Brands Hatch: Team Alstare Suzuki preview

Troy and Yukio ready for the battle of Brands Hatch.

Team Alstare Suzuki Corona Extra riders Troy Corser and Yukio Kagayama are looking forward to the eighth round of the championship at Brands Hatch on 7th August and have podiums in their sights. The 4.221 kilometre circuit is well-known to both of them and is also one that they count amongst their favourites.

The twisty, undulating circuit is a regular on the calendar and is one of the few tracks where the spectators are close enough to feel part of the action! Troy had one of his best results on the Petronas FP1 last year, fifth in race one, but crashed in race two after being hit by another rider. Yukio did not take part in the WSBK round, last year, but raced there in the British Superbike Championship, taking a fourth and and a third.

Troy
Brands Hatch is a great circuit and the atmosphere there is usually tremendous. It is one of the few tracks where we can actually feel the presence of the spectators, because they are very close to the action. It is an 'old style' circuit and very demanding because there are some blind approaches and changes of camber and it is easy to get caught out if you are not careful. I like the track a lot and I will be going into the event completely relaxed on all fronts. I am particularly happy that Sam gave birth last week (to a beautiful baby girl) because at one time it might have happened during the Brands Hatch weekend! That might have caused me a little less then 100% focus, but now I don't have to worry about that at all. It was good to get back to winning ways in Brno and I can't see any reason why I will not be on the podium at Brands Hatch - it's what I'll be chasing for sure.

Yukio
I am happy to be going to Brands Hatch - a circuit I know and like - after two circuits I did not know. Because I know Brands Hatch, I can be a bit more relaxed and just concentrate on getting a good set-up early on in practice. Brands is not an easy circuit, but it is fun to ride. I think it is a circuit that suits my style and so I will be trying my best to end my run of bad luck and get a podium or two. Also, I will have many British fans there, so I am determined to do well and chase that second place in the championship.

-tas-