HM Plant Honda return to domestic action this weekend at the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit for the eighth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship as Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari bid for the lead in the overall standings.

The team took a hat trick of victories last time out at Snetterton, with Josh scoring the double and Kiyo winning the final race to become the rider with the most race wins in BSB history. The team had a successful test at Silverstone during the World Superbike Championship round last weekend and are now ready to carry the momentum through to this weekend’s triple-header.

In the Metzeler National Superstock 1000 Championship Bryan Staring will join the team for the second consecutive round, replacing Steve Plater who is expected to make his return at Cadwell Park on the August Bank Holiday weekend.

Josh said:

“I’m really looking forward to Brands Hatch as it has been a while since I last raced on the Grand Prix track; it was back in 2008 when I was in World Supersport and I was disappointed that I had to miss it last year. I have good feelings of the circuit and I think that puts you in a good position ahead of the race. I think what we have learnt from Snetterton and the World Superbike Championship round at Silverstone gives us a good starting point and then we will just work hard, but we should be at the sharp end from the off. We had a good round at Snetterton and I think we will carry that through to this weekend. I want to be winning as I missed out on all three at Snetterton, so hopefully we can put that right at Brands Hatch.”

Kiyo said:

“I am looking forward to racing in BSB again after the Suzuka Eight Hour and World Superbike races. I have had good results at Brands Hatch in the past, so hopefully I can have more this weekend and I can score some good points in the three races. I am trying to win for sure as I want to repeat the good weekend we had at Snetterton. We will focus on the settings and what we have learnt and improved on over the past few rounds and I think then we will challenge in the races. It is important for the championship that we have three good races as we need to get on the podium as many times as possible before the Showdown. I know what we need to do so I will be working hard with the team to get the results for the championship.”

Bryan said:

“I want to thank the HM Plant Honda team for giving me another chance to ride with them this weekend and having done some laps at the track with Steve Plater I can’t wait. I have the Snetterton round under my belt so I have more of an idea of what to expect so hopefully I can repay them for the faith they have showed in me.”

Team Manager Havier Beltran concluded:

“The HM Plant Honda team are looking for something of a repeat performance this weekend after winning all three races at Snetterton. The Brands Hatch round is always one of the highlights on the calendar, so we need another strong show from both riders as the championship is reaching a critical point now where every point and podiums could make the difference. For Bryan he is looking to make amends for missing out at Snetterton, so the whole team is feeling motivated and ready for the weekend.”