The Rizla Suzuki team of Tom Sykes and Atsushi Watanabe can’t wait to start racing this weekend at the opening round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch in Kent.
Round one of the 12-round championship will be unleashed on the 2.301 miles GP circuit, which is a firm rider’s favourite. The natural amphitheatre which embraces Brands Hatch proves superb viewing for spectators and a challenging track for the riders.
With the blind apex of Paddock Hill, the tight turn of Druids and the hard braking of Graham Hill bend it is a circuit which is difficult to master. Watanabe, two times Japanese Champion will be doing his level best to learn the full GP circuit for his UK race debut.
“I did track day on Indy circuit with John Reynolds, he help me learn circuit,” explained Watanabe. “I’m looking forward to racing the full GP track, everyone say it is tough to learn, I hope I learn fast!”
2007’s Rookie of the Year, Sykes can’t wait to get on track. He said: “I’m really looking forward to it and I must say it has come round so fast. With all our pre-season testing I feel we are well prepared and I can’t wait to start racing. I just hope we get better weather than at the Snetterton test.”
Team Manger Jack Valentine said: “I’m looking forward to it. We have done our testing and it went well, our riders are ready and I’m happy with everything at the moment. We haven’t seen the opposition yet as we haven’t tested at a UK track but there is no reason why we can’t run at the front. Tom should be up there immediately and Atsushi won’t take long until he is on the pace if the promise he showed in testing continues. Let’s hope for some good weather and exciting racing.”
Racing gets under way on Sunday 6th April with race one at 13:45 and race two at 16:30. Live race day coverage can be seen on Eurosport 2 at 13:15 – 17:15, with highlights at 20:30-22:00.
Coverage is repeated on Thursday 10th April on Eurosport 2 19:30 – 20:30. Channel 4 coverage starts on Tuesday 10th April at 01:10 – 02:05, with the same programme available on Channel 4's 1 hour time-shifted and free-to-air service; C4+1.
Or for Channel 4's Video-On-Demand service, visit
www.channel4.com/4od.
