Gregorio Lavilla clinched the 2005 Bennetts British Superbike crown at
Brands Hatch - and the Airwaves Ducati rider is aiming to hit double top when he begins his title defence at the same circuit on Sunday.
The Spaniard knows that he faces a tough challenge to defend his number 1 plate, but is well prepared having spent hours testing and fine tuning his all-new Ducati to ensure that nothing is left to chance as he takes to the tight, twisty but very fast Indy circuit.
Lavilla began his title campaign on that short 1.2262 mile track last March, quickly learning it, and packing the points with second and third placings as Ryuichi Kiyonari, riding the HM Plant Honda set a scorching pace, taking both race victories.
The exciting Japanese rider is back for more, and, in his third term in the British championship is determined to take the title - he won more races that anyone else last season, but lacked consistency. Kiyonari knows what is expected of him, and like Lavilla has enjoyed speedy pre-season testing and development work.
They head a packed 36 rider starting line-up which again features factory backed teams from five of the world’s leading manufacturers – that promises intense front-running duelling for supremacy.
Michael Rutter, third in the title stakes last season, has switched Honda camps - after being dropped from the factory team, he now heads up the Stobart Motorsport challenge for honours. The Leicestershire based rider is keen to prove a point, having led the chase for the crown, prior to be injured at the crucial time.
Karl Harris, three times the winner of the British Supersport title, has taken over Rutter as team-mate to Kiyonari, and is keen to maximise the opportunity of riding a fully supported HRC machine. He will need to be at his best, as Leon Haslam, aboard the second Airwaves Ducati, looks certain to be a real contender for honours.
The young Derbyshire rider has been consistently quick in testing, and is keen to build on his Brands experiences of last year - he took pole for the opener, and then won the final race of the season. Now brimming with confidence, Haslam is bidding for the title, nothing less.
That could prove difficult. The returning force of Shane Byrne, the title winner of 2003, from two years in
MotoGP, poses severe questions for everyone. He will be riding for Rizla Suzuki together with James Haydon.
Tommy Hill continues with Virgin Mobile Yamaha, and has the youthful duo of Billy McConnell and Kieran Clarke as his teamsters - former Virgin rider Sean Emmett having switched to an Ipone Kawasaki. Steve Plater rides for Dienza Ducati, while Gary Mason and Aussie Glen Richards are aboard the Hydrex Hondas. Dean Thomas remains with Hawk Kawasaki, but is joined by Australian Superbike Champion Craig Coxhell and rising star Peter Hickman. Vivaldi have switched to Suzuki power for the second season in the top class, and will be fielding three bikes for Scott Smart, Ben Wilson and Ollie Bridewell, while Jon Kirkham rides the Jentin Racing entered Suzuki.
James Buckingham, the defending British Superbike Cup champion, continues aboard his Quay Garage Suzuki, but is promised a tough time in an increasingly strong entry. Chris Martin and Marty Nutt made life difficult for him last season, and now Zak Barry, Craig Sproston, Damien Haywood, Howie Mainwaring, Kenny Everest and Michael Howarth are adding to the strength in depth.
But, before the races begin, for all of the Superbike riders there will be an earlier competition - the Audi Performance Award, won last year by Ryuichi Kiyonari, is based on speed in qualifying. Points are awarded to the top eight racers, and for the consistently fastest rider at the end of the season, the prize will be a £50,000 Audi S4 Special edition Cabriolet.
Around the two Bennetts British Superbike Championship races at Brands there will be the opening rounds of the British Supersport Championship, the Metzeler Racetec National Superstock Championship and Cup, the British 125GP Championship and the Virgin Mobile Cup.
