Colin Edwards is chasing nothing short of a repeat of his double win of 1998 in the 10th round of the World Superbike championship at Brands Hatch, GB on Sunday.

The Castrol Honda rider goes into the Brands Hatch event - labeled the European round - knowing two victories would signal his intent and close the points gap to series leader Troy Bayliss as American Edwards bids to successfully defend his title.

Edwards arrives at Brands Hatch having won four of the last eight races there and after a successful test session at the Imola circuit in Italy.

"I'm ready for Brands Hatch and want to win there badly," says Edwards. "I clinched the title at Brands Hatch last year so the circuit is special for me and I¹ve always felt confident there."

He continues: "We had a great test at Imola last week. I set the fastest time of the riders there but more importantly we learnt a lot more about the machine and really improved the base setting. Michelin have been working hard too and I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it all comes together for Sunday."

Edwards is 53 points behind Bayliss and eight ahead of Aprilia's Troy Corser as the title battle hot's up with just four rounds, eight races remaining. Edwards' team-mate Tady Okada holds ninth place in the series and the Japanese rider makes his Brands Hatch debut this week.

"I'm not sure what to expect," admits Okada. "People have told me a lot of different things about Brands Hatch but I'll be able to make up my own mind on Friday when we get out on the track."

"I feel a lot happier after the Imola test and hoping I can get the VTR working as well at Brands Hatch this week. I'd like to think I can climb the championship table to fifth or sixth place and I know I need two podium finishes this week to help me achieve that target."

GSE Racing’s Neil Hodgson and James Toseland can’t wait to pull on their leathers and contest round ten of the Superbike World Championship one of their home circuits. Brands Hatch is the largest event on the WSB calendar and is expected to attract more than 110,000 spectators this weekend.

Both riders are in high spirits after achieving some of the best results of their season at Laguna Seca in the United States. Hodgson, the reigning British Superbike Champion secured two podium finishes - a second and third - while 20-year-old rookie, Toseland, put in a remarkable performance to claim a tenth and seventh place.

“We’ve started to string a good series of results together,” said 27-year-old Hodgson. “Just like last year, the Donington World Superbike round was a turning point in my season. After winning there, I’ve since proved that I can qualify well and finish on the rostrum at European and overseas events. This has moved me up to fifth in the championship, but I’m confident there is more to come.

“I don’t think the pressure will be any different to that at Donington,” explained the Isle of Man resident. “The team have worked really hard to give me a competitive package and we won’t be treating this event any different to the others. We’ll be working extremely hard to ensure that we’ve attained the best possible race set-up and then the rest will be down to me.

“This event takes on a special significance for the team, because GSE Group is based close to Brands Hatch and we will have hundreds of guests to entertain over the weekend. Despite my sponsorship commitments at this event, I will stay totally focussed and hope to achieve the best possible result.

“The fans always create a fantastic atmosphere at Brands Hatch. Last year, as a wild card rider, I was lucky to get a win and a second place. It was one of the best days of my life. However, the bad luck I encountered at the end of last season means I can’t afford to let my defences down. As always, I’ll be giving 110% for my team, sponsors and fans. And there is only one result I’m after….”

World Superbike newcomer James Toseland is also excited about racing on familiar tarmac in the UK. “Naturally, there is going to be a lot of pressure on Neil and myself at Brands,” said the young rider from Sheffield. “I’ll approach this round like I do every other. As always, the key is to find a good set-up. My plan is to go out with Neil in the first session to help me get up to speed quickly. I have an advantage in that I know this circuit and so far I’ve done well at circuits I know.

“I like racing in the UK. I think it makes a real difference to know that everyone wants you to do well. I simply want to improve. I know what people expect of me and I don’t intend to let anyone down.”

Following on from his double win at the last round of the British Championship at Oulton Park on Sunday, MonsterMob Ducati rider Steve Hislop heads for Brands Hatch this weekend after scoring a wildcard entry for this round of the World Superbike Championship.

More than 120,000 fans will be crammed into Brands on Sunday when Hislop - the current leader of the British Superbike Championship - will be looking to continue his good form of late which so very nearly netted him his first ever world championship victory at Donington two months ago.

Then, a damp patch on the track caused him to run off but the Onchan based Scot clawed his way back to claim a deserved third place in leg one after setting Superpole alight with a stunning time to take pole position the previous day.

"There's no pressure on me to perform but I'm hoping to get some good results for the British fans" said Hislop. "I'm really enjoying my racing this year and if I can do what Hodgson and Reynolds did as wild cards last year and win then I'll be pretty pleased" he continued.

Ironically, it was at this race last year that Hislop suffered a huge accident resulting in a broken neck that threatened his career but the 38 year old has bounced back and surprised virtually everyone with his speed and consistency.

Hislop is joined on the grid by John Reynolds, the rider who he has been locked in battle for the British Superbike title this season.

Circuit length: 2.623 miles - 4.22km
Lap record: Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 1m 26.910s (2000)
2000 Superpole: Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 1m 26.381s
2000 Qualifying: Troy Corser (Aprilia) 1m 26.466s
2000 Winners: John Reynolds (Ducati) and Colin Edwards (Castrol Honda)

World Superbike championship points after nine of 13 rounds
1 Troy Bayliss / Australia/ Ducati/ 276
2 Colin Edwards/ USA/ Castrol Honda/ 223
3 Troy Corser /Australia /Aprilia/ 215
4 Ben Bostrom/ USA/ Ducati/ 197
5 Neil Hodgson/ GB /Ducati /177
6 Pier-Francesco Chili/ Italy/ Suzuki/ 153
7 Gregorio Lavilla/ Spain/Kawasaki /120
8 Akira Yanagawa/ Japan/Kawasaki/ 118
9 Tady Okada /Japan /Castrol Honda/ 113
10 Ruben Xaus/ Spain/ Ducati / 92