Cal Crutchlow showed the Brands Hatch crowd just why he is the 2006 British Supersport Champion, with a hard-fought victory over Eugene Laverty in the penultimate race of the season.

After a brief shower as the riders sat on the grid, the race was declared dry. Tom Sykes got a great start from the front row of the grid, powering ahead of Crutchlow, Leon Camier, Laverty and Jay Vincent. It was clear that Crutchlow was on a mission to win the race from the off, as he shadowed Sykes around the circuit menacingly. Laverty, however, wasn't keen to let the new champion have it all his own way, as he passed Camier for third with a determined move one lap later.

Crutchlow dived ahead of Sykes at Surtees, and Laverty followed him through a few moments later. Meanwhile, Ian Lowry and Ben Castleton collided and ended up in the gravel at Druids, as Vincent took advantage of Camier's fading form with a pass across the start/finish straight.

Despite Crutchlow's determination, Laverty chased him down, attempting a move at Paddock on lap four. This was to no avail however, as Crutchlow was just too strong and retained his lead, for a while at least. As the pair crossed the line the next time, Laverty made it stick, much to Crutchlow's evident frustration. Crutchlow tried a move at every corner, but was unsuccessful due to Laverty's defence skills. Crutchlow was not to be messed with though, and slammed the door on Laverty on the woodland section.

But Laverty was relentless, and once again took the lead over the start/finish, and once again Crutchlow responded by muscling through at Druids! Meanwhile, Padgett's team-mates Vincent and Hobbs were fighting off Camier, Robinson and Murphy for fourth spot. It all got too much for Vincent and Murphy on lap ten however, as the pair were seen tumbling into the gravel at Stirlings. It appeared at first that they had collided, but it was in fact two separate incidents, each of them losing the front within seconds of each other.

Laverty hit the front again on lap 12, and the pair were too close for comfort as they clearly touched frequently as Crutchlow battled back. He re-took the lead on lap fourteen at Druids, only for Laverty to get him back a lap later!

With one lap to go, the pair were catching backmarkers. The first time the duo got through cleanly, as Crutchlow again snatched the lead at Surtees. Laverty's luck was about to run out though, as he was held up by a backmarker at a crucial moment half way through the final lap. Despite all his efforts and hopes to out-drag Crutchlow to the line, it wasn't to be, and Crutchlow took the win by just 0.065secs.

Sykes came in a lonely third, ahead of Camier, Hobbs, Spalding. Neate just got the better of Plater and Jessopp, with Guy Martin completing the top ten.

BSS Race results - Brands Hatch

1. Cal Crutchlow
2. Eugene Laverty
3. Tom Sykes
4. Leon Camier
5. Dennis Hobbs
6. Pete Spalding
7. Steven Neate
8. Steve Plater
9. Martin Jessopp
10. Guy Martin