Troy Bayliss has been the man to beat this season, and this will be your last chance to see the ‘Wonder from Down Under’ race at Brands Hatch, as he is set to retire at the end of the season. The Aussie certainly has the statistics on his side, with over 40 wins in his career to credit, but he was unable to beat Britain’s James Toseland last season. Bayliss knows the Grand Prix circuit well and has fond memories of the track from his time in the British Superbike Championship when he won the title in 1999.

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 2

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 2

WSB Championship wins: 2

Carlos Checa is a former star of MotoGP, but has yet to race on the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit so this could be a tough round for the Spaniard. However at Miller Motorsports Park Checa took a double win, his first in WSB. Last season the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda team secured a double victory at Brands Hatch but will Checa be the man to do it in 2008?

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 0

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 0

WSB Championship wins: 0

Noriyuki Haga is a firm favourite with the Brands Hatch crowds, but the Yamaha Motor Italia rider has had his fair share of bad luck so far this season, with the latest being a broken collarbone sustained in qualifying at Miller Motorsports Park. The ‘Samurai of Slide’ has a history of strong results at the Kent circuit and maybe this could be where he finally closes the advantage on his rivals.

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 4

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 0

WSB Championship wins: 0

Max Biaggi has bounced back from a broken wrist sustained in the second round of the championship and comes to Brands Hatch for the second time in his career eager to better his results scored on his championship debut. Last season the ‘Roman Emperor’ quickly got to grips with the 2.3-mile Grand Prix circuit and was sixth on the grid. In the first race he was able to take third and stand on the podium in his first race at the circuit. Can Biaggi make the top step in 2008?

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 0

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 0

WSB Championship wins: 0

Troy Corser already has two WSB titles under his belt and is determined to make it three. Having won championships in the past for Ducati and Suzuki already he now looks for a third title with Yamaha. Corser had a double podium at Brands Hatch last season with a second and third place respectively and will be looking to repeat his 2005 victory at the Kent circuit.

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 3

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 2

WSB Championship wins: 2

Ryuichi Kiyonari might not seem like an obvious rider to watch having only finished on the podium once this year, but the double British Superbike Champion will be coming to a circuit that he is familiar with for the first time this season. Kiyo has been strong at the Kent circuit in the past and the HANNspree Ten Kate Honda is certainly a winning machine so could be a dark horse for this round.

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 0

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 0

WSB Championship wins: 0

Gregorio Lavilla is another double British Superbike Champion who will be eager to show what he is capable of at his team’s home round. The Paul Bird Motorsport team will be hoping for their best result of the season with Lavilla onboard the Vent Axia VK Honda. Can Lavilla and Kiyonari put their years of BSB experience to good use and mix it at the front of the field?

WSB Brands Hatch race wins: 0

WSB Brands Hatch pole positions: 0

WSB Championship wins: 0