6 | 6 | 11 | Ret | 9 | 7 | 6 | 21 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 10 | Ret | 15 | Ret | Ret | 141 |
| 10 | Tristan Palmer | Honda | 13 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 28 | 12 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 13 | 111 |
| 11 | Karl Harris | Yamaha | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | | | 7 | 7 | 8 | Ret | Ret | 5 | 26 | 9 | 7 | 3 | Ret | 10 | 8 | 8 | Ret | 5 | DNS | DNS | 102 |
| 12 | Billy McConnell | Kawasaki | 14 | 10 | Ret | 10 | 8 | 9 | Ret | Ret | 11 | 11 | 6 | 16 | 8 | 10 | Ret | 9 | 12 | 24 | 17 | Ret | 10 | 9 | 12 | Ret | 91 |
| 13 | Stuart Easton | Kawasaki | 9 | 6 | 10 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 11 | 11 | | | | | | | | | Ret | 14 | 15 | 13 | 8 | 11 | Ret | Ret | 81 |
| 14 | Scott Smart | Kawasaki | 16 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 12 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 10 | 11 | 8 | Ret | 13 | 13 | 8 | 13 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 21 | 20 | 69 |
| 15 | Atsushi Watanabe | Suzuki | 17 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 12 | Ret | 17 | 13 | 12 | 20 | 9 | 20 | 13 | 17 | Ret | 15 | 9 | 7 | 12 | 12 | 9 | Ret | 14 | 14 | 69 |
| 16 | Gary Mason | Honda | | | | | | | 18 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 23 | Ret | 14 | 10 | 17 | 10 | Ret | 11 | 11 | DSQ | DSQ | 11 | 9 | 51 |
| 17 | John Laverty | Ducati | 12 | 11 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 13 | | | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 49 |
| 18 | Guy Martin | Honda | 15 | 9 | 12 | Ret | 13 | 12 | | | Ret | Ret | 16 | 17 | Ret | 18 | Ret | 14 | 15 | 11 | 18 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 16 | 15 | 28 |
| 19 | Jason O'Halloran | Honda | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | 15 | 7 | 10 | 15 | 12 | 21 |
| 20 | Chris Burns | MV Agusta | 18 | Ret | 16 | 18 | 14 | Ret | Ret | Ret | | | 15 | 13 | Ret | Ret | 15 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 19 | Ret | 13 | Ret | 21 | 11 | 21 |
| 21 | David Johnson | Honda | 19 | Ret | 17 | 16 | Ret | 16 | Ret | Ret | 18 | 14 | 12 | 12 | Ret | Ret | 13 | DNS | Ret | 16 | 20 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 19 | Ret | 21 |
| 22 | Jon Kirkham | Yamaha | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9 | 10 | 13 |
| 23 | Steve Mercer | Yamaha | 20 | Ret | 15 | Ret | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| 23 | Steve Mercer | Kawasaki | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 11 | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| 24 | Tom Grant | Honda | | | Ret | 16 | | | 13 | Ret | | | | | | | 15 | 19 | | | | | | | | | 10 |
| 25 | Dean Ellison | Yamaha | 21 | 15 | Ret | Ret | | | 14 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 18 | 14 | 16 | Ret | 19 | Ret | DNS | | | | | | | 9 |
| 26 | James Haydon | Kawasaki | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | 15 | 12 | 15 | | | | | 19 | DNS | | | | | 6 |
| 27 | Sean Emmett | Yamaha | 11 | Ret | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| 27 | Sean Emmett | Honda | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | | | 5 |
| 28 | Steve Plater | Yamaha | | | Ret | 12 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| 29 | Marshall Neill | Honda | | | | | | | | | | 15 | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 4 |
| 30 | Martin Jessopp | Honda | 25 | 16 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 17 | | | 22 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 4 |
| 31 | Luke Quigley | Suzuki | 28 | Ret | 18 | 14 | Ret | 15 | Ret | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 |
| 32 | Aaron Zanotti | Honda | 22 | 19 | 21 | Ret | 19 | 14 | Ret | Ret | 19 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 24 | 19 | 17 | 23 | 22 | 22 | | | | | | | 2 |
| 33 | Peter Hickman | Honda | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | 16 | 25 | 16 | 2 |
| | Tom Tunstall | Honda | 26 | 18 | 14 | 21 | Ret | 18 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 0 |
| | Malcolm Ashley | Kawasaki | 23 | 17 | 19 | 22 | Ret | Ret | | | | | 20 | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | 22 | 0 |
| | James Buckingham | Honda | 24 | 20 | 22 | 20 | Ret | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
| | Leon Morris | Ducati | 27 | 21 | 17 | 24 | DNS | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | | | Ret | Ret | 16 | Ret | 21 | 21 | | | 18 | 21 | Ret | 20 | 0 |
| | Michael Howarth | Honda | 23 | 22 | Ret | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | | | | | 20 | 26 | 20 | 18 | Ret | 23 | 23 | Ret | | | | | 0 |
