Bennetts BSB is go, go, go!
Tension is mounting in the 2008 Bennetts British Superbike
Championship paddock ahead of the opening round of the series,
which takes place at Thruxton this weekend. Teams and riders
had initially been prepared for the season opener at Brands
Hatch on 4-6 April, but were disappointed when heavy snowfall
on race day resulted in the abandonment of all track activity.
The Brands Hatch event - which traditionally kick-starts
the BSB season - has been rescheduled for 10-11 May, meaning
that the first round officially takes place at the Thruxton
airfield venue in Hampshire on Sunday. Although weather forecasts
already look unpredictable for the weekend ahead, riders are
preparing for the event with renewed optimism.
The 2008 Bennetts British Superbike series welcomes some
newcomers as well some familiar faces to the paddock this
weekend. British favourites Leon Haslam (HM Plant Honda Racing),
Leon Camier and Shane Byrne (both Airwaves Ducati) return
to the grid looking for victory this season. However, they
can expect a tough time from the likes of Tom Sykes (Rizla
Suzuki), who impressed in 2007, and his team-mate and Japanese
Superbike Champion Atsushi Watanabe.
Other familiar faces to return to the premier domestic Superbike
championship this weekend include Sheffield's Karl Harris,
who rides for Rob McElnea's new-look Yamaha outfit, and Michael
Rutter who will be racing under the guise of North West 200
Ducati.
In addition, all eyes will be on Pirelli, who take over as
the control tyre supplier to the Bennetts British Superbike
and Supersport classes for the next three years. It's hoped
that the appointment of a single tyre supplier to the series
will increase competitiveness between factory and privateer
riders across the grid.
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