As the teams make their final preparations for the Bennetts UK Round of the 2008 HANNspree FIM Superbike World Championship at the iconic Brands Hatch circuit on the outskirts of London, all the media interest has been focused on the traditional pre-race press conference at the MotorSport Vision centre inside the circuit. The riders in attendance were Max Neukirchner, Carlos Checa, Noriyuki Haga, Max Biaggi, Regis Laconi from Superbike, Andrew Pitt, Jonathan Rea, Craig Jones from Supersport plus SBK wild-card Tom Sykes. On this occasion, the top contenders had to fend off a series of tricky questions from guest-star host, double WSBK champion and Bennetts testimonial James Toseland. Carlos Checa (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda): “It’s a particular track and very special, but everything is possible. I’m still a little tired from the race in Japan but am looking forward to the weekend. The last races were not so good for us, but we have found some solutions and hopefully we can be back fighting for the top positions.” Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha Motor Italia WSB): “Here is one of my best tracks. This year I try to do my best and push for the wins, but Brno was completely lost for the points and now I have an opportunity to catch up with the top guys in these next few races.” Max Biaggi (Sterilgarda Go Eleven Ducati): “Brno was not too bad and I was happy with the results. Now we’re here at Brands, it looks not so easy for us, but me and my team will try our best. This track is up and down and bumpy, but I learnt quite quick last year to get onto the podium so I try to do the same this year.” Max Neukirchner (Alstare Suzuki): “Two weeks ago in Brno I think all the Suzuki guys had a lot of problems because we didn’t find the right set-up. I like Brands Hatch, last year I was twice in the top 10 with a private team, so hopefully I can come a little bit closer to Troy in the standings this year. The bike is really strong everywhere, the problem is to find the right set-up on this bumpy circuit, hopefully we can find the right way on Friday.” Regis Laconi (Kawasaki PSG-1 Corse): “The beginning of the season was difficult for us because everything arrived so late. Now the bike is already in a much better condition, but we had a few problems with the electronics and chassis at Brno. I hope for sure to have a better result at Brands Hatch because I like so much this track and I think the bike will go well here.” Tom Sykes (Rizla Suzuki): “Coming here this weekend, it’s going to be a very steep learning-curve. There are a few things I need to get my head round like Superpole, so I just need to take it easy and sit back and enjoy the weekend and treat it as a normal race meeting and see what happens.”