Leon Morris (Buildbase/JHP Racing) takes a sizable 49-point lead into the second half of the season, as round five of the Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge takes place this weekend at Brands Hatch.

Having now completed it’s two fly-away rounds at Assen and Monza, the Challenge returns to the British Superbike paddock for three of it’s remaining four rounds, as the front runners jostle for position to keep their Championship hopes alive.

Second place man Mike Edwards (MSKWorks,com) will be looking to re-establish his season and put the pressure back on Morris, as will defending Champion Darren Fry (Buildbase/JHP Racing) and Kenny Gilbertson (Team AOR/Boast Plumbing). Robbie Brown (DMCRacing), now finding his form on the 848 EVO, will be aiming to get on the top step again, having secured his first race win this season at Monza.

This weekend’s round in Kent will be made all the more exciting by the prospect of racing on both Brands Hatch circuit configurations; on Friday all the action takes place on the Indy circuit culminating in Race 1, after which the meeting switches to the full GP circuit, with Race 2 taking place on Sunday afternoon.

Should Morris repeat his success in the opening round where he took both race wins on the Indy circuit he will surely be favourite for the title. So expect the usual close racing and hard passing as the chasing riders do what they can to take the season down to the wire.

Rapid Solicitors Ducati 848 Challenge top five riders after four of eight rounds:

1.     Leon Morris               170pts

2.     Mike Edwards            121pts

=3.   Darren Fry                115pts

=3.   Robbie Brown            115pts

5.     Kenny Gilbertson        106pts