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Bennetts British Superbike Series

The start of the 2009 season is drawing close with the first race kicking off at Brands Hatch on 3-4 April.

Excitement is building, especially given the success of the Bennetts British Superbike 2008 Series, with Shane 'Shakey' Byrne coming out on top, exploiting a fine second half to win the season. Other riders finishing with honours in 2008 were Leon Halsam (2nd), Cal Crutchlow (3rd), Tom Sykes (4th) and Leon Carrier (5th). And what really marked the 2008 season was the tight competition, with all the riders finishing close to each other in the standings.

After Brands Hatch it's straight to Thruxton on 18-20 April, with early May, 3-5, its off to Dutton Park. May ends with a meeting on 24-26 at Donington Park, and the summer fun begins in earnest with two June meetings, 13-15 at Snetterton and 27-29 at Mallory Park. July has one meeting, 18-20, at Oulton Park and the height of summer sees two meetings in August, 8-10 at Knockhill and 23-25 Cadwell Park. The first two autumn meetings take place on 12-14 and 26-28 September, at Croft and Silverstone. The final race of the year takes place at Brands Hatch on 10-12 October.

There's a full roster of riders and teams, with 2008 Runner-Up Leon Halsam, turning out for HM Plant Honda. The Smalley-based rider is said to be a major contender for the 2009 crown.

Also riding for HM Plant Honda is Coventry-based Cal Crutchlow, third in 2008 and another rider looking for top honours in 2009.

Virgin Yamaha is fielding Sheffield-based Karl Harris who is still looking for some top finishing positions, despite having the potential to make his mark.

Airwaves Ducati is putting up Zurich-based veteran and 2008 champ Shane 'Shakey' Byrne, who has had his fair share of injuries, but has stayed on course with some impressive performances; and Ashford based youngster Leon Camier who is due some success in 2009.

Huddersfield-based Tom Sykes is turning out for Rizla Suzuki and he is determined to build on his accolade of Rookie of the Year and his fourth place in 2008. They also have Atsushi Watanabe riding for the team and this will be his second season for the Verwood-based rider.

MSS Kawasaki are throwing youngster Billy MacConnell into the ring and will look to build on early promising seasons.

Maidstone-based Scott Smart is in the frame for Hawk Racing Kawasaki and hopes to exploit an impressive record of results since the early nineties.

Lloyds British Yamaha hopes lie with Evesham-based Simon Andrews who has had a fair share of the honours with a number of impressive seasons.

NW200 Ducati is pinning its hopes on veteran and Kirkby Mallory-based Michael Rutter who is regarded by his fellow riders as a complete all-rounder.

Toomebridge-based Michael Laverty steps up to the plate for Relentless Suzuki as the former schoolboy motocross champion hopes to get his feet firmly on the podium in 2009.

Hydrex Honda boasts two riders who could prove worth watching in 2009. Kendal-based James Ellison promises success after a varied career, as does Kimington-based Guy Martin who will use his experience as a very handy road racer to grab a few decent results.

So, remember, it all starts at Brands Hatch on 3-4 April.

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