Brogan wins close Supersport scrap.

After a lengthy pace car period, a thoroughly absorbing Fuchs British Supersport race was eventually won by HM Plant Honda rider Steve Brogan after a race long scrap with Glen Richards on the British Triumph.

The pattern of the race was interrupted initially by a huge crash between two of the front running riders; Dennis Hobbs and James Webb, brother of 125GP star Danny.

The pair were fighting to get into the top three in the early stages of the race when approaching the final chicane, Webb forced his Padgetts Honda up the inside of regular front runner Hobbs.

Webb lost the front end of the bike and unfortunately Hobbs was right alongside the youngster at the time and his bike was taken out from under him. Both riders were flung into the safety fence, Hobbs in particular getting thrown about like a rag doll as he hit the barrier.

Webb was able to walk away while the unlucky Hobbs was diagnosed as having a dislocated shoulder.

While all this was going on the pace car was despatched with Brogan leading the pack round the very open Hampshire circuit.

On the restart Richards pounced straightaway and nipped inside Brogan into the first bend. As has been seen in WSS races though the British bike is not able to match the Honda yet on outright top speed and Brogan was soon back in front into the last chicane.

Behind this pair all hell was breaking loose in typical Supersport style. Paul Young on another Triumph was right in there, as were Aaron Walker and the highly talented Chris Martin on a Kawasaki.

Also making stealthy progress after sluggish starts were 2007 series runner up Ian Lowry on the menacing black TAS Suzuki and Brands Hatch practice pacesetter Hudson Kennaugh on a Yamaha.

The front pair were circulating as one for the rest of the race, Richards able to make occasional passes into the tighter corners but Brogan always able to pull past on the straights. Late on, the squabbling pair were joined by Martin.

Indeed the former 125 star nipped inside Richards into the Complex on the last lap, just as Glen was planning a move for the lead, but the Kawasaki went too wide and allowed Richards back through again.

The Triumph's neck was rung over the last part of the lap but Brogan was not to be denied and took a superb victory, blowing kisses to all and sundry on his slow-down lap.

Richards can take heart from this showing though, most of the tracks in the calendar should really suit the nimble British machine and the Aussie should be on the top of the rostrum soon.

After troubled practice sessions, Kennaugh and Lowry did a superb damage limitation exercise to get through the field into fourth and fifth.

Privateers cup winner was Craig Fitzpatrick, continuing the superb pace he showed at Brands Hatch.

Race result; Fuchs British Supersport: Thruxton: 18laps.

1. Steve Brogan HM Plant Honda 25m04.288s
2. Glen Richards MAP Embassy Triumph +0.094s
3. Chris Martin Gearlink Kawasaki +0.586s
4. Hudson Kennaugh Raceways Yamaha +1.348s
5. Ian Lowry Relentless Suzuki +1.999s
6. Tom Grant Thomson Yamaha +4.779s
7. Marty Nutt Nutt Travel Yamaha +4.942s
8. Ian Hutchinson Aim Racing Yamaha +5.552s
9. Paul Young MAP Embassy Triumph +5.557s
10. Steven Neate Gearlink Kawasaki +6.512s
11. Rob Frost Team Buff Triumph +6.691s
12. Aaron Walker TJW Honda +7.155s
13. Craig Fitzpatrick BLDS Yamaha (CUP) +7.556s
14. Midge Smart W & L Yamaha +10.965s
15. James Westmoreland Centurion Honda +11.494s

(CUP) denotes Supersport Cup rider.

Fastest lap: Hudson Kennaugh 1m18.429s