Brookes, Kiyonari to race Silverstone WSBK

HM Plant Honda BSB riders Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari will return to World Superbike action after being granted wild-card rides for the Silverstone round on August 1.

Kiyonari won three WSBK races before returning to BSB this season, while Brookes has 31 WSBK starts to his credit, mainly on privateer machinery.

Former Ten Kate rider Kiyonari hasn't raced in WSBK since the end of last season, while Brookes rode in the Phillip Island WSBK round at the start of this year for Echo Honda.

Brookes is currently second in the 2010 BSB championship, with Kiyonari eighth.

But before the WSBK return, Brookes will get his first taste of 2010 Silverstone action when he rides Steve Plater's HM Plant Honda Superstock machine in the British MotoGP support class this weekend.

"It has been a long few weeks since the last round of BSB at Cadwell Park and I have really missed being out on the track, so this weekend can't come soon enough for me," he said.

"I have been keeping myself sharp with motocross and then had a trip to the TT to support the boys, but there is nothing like being out on the track, so now I am feeling really up for it.

"It is obviously a shame for Steve [Plater] as he had such a good start to the season, but I know how good the Honda CBR1000RR is, so there is no reason why we shouldn't be able to fight for the wins this weekend.

"I'm really fired up for taking part in the World Superbike event as well and it will be great to also have Kiyo racing there too so we're a full team."

"The Superstock bike has just come back from the Isle of Man TT where it did over 30 laps of the famous course in the hands of Michael Rutter, so it is all change again as we return to a short circuit from the roads.," added Brookes' BSB crew chief Chris Pike.

"Steve [Plater] obviously had a fantastic start to his season and Josh definitely wants to emulate that this weekend. There is a really strong line up with the Superstock regulars mixed with a few BSB riders so everyone is expecting two very good and exciting races at Silverstone this weekend."

The two National Superstock races take place on Saturday and Sunday 20.