Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki pairing Shane Byrne and Stuart Easton arrive at Oulton Park this bank holiday weekend handily placed in the top six of the 2012 MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship and with three races around the undulating Cheshire venue, they are hoping to continue where they left off at the previous round.
Whereas Brands Hatch didn't reap the rewards they were hoping for in the opening race, double BSB champion Byrne, from Sittingbourne, and Hawick's former British Supersport champion Easton bounced back with a superb performance at Thruxton which saw Shakey climb the podium as Easton followed him home in fourth place.
The weather forced the second Brands Hatch race to be postponed so in addition to the regular two BSB races on bank holiday Monday, there will be an additional one at Oulton Park on the Sunday and with the three races held so far producing three different winners, both Byrne and Easton will be looking to add their names to the list.
Both riders have good form at Oulton Park with Easton taking victories in 2009 and 2010, as well as being on the podium twice at this meeting last year prior to his season-ending crash at the North West 200. Byrne, meanwhile, took double wins in his championship winning years and along with Easton, rates it as one of his favourite tracks.
Also arriving at Oulton Park in magnificent form is the team's Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship star, Keith Farmer, whereby the Clogher, Northern Ireland rider is looking to build on his two victories in the opening two rounds. The Superstock 600 champion from last season won the only race to be held at Oulton Park last year so will be hoping to maintain his 100% record on the Kawasaki ZX-10R.
In addition to the team's BSB activities the PBM UK MotoGP team will be in action at Estoril where Cumbrian James Ellison contests round three of the MotoGP World Championship aboard a CRT-specification Aprilia ART. Ellison was unfortunate to retire when in the points last weekend in Jerez so will be hoping to make amends at the Portuguese track.
Shane Byrne:
"I'm looking forward to going racing again as these past two weeks have driven me mad and I can't find any more DIY to do! I like Oulton Park and it's important this weekend as we have three races and it's also the team's home race so we need a good set of results. I'd say the podium has my name all over it so hopefully it will be the top step a couple of times at least."
Stuart Easton:
"I like all the tracks in the series but Oulton Park is one of my favourites as it is proper old school and has a bit of everything. I've had some reasonable success in recent times so I need to continue those sorts of results and get as many points as we can. There are three races this weekend and I want to be spraying some champagne for sure!"
Keith Farmer:
"This will be only the second time I'll have raced at Oulton Park but I don't see that being a problem. The two races so far have gone to plan but by winning them both and leading the championship, I'm now the target so I have to deal with that pressure and stay consistent."
Paul Bird:
"Oulton Park arrives at a good time for us and I think we can make a big impression this weekend. It's traditionally been a big meeting for the team in the past and this weekend will be no different with lots of friends, family and sponsors there. Shakey and Stuart always go well at Oulton and Keith is just on fire this season so we are feeling very confident."
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