KENDAL bike ace James Ellison roars back into action this weekend as the British Superbike Championships get underway at Brands Hatch in Kent.
Ellison insists he has ‘unfinished business’ now that his back at the Milwaukee Yamaha team for a third time, and he is going all out for winning the title this year.
He returns to BSB after two years competing at Moto GP and World Supersport Championship level, and he is relishing the technical changes that have taken place for this year.
With no traction control allowed, Ellison says he is looking forward to getting back to basics, although he would have liked more time to test his new bike before hitting the track for the first races of the year this weekend.
“I’m pretty excited to be back and it’s a case of unfinished business from last time I was in BSB,” said Ellison.
“I’ve not done as many miles on the bike as I would have liked but we don’t want to start sat down - we need to be right at the sharp end from the beginning.”
Ellison added that he and his team need to be in the top six at the very least going into the final three rounds of the championship.
Luck has played its cruel part against Ellison in his previous forays into BSB. He finished second in 2009 before breaking his finger in 2010 - a year he felt was the perfect opportunity for him to taste British Superbiking glory.
But Ellison is back to give it another shot, and he thanked his fans for sticking with him.
“It really does make a difference when everyone is behind you and the plan is to win it this year. This team really has a soft spot in my heart and I think we have a real shot at winning the championship this year - I wouldn’t put my leathers on if I didn’t think we could win it.”
After Brands Hatch this weekend comes one of Ellison’s favourite tracks of the season in the shape of Thruxton in Hampshire.
A three-week break then ensues before the Oulton Park event over the May Bank Holiday on May 4, 5 and 6.
Fixtures this season:
April 5, 6, 7 - Brands Hatch Indy (Kent)
April 12, 13, 14 - Thruxton (Hampshire)
May 4, 5, 6 - Oulton Park (Cheshire)
June 14, 15, 16 - Knockhill (Fife)
July 5, 6, 7 - Snetterton 300 (Norfolk)
July 19, 20, 21 - Brands Hatch GP (Kent)
August 9, 10, 11 - Oulton Park (triple header) (Cheshire)
August 24, 25, 26 - Cadwell Park (Lincolnshire)
September 6, 7, 8 - Donington Park GP (Leicestershire)
September 20, 21, 22 - Assen (The Netherlands)
October 4, 5, 6 - Silverstone GP (Northamptonshire)
October 18, 19, 20 - Brands Hatch GP (triple header) (Kent)
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel