British Superbikes action at Brands Hatch in April Picture: Andy Payton

Brands Hatch hosts one of its biggest events of the season when the British Superbike Championship returns to the Kent circuit at the weekend.

After staging round 1 in April, the competition has now moved on to round 8.

Leading the 12-round championship is Worx Suzuki rider Tommy Hill, just two points ahead of Australian Josh Brookes.

With a new title format, the riders are chasing a top-six finish so they can be in contention to fight for the main prize in the final three rounds.

Hill, from Lingfield, said: "It is a good feeling to arrive at Brands Hatch leading the standings but Josh and Ryuichi Kiyonari showed that Honda will be up there, too, and you can’t rule anybody out."

World Superbikes rider Tom Sykes will be joining the grid as a wildcard and is sure to shake things up at the top end.

Brookes and Hill will face tough competition from third-placed Japanese rider Kiyonari, and from Michael Laverty.

The opening race of the weekend is on Saturday afternoon, followed by two more races the following day.

Gate price on Saturday is £15, and £30 on Sunday. Under-13s are admitted free.