Rizla Suzuki racer Cal Crutchlow has a final chance to record a first and much sought after podium finish in his maiden Superbike season when the British Championship visits Brands Hatch in Kent for the 2008 finale this Sunday. “I have been getting ever closer to the podium since August,” explained Cal, 21, from Coventry. “I am so close to tasting champagne that it is all that I think about; I want it and think it would be a fitting finish to my first Superbike season. “My Rizla Suzuki GSX-R1000 is in excellent shape and has hardly altered for the last few rounds, we have hit upon a setting that works and that has given me great confidence. Rizla Suzuki and my technical crew deserve a podium and I will be giving it my all to achieve it for them.” Chris ‘Stalker’ Walker cites Brands Hatch as one of his favourite tracks and after putting on an incredibly brave performance at the GP version of the circuit earlier this year, the 35-year-old Nottingham based rider is ready to return and challenge at the front. Stalker said: “I cannot believe the season is coming to an end this weekend. I have scored a couple of podiums this year and want to finish with a flourish. Brands Hatch is superb circuit which rewards bravery and skill so I am hoping it will be good to me. “At the last round at Donington Park we found a good setting on my Rizla Suzuki and that’s what we’ll start with this weekend. I would love to reward my team and the Stalker fans with some more champagne and one thing you can count upon is my total commitment, there will not be anyone riding harder than me on Sunday.” Rizla Suzuki Team Manager Simon Buckmaster is eager to finish the season on a high after recent promising performances. He said: “Cal and Chris have worked hard all year developing the GSX-R1000 into what is a superb Superbike. They deserve to be competing for the podium this weekend and the whole team will be doing all it can to help them.” Superbike racing starts at noon on the short and exciting 1.22-mile long Indy circuit which is as close to a stadium event you can get in racing. More, from a press release issued by Bennett’s British Superbike Championship Press Office: The 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship comes to an end this weekend with what promises to be a thrilling three-way showdown. HM Plant Honda team-mates Ryuichi Kiyonari and Jonathan Rea will battle it out with Leon Haslam at the season finale for the coveted title. Defending champion Kiyonari enters Brands Hatch with a 37-point advantage over Rea, Airwaves Ducati rider Leon Haslam is just four points further down. With a possible 50 points left up for grabs and three main contenders for the title, the level of competition entering round 13 will be far greater than any this season. Kiyonari has won nine races so far this season, compared with the Ulsterman Rea’s five. Both have been confirmed as riders for Hannspree Ten Kate Honda in 2008 with Kiyonari securing a World Superbike ride and Rea moving to World Supersport. Airwaves Ducati’s Haslam’s future still unconfirmed he has everything to fight for. He had a successful round at Donington Park, where he came away with the first double win of his career in the Superbike championship. Haslam gained the maximum 50 points putting him 41 points behind the leader Kiyonari. The final round is set to have fans on the edge of their seats. The action from the 2007 Bennetts British Superbike Championship final can be watched live at Brands Hatch on Sunday 14 October or on ITV1. “This has been a great season and it has been a pleasure to be part of it” says Bennetts Associate Director, Marketing Mark Fells. “We’re anticipating a highly competitive final and an exciting end to the season.” 2007 Standings (after round 12) British Superbike Championship 1. Ryuichi KIYONARI 404; 2= Jonathan REA 367; 3=. Leon HASLAM 363; 4= Gregoria LAVILLA 318; 5= Shane BYRNE 283. 6= Tom SYKES 270; 7= Chris WALKER 206; 8= Leon CAMIER 199; 9= Tommy HILL 135; 10= Cal CRUTCHLOW 125