BSB TITLE CONTENDERS GUNNING FOR BRANDS HATCH GLORY The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to the legendary Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this weekend (5-7 August) for a triple-header race event as the battle for the crown intensifies with the added pressure of wildcard entries from the Kawasaki World Superbike Championship team. Local hero Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne leads the title race for HM Plant Honda but the former double champion knows that he will come under increased pressure at the Kent circuit as his rivals line up to steal the advantage. He will also face the extra challenge from his world championship rivals as the experienced Kawasaki World Superbike pairing of Broc Parkes and Joan Lascorz are preparing to fight for victories after the team scored a winning double last year. American John Hopkins missed out on victory at the last round at Oulton Park but the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki rider is determined to win a maiden BSB crown this season. He returns to Brands Hatch following the World Superbike Championship round last weekend and he races in BSB ahead of a wildcard appearance at the MotoGP round at Brno the following weekend. Swan Yamaha’s Tommy Hill is also sure to be in contention after winning last time out at Oulton Park and the Lingfield rider won’t settle for anything less than victory as he bids to close the points deficit to his leading rivals Byrne and Hopkins. The main contenders are fighting for a top six place in the overall standings so they can fight for the title in the end of season Showdown, held over the final three rounds to decide the eventual champion. However there are some big names that are still outside the top six ahead of this weekend and with just 23 points between sixth and tenth place those currently missing the cut including Jon Kirkham, Gary Mason, Peter Hickman and Michael Rutter will need to be pushing hard this weekend. Byrne said: “I am obviously looking forward to Brands Hatch as it is my home round and I do have such good memories from there. I desperately want to win this weekend and I know we have the Kawasaki World Superbike team also racing, but that won’t change my goal and the races are going to be ones to watch! We won on the Indy circuit at the opening round but you can’t really compare the two, all I know is that I need to concentrate solely on winning again as we haven’t in the past rounds. I know we have had the pace but it just hasn’t worked out, but this weekend will be so important for the championship with three races and we will be pushing hard to make sure we stay ahead at Brands Hatch.” Hopkins said: “I love the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit and I was fortunate enough to do some laps there last week as before that I had only ridden the MotoGP Suzuki around for some demonstration laps back in 2006. Brands Hatch is so important to the championship, with the round being three races and then the final round which will be the title decider also on the Grand Prix circuit later in the year. I can definitely see myself going quick there for the race and I am feeling confident that we can get the Samsung Crescent Racing Suzuki back on the podium. I will be doing everything possible to win as always and we want to score as many top three finishes as possible for the championship. The standings are closer now after Oulton Park so I will be giving it my all this weekend that’s for sure.” Hill said: “It’s great to be heading back to Brands Hatch again and as it’s my local circuit I always get great support there. I think we are all raring to go now after having the second race at Oulton Park postponed due to the weather so we want to get back out even more! It is getting close to the Showdown now but with three races we can’t settle for points, we need the wins and podiums to remain in the top six and wrack up those podium credits as they are so important. We need to push hard and we need three good races; we won on the Indy circuit earlier in the year so I won’t be aiming for anything less for Swan Yamaha.” Parkes said: “I am pumped about racing this weekend with the Kawasaki team and it will be great working with all of the crew again. I haven’t ridden a Superbike for a while where I have been racing in the World Supersport Championship so I need to adapt again quickly but the Kawasaki has seen some big improvements since I last rode it so I am looking forward to it. The depth of field in BSB has definitely increased and it is going to be tougher than before I think; you can see how strong the competition is from what John Hopkins did last weekend as a wildcard at Silverstone. It is a great opportunity for me to race again at Brands Hatch and I need to thank Paul Bird and everyone at Kawasaki.” To book advance tickets visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call 0843 453 9000. For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com