Just four points decided the outcome of the 1996 British Superbike Championship as Niall Mackenzie went on to celebrate his first title crown after the battle went down to the wire at Donington Park against his Cadbury Boost teammate Jamie Whitham.

25 years on after the Cadbury Boost Yamaha teammates went head-to-head for the title at the same circuit in 1996, the McAMS Yamaha pairing head into today’s raceday (Sunday) at the penultimate round also equal on points.

The Cadbury Boost Yamaha paring frequently traded blows and shared the podium 16 times during their intense title battle, and the McAMS Yamaha line-up are currently locking out the leading two positions in the 2021 standings.

After 18 races, Mackenzie and Whitham went into the title-deciding races at Donington Park equal on points, sharing a win apiece with Mackenzie following his teammate home in the last race of the season to have the edge.

Mackenzie was crowned champion with a total of 19 podium finishes, including five wins against Whitham’s tally of 16 podiums and nine wins.

The 2021 championship fight features the Mackenzie name once again as Niall’s son Tarran bids to emulate the success of his father 25 years later, currently delivering his strongest performance to date. He goes up against his Australian teammate, who finished runner-up in last year's title battle.

Reflecting on their incredible title battle 25 years later, Mackenzie and Whitham shared their memories of an intense final round:

Niall Mackenzie

“It was an interesting year, but what was hard, was that James and me just became better mates as the year went on! We got on really well and we went to the last round at Donington Park on equal points and it was still difficult to dislike each other! He has been quoted before as saying that he had one of these punch dummy things and he just punched the hell out of that for a weekend!

“We went into the last races feeling nervous, excited, just went into it thinking I had to do what I normally had done, but I have to say because it was at Donington, and not Mallory Park for example, that I was more confident. It would have been hard to beat him there, but I was confident that I could give him a good run at Donington.

“I won the first one and then did what I needed in the second one to follow him home so it was over before I knew it really. It had built up all year, but if I hadn’t won I think I would have been devastated. I guess like how I remember Hopper was when he lost out to Tommy Hill in 2011. But James was the opposite; he played with his band that night and we had the best party ever and had a great night and I really admired him for that.

“He got off to a bad start at the first round but then I got a bit of a grip and kept bringing it home and doing my thing as he played catch up. He won twice as many races so he soon caught up!

“We had a weird race at Brands Hatch before the final round; I think it was wet from memory and we both didn’t get on the podium and we came walking back down the pitlane and that was when we realised we were on equal points before the final round. And that could easily happen again this year, when the weather plays a part. We expected to be racing each other and neither of us ended up on the podium! As with BSB, you never know what will happen until you get there!

“Following him over the line in second place for the final race of the year has to be the best memory and the feeling of relief at winning. You are consumed by it 24/7. At the time I didn’t realise I was, but I certainly was. I knew what I needed to do and knew it was in the bag, but that said, if I had to win the race I probably would have let the brakes off or something as I would have definitely had to have a go whether it worked or not I don’t know and he knows it too! It had been so nip and tuck all year, I so wanted to win!”

Jamie Whitham

“It was a really good year; it had been a battle between myself and my teammate Niall and also the likes of Terry Rymer, who also seemed to have his moments and be really quick at times. But in the end the season boiled down to me and Niall, he won five races and I won nine, but he was more consistent. I had one crash and one breakdown and he finished every single race.

“We went to the last round tied on points and I couldn’t not like him! I liked him as a person and we didn’t hate each other to try and beat one another, it was a really good year. We went into Donington and I thought if we ended up equal on points after the two races then I would win on countback as I had won more races.

“So I felt that I had a bit of an advantage, but I am sure he thought the same for whatever reason! Then it was a weird one; I remember MCN wanting us to do some pictures of us falling out like boxers before a match and it took ages as we kept giggling! 

“I always felt if I couldn’t win it, then I wouldn’t mind him winning. That wasn’t to say I wasn’t going to try and I did try – hard but I chose the wrong tyre in race one and finished third as Niall won, then I won the last race and Niall was second, so he won the title in the end.

“I was obviously disappointed but it was a team one-two and my first year back after chemotherapy from cancer so I was happy to have my pace back and it was a good do! I would love to say we didn’t speak to each other for ages after but we had a big bash that night with the band and got drunk, had a good time and it was a good evening!”

Team Manager Rob McElnea

“It’s the 25th anniversary of BSB this year and I can’t believe it! That season in 1996 was an amazing year and we had a total dream team. It was a chance to put Niall Mackenzie and James Whitham together and there were a few hurdles to get over at the start I have to admit!

“Niall wasn’t too keen coming back from GPs and the Yamaha up until that year hadn’t been the strongest bike so I had to convince him on that, but when he came over to Scunny and saw it he was sold. The other hurdle was trying to convince Yamaha UK that this bald headed guy from Huddersfield would be fit enough. But we got over both of those hurdles and what a fantastic year and everyone got on so well. I mean you can’t not get on with Niall and James in the team, but even everyone in the staff – it was just a rollercoaster of a year.

“Until the last race, and it was probably always going to go that way as both of the guys had such a good year and we went into the last round with them both equal on points. Can you imagine? Both of my best buddies in the series, I had raced with them and known them for years, one was going to come away as the winner of the championship and the other as runner-up, so either way it was going to be a brilliant weekend for the team and one to look forward to but what a rollercoaster.

“It was a fantastic part of the history of the championship and I feel like we were a very big part of the new BSB and we enjoyed such a good time of it.

“Steve Rodgers now has this to look forward to and another Mackenzie in the fray, Taz and Jason have had a fantastic year, the bike looks brilliant, the team has been brilliant and the team to beat all year. Let’s hope they can stay fit and healthy to the last round. Let’s hope they can put a show on like that and I will be hiding behind the settee again – good luck everybody!”

Archive image courtesy of MCN Sport