From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

Round 12 – 2002 MCN British Superbike Championship – Mallory Park – September 15th

HIZZY ON A MISSION AT MALLORY

MonsterMob Ducati’s Steve Hislop goes into this weekend’s penultimate round of the MCN British Superbike Championship at Mallory Park, hoping to clinch the title, which he was so cruelly denied at this stage last season.

The 40 year old Isle of Man based Scot leads the series by 56 points having won three of the last four races and is very much the man on form going into Sunday’s double header whereby two finishes ahead of arch rival Sean Emmett will see him lift his first British title in eight years.

But whilst Hislop’s task looks easy on paper, he is taking nothing for granted especially after his first machine failure in two years when an ignition problem cost him a double victory at Oulton Park last weekend.

“The championship is not won yet and I’ve still got a difficult job to do. The weather could play a part but I know I’m right on the pace and Mallory, whilst not being one of my favourite circuits, has always been good to me. The only time Sean has beaten me in the last eight races was when I broke down at Oulton and got taken out at Knockhill so I’m concentrating on the job in hand and in any case, I’d rather be 56 points in front than 56 behind that’s for sure” said Hislop who set pole position at Mallory last year before taking a win and a third place in the races. A repeat of those results, irregardless of where Emmett were to finish, would see Hislop crowned champion.

Team mate and series leader of the MB4U.com National Supersport Championship, Stuart Easton, is also hoping to wrap up his first road racing crown at Mallory following his win last time out at Oulton Park.

The 18 year old from Hawick needs just a 13th place finish to guarantee him the title after a season of domination aboard the MonsterMob 748cc Ducati which has seen him clinch seven wins and two second places out the twelve races so far this season.

“Even I have to admit I’ll be very unlucky if I don’t win this championship now but I’m only going to celebrate when I’ve crossed the line with those three points in the bag. Strange things happen in racing and I’m undecided as to whether or not go for a safe top ten finish or go for the win. I’ll see how I feel on the day,” said Easton.

Team Boss Paul Bird, on holiday in Dubai prior to the pressure-cooker atmosphere this weekend, remained cautious.

“We’re in the driving seat as we have been all year but until it’s signed, sealed and delivered, we’re all concentrating on what we need to do. But it would be good if we could wrap everything up at Mallory and go to Donington in a relaxed frame of mind but we’ll see what happens” said the Penrith businessman.