| | Brain McCormack | Honda | Ret | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
| | Shannon Etheridge | Kawasaki | | | | | | | Ret | 20 | Ret | 22 | | | Ret | 22 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 20 | Ret | 19 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| | Dan Stewart | Honda | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | 21 | | | | | | | 16 | 18 | | | 0 |
| | Howie Mainwaring | Suzuki | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
| | Francis Williamson | Ducati | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | 25 | | | | | | | 20 | 22 | Ret | Ret | 0 |
| | Kenny Gilbertson | Kawasaki | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | DNS | Ret | DNS | 18 | DNS | | | | | | | 0 |
| | Victor Cox | Yamaha | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | Ret | 0 |
| Colour | Result |
| Gold | Winner |
| Silver | Second place |
| Bronze | Third place |
| Green | Points finish |
| Blue | Non-points finish |
| Blue | Non-classified finish (NC) |
| Purple | Retired (Ret) |
| Red | Did not qualify (DNQ) |
| Red | Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ) |
| Black | Disqualified (DSQ) |
| White | Did not start (DNS) |
| White | Withdrew (WD) |
| White | Race cancelled (C) |
| Blank | Did not practice (DNP) |
| Blank | Did not arrive (DNA) |
| Blank | Excluded (EX) |

### Privateers Cup

2008 Final Privateers Cup standings :
| Pos | Rider | Bike | THR | THR | OUL | OUL | BHGP | BHGP | DON | DON | SNE | SNE | MAL | MAL | OUL | OUL | KNO | KNO | CAD | CAD | CRO | CRO | SIL | SIL | BHI | BHI | Pts |
| Pos | Rider | Bike | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | R1 | R2 | Pts |
| 1 | John Laverty | Ducati | 12 | 11 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 13 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 14 | 10 | 13 | | | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 13 | 21 | 13 | 8 | 469 |
| 2 | Martin Jessopp | Honda | 25 | 16 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 17 | | | 22 | 21 | 17 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 14 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 20 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 328 |
| 3 | Gary Mason | Honda | | | | | | | 18 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 23 | Ret | 14 | 10 | 17 | 10 | Ret | 11 | 11 | DSQ | DSQ | 11 | 9 | 307 |
| 4 | Tom Tunstall | Honda | 26 | 18 | 14 | 21 | Ret | 18 | 19 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 17 | 23 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 22 | 18 | 17 | 19 | 23 | 19 | 283 |
| 5 | Chris Burns | MV Agusta | 18 | Ret | 16 | 18 | 14 | Ret | Ret | Ret | | | 15 | 13 | Ret | Ret | 15 | 10 | 16 | 17 | 19 | Ret | 13 | Ret | 21 | 11 | 267 |
| 6 | Leon Morris | Ducati | 27 | 21 | 17 | 24 | DNS | 20 | 20 | 19 | 20 | 19 | | | Ret | Ret | 16 | Ret | 21 | 21 | | | 18 | 21 | Ret | 20 | 165 |
| 7 | Shannon Etheridge | Kawasaki | | | | | | | Ret | 20 | Ret | 22 | | | Ret | 22 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 20 | Ret | 19 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 17 | 134 |
| 8 | Michael Howarth | Honda | 23 | 22 | Ret | 23 | 18 | 19 | 21 | 21 | | | | | 20 | 26 | 20 | 18 | Ret | 23 | 23 | Ret | | | | | 127 |
| 9 | Malcolm Ashley | Kawasaki | 23 | 17 | 19 | 22 | Ret | Ret | | | | | 20 | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | 24 | 22 | 75 |
| 10 | Luke Quigley | Suzuki | 28 | Ret | 18 | 14 | Ret | 15 | Ret | 18 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 73 |
| 11 | Dan Stewart | Honda | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | 21 | | | | | | | 16 | 18 | | | 58 |
| 12 | James Buckingham | Honda | 24 | 20 | 22 | 20 | Ret | DNS | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 42 |
| 13 | Steve Mercer | Yamaha | 20 | Ret | 15 | Ret | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 41 |
| 13 | Steve Mercer | Kawasaki | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12 | 11 | | | | | | | | | 41 |
| 14 | Francis Williamson | Ducati | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | 25 | | | | | | | 20 | 22 | Ret | Ret | 27 |
| 15 | Kenny Gilbertson | Kawasaki | | | | | | | | | | | | | Ret | DNS | Ret | DNS | 18 | DNS | | | | | | | 11 |
| 16 | Victor Cox | Yamaha | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 18 | Ret | 10 |
| 17 | Brian McCormack | Honda | Ret | 23 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8 |
John Laverty won the Cup class on his Buildbase NW200 Ducati.