DORSET’S Josh Brookes is refusing to quit the MCE British Superbike Championship despite being banned for two meetings for reckless riding.

The 26-year-old’s reputation has been left in tatters after causing a six-bike crash at Mallory Park in the last round when he ran into the back of race-leader Simon Andrews.

Brookes also received a suspended one race ban earlier in the year when he collided with Sylvain Guintoli at Donington Park, causing the Frenchman to be sidelined with a broken leg.

But the Australia-born HM Plant Honda star – who damaged ligaments in his thumb at Mallory – will not hang up his leathers and has vowed to restore his reputation in the sport.

“It’s been a really difficult couple of weeks with what happened at Mallory Park,” said Brookes, who lies fifth in the riders’ championship.

“I did have thoughts that I maybe should just quit the British Superbikes but that would have not been the way I do things.

“Whether I am in the garage at home messing around with a bike or out training, I always make sure it gets done properly.

“I am not the sort of guy who would start building a bike and then six months later it’s still in bits in the corner of the garage and it is the same with the BSB.

“I’ve obviously had a tough time and made some mistakes but I want to prove to people that I am not the rider people think I am.”

Questions have been raised in pit lane about Brookes’ riding style after two high-profile crashes this season.

But Brookes insists he will use the final three race weekends of the season once he returns to the grid to restore his image in the paddock.

“I want to stay to get the British public to realise that the man the British public think I am, is not me,” he added.

“I have heard people say that Josh Brookes is really arrogant and that’s just not me at all.

“I feel like I have got unfinished business in the BSB after this season so I don’t want to leave.

“For me personally I’d like to finish what I have started.”

  • British Eurosport 2 has live coverage from every round of the 2009 British Superbike Championship. See the action on Sky channel 411 or Virgin Media channel 525. Next races at Brands Hatch today and tomorrow. For updates head to uk.eurosport.yahoo.com