Brands gets set for Superbikes (From News Shopper)

Brands gets set for Superbikes

12:44pm Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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THE Bennetts British Superbike (BSB) Championship season kicks off at Brands Hatch this weekend for the much-anticipated opening round.

Leon Haslam will be making his debut for the HM Plant Honda team on board the new Fireblade, having replaced departed double BSB champion Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Former British Supersport champion Cal Crutchlow teams up with the Pocket Rocket on the other side of the garage and is fired up for the new challenge.

Haslam said: "I am really looking forward to Brands Hatch. We have done several days of testing in Spain and now I want to get on with racing.

"We still have some development to do, but I am happy with the package.

"At Brands we will be able to see where everybody is at. We can stop the talking and see what happens on the track.

"There is no more pressure on me than in previous seasons.

"I want to win, I have the package to do it and I won't settle for anything less than the championship title."

Airwaves Ducati will be looking for a debut BSB win for the new Ducati 1098R.

The Ashford-based team have missed out on the title for the past two seasons, but with 2003 champion Shane Byrne and Leon Camier, they will be in a strong position to win back the crown.

Camier said: "I can't wait until the weekend. I know that I have a strong chance of winning the championship for Airwaves Ducati this year and I want to start the season as I mean to go on with a double win at my home circuit.

"At the opening round last year I proved I could run at the front and this was in my rookie season.

"I know the competition is going to be tough, but I am ready for the challenge."

A new Japanese star lines up on the grid for 2008 as Atsushi Watanabe joins the Rizla Suzuki squad alongside last seasons rookie of the year Tom Sykes.

Watanabe will be looking to repeat the success of his fellow countryman Kiyonari.

He said: "I'm very excited about Brands Hatch as I did a track day there on the Indy circuit recently.

"The Indy track is easy to learn, but I need to learn the full Grand Prix track.

"Many Japanese riders say Brands Hatch is difficult and I will find out very soon."

The new Bennetts British Superbike Championship season begins on the famous Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit on Sunday.

Tickets cost from £22 for adults with free entry for children aged 12 and under.

For more information, visit brandshatch.co.uk or call 0870 950 9000.

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