Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire plays host to round ten of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship this weekend (September 12/14th) with it being of specific importance to the local Hydrex Bike Animal Honda Team who are based just a few miles down the road at Guisborough.
And with rider James Ellison fresh from a superb performance at the World Superbike Championship meeting at Donington this past weekend, whereby he claimed a brilliant fourth place finish in the second of the two WSB races, Shaun Muir's team couldn't be better placed going into their 'home' race.
Having sat out the previous BSB round at Cadwell due to a training injury, 27 year Ellison from Kendal in Cumbria dropped a place in the standings and also relinquished his record of scoring in every race so far but with the wrist now healed, he is looking forward to continuing his impressive form this season which has seen him score three podium finishes to stand in seventh place in the championship.
After upholding team honour at Cadwell Park, Guy Martin is also looking forward to Croft after a pair of solid rides at the last round. The 26 year old from Kirmington has been relaxing by, amongst other things, contesting a six-hour mountain bike endurance race in Scotland, and is hoping for a good performance at Croft.
Also in action will be the third member of the Hydrex Bike Animal Honda team in the shape of Langley Mill rider Kieran Clarke who will have his fourth meeting on board the team's Superstock 1000 Honda whereby he'll be looking to add to the points he scored at Oulton Park and Knockhill.
James Ellison:
"I like Croft, although the track is a bit bumpy so it's always a compromise with the suspension settings, the bike will be OK in some areas but not in others, but I suppose it's the same for everyone. It's my local track, so the 'Kendal masses' will be coming to support me and the results at Donington WSB have really boosted my confidence, so I'm up for it!"
Guy Martin:
"Everything went well at Cadwell and I was happy with my results so I'm aiming to carry on the good results at Croft. It's one of the very few tracks that we visit that doesn't have one of these tight, artificial chicanes and it flows quite well so there's no reason I can't be up there. Where there's a will there's a way."
Shaun Muir:
"The World Superbike meeting was a nice bonus but it's in BSB that our main business is and after James missed out at Cadwell, I'm looking for him to bounce back and give us a result at Croft as we have lots of guests going. There's no reason why Guy and Kieran can't be well inside the top ten also so I need them all to put in a good performance all round this weekend."
More Honda Racing information: honda-racing.co.uk
