HM Plant Honda’s Josh Brookes has taken time out since the Brands Hatch round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship to head back home to Australia, and now feels re-energised ahead of the Cadwell Park Bank August Holiday round this weekend.

Brookes dropped to third in the overall standings following a challenging weekend at Brands Hatch, but with just 10 points between himself and title leader Ryuichi Kiyonari, he is focused on regaining the position at the top of the standings before the title Showdown gets underway once the championship leaves Lincolnshire.

“After a few bad races I was feeling a bit down, but coming home always sparks me up so I thought I would use the time off to go back to Australia and see my family,” Brookes said. “I have had heaps of support from people back in Oz and everyone has been telling me to get back to BSB and win the title, which is really motivational.

“I have been all over the place on my visit home, from my local area of Sydney to catch up with friends, to Melbourne to see my manager, and finally up to the Gold Coast to hang out with a sponsor. I also [went] to watch my mate Wayne Maxwell at the [Queensland] round of Australian Superbikes.”

Brookes is a big fan of the Cadwell circuit, confident of working his way back to the top of the standings as the season enters the all-new ‘Showdown’ period.

“I liked Cadwell Park on my first visit earlier in the year and I loved the support that the spectators gave me for my jumping style over the Mountain so I’m looking forward to another strong weekend there,” the 27-year-old said. “I want two good races so I can get back to the top of the standings before we get set for the Showdown.”

Fellow Aussie, South Australian Billy McConnell is confident that he can return to the winner’s circle when the British Supersport Championship visits Cadwell Park this weekend.

McConnell won at Cadwell round at the same circuit back in May, hopeful for a repeat victory aboard his CAME Yamaha YZF-R6 on Sunday.

“I am really looking forward to getting back out at Cadwell Park – we won there back in May so that is definitely what we are aiming for again this weekend,” he said. “To repeat the win there again would be fantastic and I need to redeem some decent points on the leaders now.

“After Brands Hatch I dropped out of the top three and that isn’t where I want be, especially at this point of the season so I need a good result for sure. We know that we have a good setting to work with from earlier in the year so there is no reason why we can’t fight for that win.”

McConnell currently sits fourth in the 2010 championship, within striking distance of a top three results.

Other Aussies to keep an eye on this weekend include the in-form Jason O’Halloran in Supersport, Glen Richards in Supersport and Superstock, plus David Johnson and David Anthony in the Superbike ranks. Young gun Matthew Davies will also be contesting the 125cc Grand Prix category.