BSB’s second 2012 visit to Brands Hatch this weekend

The British Superbike series visits the Brands Hatch GP circuit this weekend, supported by Pirelli’s Diablo Superbike tyres. Series leader Tommy Hill returns from Oulton Park, where he won all three races, and a Japanese test for the legendary Suzuka Eight Hour endurance race. At last season’s Brands Hatch GP run, Hill was joined on the podium by Shane Byrne and Josh Brookes, and these are the three riders leading the BSB Championship this year, with a comfortable gap between them and fourth placed Michael Laverty. This seventh round is the second visit to the wooded Kent circuit but the first to the full GP format.

After dropping down the fearsome Paddock Hill bend, riders negotiate the ultra-tight Druids hairpin, tricky downhill Graeme Hill Bend before the tarmac opens up onto the fast and fearsome corners of the long circuit Hawthorn, Westfield, Dingle Dell and finally Clearways as the riders emerge from the forest to the thronging crowds of the amphitheatre-like start finish straight. Riders need to beware the three left-handed bends as they are outnumbered 2:1 by right-handed corners, and ensuring their tyres are up to temperature will be a necessity before attacking.

Pirelli racing manager Jason Griffiths commented on the racing ahead: “Brands Hatch GP circuit is a real ‘riders’ track and local racers Tommy and Shane are so experienced around here. Last year saw a mixed conditions race with almost every combination of tyres being used and different riders coming into their own as the track dried out. We look forward to the weekend with interest to see which rider maximises track time and conditions to the best effect.”