The JG Speedfit Kawasaki team are looking to make the Brands Hatch GP round of British Superbikes a successful one, and to return back to their winning ways.
Luke Mossey is currently leading the championship and has performed well at Brands in the past, as he secured his first Superpole at the famous track and also took his first ever win here which he translated into a double victory earlier on this year.
Mossey will be looking to return to top form, as a crash last time out at Snetterton during the warm up session seriously hampered his weekend. He was forced to retire from race one early on due to mechanical issues, but brought home six points for a tenth place finish in race two.
“It’s a great track and round six is always a really popular race with the fans. Last time we were at Brands Hatch I got my first win, which was a double, so I just can’t wait to get back there.” said Mossey.
“It would be amazing to pick up another double podium this weekend, but the main aim is to keep picking up podium points for both races. If we can get a win in the process, then even better.
“My bike is back to what I know now, so that’s great news. I’m testing on Tuesday before heading to Brands Hatch, so I just can’t wait to get back on it. I think it will be the same guys as usual fighting it out at the top, such as Leon and Shakey, and I’m relishing that battle. I will have to dig deep and see what happens.”
Leon Haslam suffered a horrific crash during a free practice session in Knockhill and had to sit out, but was declared fit for Snetterton. Even though he was struggling through injury, he narrowly missed out on a podium place in race one, and crossed the line in eighth in race two. Haslam has enjoyed success around the Kent circuit, with a win and a third place there last year and two third places in April this year.
“I’ve been out in Japan since Snetterton, which was obviously a tough weekend, so it’s been a bit non-stop but thankfully my injury from Knockhill is a little bit better and we’re looking forward to getting back to winning ways.” said Haslam.
“Brands is a Showdown race and I’ve enjoyed some success at the circuit in the past with the Kawasaki so we’re feeling confident we can gain some all-important podium credits.
“We’ve got a test this week so it’s go, go, go, but it’s all good preparation for weekend. This is the part of the season where we need to rack up points and it’s important to do well to get a good set-up for the last few rounds.”
Of course, JG Speedfit don’t just run solo rides. In the British F1 Sidecar Championship, reigning champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood are heading to Brands to help strengthen their third title bid, after grip issues have hampered them so far. They are confident that they have identified the problems, and are ready to take on front runners Tim and Tristan Reeves.
“We have been working around the clock to investigate what the problem is and have fine-tuned the settings of the engine in the hope that we have solved our grip issue.” said Stevens.
“We’ve been making really good lap times throughout the season but, without grip on the back wheel, we have been slowed down in the corners. Luckily Brands Hatch is a bigger circuit so it should be less of an issue there.
“We have worked really hard on our fitness so it’s frustrating to be slowed down by technical issues but we’re hopeful this could be a turning point for us.”
Their team mates Maria Costello and Kirsty Hauxwell took to the sidecar stage this weekend at the Aintree Motorcycle Racing Club and secured a fourth position in their class. They are heading to Brands with confidence at a track neither of them has raced at before.
Costello added, “Kirsty and I had a brilliant weekend at Aintree and gained some valuable wet and dry racing experience as a result. The track is fast and bumpy which I really liked as it reminded me of road racing.
“Coming fourth in our class at the weekend has given us a confidence boost and we’re looking forward to the challenge of racing at the world-famous Brands Hatch at the weekend. Neither of us have raced here before so it will be another first, which we’re really excited about. Hopefully we can do ourselves and the team proud.”
