After an eventful season of SBK competition James Toseland (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) enters his third home meeting of the year this weekend with a more than useful 43-point championship lead.

His most recent win of his championship campaign, his sixth of the year, came in race one at Brno two weeks ago, and after following that up with a second in race two, he increased his overall championship advantage, now from new second place rider, Max Biaggi.

The fight for the championship has come down to a realistic four-rider battle, with Noriyuki Haga 45 points down on Toseland, and Troy Bayliss 56 points from the lead.

Behind Toseland an official entry of four more supported Honda riders is headed by Roberto Rolfo (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) who sits eighth overall, with recent podium scorer Michel Fabrizio (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) 11th.

Karl Muggeridge (Alto Evolution Honda CBR1000RR) returns once more to a venue where he enjoyed his first ever WSS race win for Honda, back in 2000, before going on to win the WSS championship himself on a CBR600RR in 2004.

Luca Morelli (DFX Corse Honda CBR1000RR) carries on his steep learning curve at another circuit new to him, looking to score points in each race to lift him up in the championship ranking.

Toseland comes to Brands on the back of a win and a second two weeks ago at Brno, and he now goes for his first SBK win at Brands Hatch to defend his lead in the best possible way - by beating all his challengers.

"I'm 43 points in the lead now and, to be honest, after Misano I would have questioned the reality of that happening," said Toseland, who has been rewarded so far for his unquenchable determination and perseverance: "The team has worked really hard and the package is great. I can't wait to get to Brands Hatch and do the same as I did in Brno, if not one better!"

Rolfo heads to England knowing that Brands is a difficult track - but one which rewards a positive attitude. Like all his peers, he also hopes for a dry track surface on which to race.

"Brands Hatch is a very special place; It's only my second year at the circuit and I'm happy to go back there," said Rolfo: "At the moment, I'm still training to prepare for this important event because I want to do my best. Following Brno, I feel confident because my mental and physical condition is good. The team works well together and this is very important at a difficult track like Brands. I am hoping for good weather for the weekend so we see a big crowd at the circuit."

The podium finish he earned at Brno was a great boost for the young Italian Fabrizio, and he puts his return to podium form down to a pre-Brno test at his home circuit near Rome.

"After the race in Brno I had a little holiday to recuperate my energy," said Fabrizio: "The results were excellent but for me and my team it is important to continue on the same path. After the test in Vallelunga my motorcycle has improved and with the new set up it was possible to fight for victory in the Czech Republic. For us, Brands Hatch will be an important race. It will help us understand what to expect for the rest of the year."

Muggeridge, riding solo for the Alto Evolution squad, came back to action at Brno two weeks ago, but now feels the team has everything in place to go for the kind of results he would normally expect to take.

"We should have a new engine spec for the bikes at Brands," said Muggeridge: "That should be the last thing we need to get back to competitiveness. You need to get the whole bike working well there."

Morelli will meet a new challenge at Brands Hatch, as he has never raced at the venue before, even though he has heard a lot about it.

"For me Brands Hatch will be very difficult because I haven't raced on this circuit," said Morelli. "The other riders speak about this circuit with a lot of respect but I am a professional rider and I will give the race my best."

After the usual noise and fury of what is expected to be a well-attended Brands Hatch race, both SBK and WSS classes disperse for a time to enjoy a fulsome August break before reconvening to fight out round 11 of the championship, on 9 September at Eurospeedway Lausitz, Germany. Back-to-back rounds in Vallelunga, Italy (3 September) and Magny-Cours, France (7 October) will then complete the 2007 season.