IN an exciting National Superstock 1000 race at Brands Hatch, Danny Buchan almost pulled off the win of the season.

After claiming his usual fastest time in qualifying and pole position the weekend seemed to be following the normal pattern and another first place was the plan for the Burnham on Crouch rider on the Tsingtao Kawasaki ZX10 .

The ZX10, after performing almost faultlessly throughout 2014, suddenly decided to throw a spanner into the works showing some temperament before the last race of the current series.

This technical hitch put Buchan, the already crowned 2014 Champion, on the back row of the grid with a mountain to climb if he wanted to take his ninth class win.

A somewhat apprehensive team watched as the lights went out and Buchan got the Kawasaki off the line and began to weave through the pack like a man on a mission.

At the end of the first lap he had carved through the field having gained 19 places into 17th position and on lap six, after making up some further 16 positions, had caught and passed the front runners into the lead.

On lap seven his pace was such that he pulled out an immediate 0.5 second gap with the fastest lap of the race and by lap nine had stretched his lead to 2.930s over his opponents.

Then on lap ten the Kawasaki’s technical problem returned and with the ensuing loss of power the advantage slowly reduced and Hudson Kennaugh and Jason O’Halloran, in second and third respectively, suddenly saw their chance.

They enthusiastically renewed the chase, slowly catching the stricken ZX10 and on the last lap O’Halloran made a slingshot move to pass Kennaugh coming into the pit straight for the final time and snatched a dramatic win at the line by 0.041sec from Buchan.

Buchan said: “What a day.

“A small problem with the bike forced me to start from the back of the grid in 39th position.

“On lap six I was in the lead and pulled a nice gap.

“Five laps to go the bike slowed up causing me to lose time and ended up second over the line.

“A bit gutted at the time but enjoyed every minute of it.

“What a way to end the year. Fantastic. Thank you everyone for the support”

Both Buchan and O’Halloran are moving up into the premier class, British Superbikes for 2015 and will give the established riders a run for their money.

FINAL POINTS: Danny Buchan 260, Jason O’Halloran 232, Lee Jackson 162.