The Samsung Crescent Racing team is in high spirits as they head to the Brands Hatch GP circuit in Kent for the eighth round of the 2011 British Superbikes Championship this weekend. After two very successful recent tests at Brands Hatch GP and Cadwell Park, followed by a sensational run-out at last weekend’s World Superbikes at Silverstone where John Hopkins took pole position, the team is anticipating another highly-competitive weekend’s racing at what is a crucial point in the BSB season. With two rounds – six races – remaining before the Championship switches to its ‘Showdown’ phase – the final three rounds where only the top six riders can compete for the Championship – John Hopkins is second in the Championship standings. Although Hopkins lies 32 points adrift of the lead rider, only ‘podium points’ carry forward to the Showdown, and significantly here, Hopkins is only one point off the lead. John Kirkham is currently seventh in the Championship, just 20 points outside the top-six – but with a maximum potential of 150 points up for grabs he could overcome this quite readily. Jack Valentine – Team Manager: “The team is really buzzing after the Silverstone weekend. Coming after two very successful tests it was another demonstration of our true potential. And as the BSB Championship gets closer to the final Showdown we’re again contenders for the title. “Hopper’s clearly on top of his game. After qualifying fastest at Silverstone it was always going to be a tall order for him to back that up with a podium finish – the factory-backed WSB Superbikes have an edge on us on top speed – but again he showed his ability to take his bike to the very limit of its capability and bring home the high-scores. “Earlier in testing here at Brands Hatch GP we found within his first half an hour on track Hopper was on BSB race pace. Importantly he says he loves this circuit. He’s having fun out there. For everyone else in the paddock that’s a dangerous mood for Hopper to be in! “JK’s probably suffered a few rookie-blues this season; he’s had his fair share of misfortunes, but he’s still in the fight. JK’s on the edge of the Title Fighters top-six and with six races over the next two rounds he stands a very good chance of netting the points he needs to be in the running for the Showdown. He’ll remember he scored a strong fifth finish at Brands at the 2011 season opener, so he’ll be looking to get back to his top-six form over the weekend. All in all, we’re definitely looking forward to some strong performances this weekend!” More, from another press release issued by Team Suzuki News Service: The Relentless Suzuki by TAS Racing team is preparing itself for a busy weekend at Brands Hatch this weekend with a BSB triple-header on the cards for Josh Brookes. The Australian currently holds sixth place in the Championship standings and coming off the back of consecutive podiums, he will be searching for that elusive first win of the season. In the Supersport class Alastair Seeley will be looking to put the disappointment of Oulton Park behind him, even though he was on the podium for the ninth time this season in third place. The Ulsterman led into the final turn only to get mugged on the line, but still maintains his second place in the table. Josh Brookes: “I want to be getting more podiums this weekend, but ideally I’d like a race win, or two or even three! With Hopper going really strong on the world scene we’ve got to try and beat him now and the rest will look after itself. As much as I was jealous to see him out there, it shows we have a good motorbike in the Suzuki GSX-R1000 and it actually gave me encouragement, showing we are racing in a very strong championship in BSB.” Alastair Seeley: “After missing out on that second race at Oulton I’m really looking forward to Brands. I was strong there last year on the Superbike with a win and I think the circuit will suit both my style and the new GSX-R600. I’ve been busy training this past few weeks; riding Trials and Motocross with Josh and Gordon Crockard so I’m fighting fit and raring to get stuck in.” Philip Neill – Team Manager: “We are all looking forward to Brands and the triple header. The next two meetings will be pivotal in the BSB Championship with another three races at Cadwell Park to decide to Shoot-Out places at the end of August. It will be very interesting next weekend as we practice on Friday on the short track then race on the full track on Saturday, obviously after the qualifying sessions. It’s going to be a very busy day for everyone. The Championship cannot be won this coming weekend but it can certainly be lost, so we intend going in with a game plan to strengthen our position in the top six.”