KENT'S wildcard wonder Shane “Shakey” Byrne did the double at the World Superbikes at Brands Hatch on Sunday in front of around 120,000 fans.

The achievements of Byrne, who was born and brought up in Sittingbourne and now lives at Minster on Sheppey, over-shadowed series leader Neil Hodgson’s attempt to become world champion.

Hodgson went into the day leading the standings by 122 points over his nearest rival - Filan Ducati team-mate Ruben Xaus - and needed to extend that to 150 points to take the crown.

But Byrne (MonsterMob Ducati), who currently leads the British Superbike Championship, had his own agenda proving he is ready to step up to this level.

And prove it he did by winning by 5.799 seconds from Hodgson, whose runner-up position secured the manufacturers’ title for Ducati.

Shakey admited he was "ecstatic" after his win. He recovered from a sluggish start in race one to enjoy quite a battle with fellow wildcard John Reynolds until the Rizla Suzuki rider was forced to coast back to the pits on lap 12 following a mechanical problem.

There was another exciting battle for third place with Xaus, riding despite a broken figure following a crash 24-hours earlier in practice, looked favourite to win until smoke billowed out from under his Ducate 999’s saddle.

Despite valiant efforts to persevere, Xaus’ inevitable retirement cleared the way for Walker to claim second and Hodgson third.

Byrne and Reynolds took centre stage again in race two, with Shakey holding his nerve to win by 0.539 seconds.

Another wildcard, Sean Emmett, who was later black-flagged for a jump-start, had led into Paddock Hill Bend ahead of HM Plant Ducati’s Chris Walker, Reynolds and Byrne.

With 10 of the 25 laps gone, Byrne edged in front of Reynolds at the front with Walker in third with James Toseland, Xaus, Hodgson and Gregorio Lavilla all in close contention.

But after Walker crashed out, Byrne went on secure his second victory and Toseland took third to ensure an all-British podium for the second time that day.

Hodgson had gone into the second race still with the chance to take the title following Xaus’ retirement in race one, but had to sit back as once again Shakey stole the show.

Hodgson finished in fifth, a place behind Xaus, but still managed to increase his overall lead to 140 points so the champion-elect will now have to wait until the next round in the Netherlands in September to make the likely a reality.