As the Bennetts British Superbike Championship Showdown rounds loom into view, Leon Haslam is hoping not only to extend his championship lead, but also to secure two previously elusive wins at Thruxton this weekend (3^rd to 5^th August).

The Pocket Rocket, who is currently sitting firmly at the top of the championship leaderboard with 242 points (80 points clear of Jake Dixon in second), has enjoyed great results so far, but he’s yet to conquer the fastest circuit of the season.

Derbyshire-born Haslam managed to secure a third-place finish in race two last year at the 2.34-mile Hampshire track, which boasts long, fast straights and flowing corners to tight, demanding complex and chicane sections.

But with wins on his mind and the championship showdown rounds only a few races away, Haslam will be pushing himself to get on the top step of the podium in both races.

Meanwhile, teammate Luke Mossey is fighting back after facing some challenges so far this season. The Royston-rider damaged his ribs in a crash at Snetterton and walked away with a badly bruised elbow during a crash in race one at Brands Hatch.

But with more points on the board following a 13^th place finish in race two at Brands, a fully recovered Mossey is aiming for podiums this weekend to close the gap between him and the riders in the top six places in the championship.  

Also racing this weekend are Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood who will fly the flag for Quattro Plant JS Speedfit Kawasaki in three races in the Hyundai Construction Equipment British Sidecar Championship.

Following mixed fortunes this season, the pair are currently second in the F600 championship and fourth in the Hyundai Construction Equipment British Sidecar Championship.

Leon Haslam said: “I’m looking forward to Thruxton. It’s the only circuit I’ve never ever won at in my BSB career, so I’m obviously trying to rectify that.

“It’s a different circuit, really fast and undulating, and we’ve got a few things we want to try specifically for that track.

“We’ve extended the lead at every round we’ve been to with the championship, so it would be nice to continue the same progress at Thruxton.”

Luke Mossey said: ““It’s been tough this season, but after my crash at Snetterton, where I damaged my ribs, and my off race at Brands, I feel the team and I are all pulling in the right direction.

“We had some positive results at Brands, where I topped free practice, so we know we have the capability to do well. I believe we can build on the positives and do well in Thruxton,”

Ricky Stevens said: “We’re still on a high after the podium finish at Brands Hatch in July and now we’re heading to my home circuit in Thruxton.

“Thruxton has always been a favourite of mine, not only because it’s so fast, but because we set the fastest lap record there at 1.17 – a full second off the previous record – in 2015.

“We’re making no changes to the bike, because it performed so well at Brands, and I’m hoping that together with my mojo coming back after a tough start to the season, we can continue our campaign to rise up the leaderboard.”

Team Manager Jack Valentine added: “The team heads to its home round at Thruxton in Hampshire this weekend, which also happens to be the fastest lap time on the calendar.

“Leon has prepared thanks to his trip to Suzuka, riding for KRT, and Luke has been training hard at home.

“With just three rounds until the showdown it’s so important for Leon to add to his podium credits and it’s got to be podiums if Luke is going to challenge for a top six showdown place by the end of round 9.

“Thruxton is also the JG Speedfit sponsored round so doubly important that our boys shine.”

To keep up to date with the latest news from JG Speedfit Kawasaki you can follow the team on Facebook @JGSpeedfitBournemouthKawasaki and on Twitter @JGSpeedfitKawa or visit the website www.jgspeedfitkawasaki.co.uk