Zoom Andrew Pitt

Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) leads his team-mate Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) in the contest for ultimate WSS championship honours this season, with four time race winner Pitt on 149 points and recent two-time race winner Rea on 117.

Pitt and Rea even competed in a British Supersport Championship round at Donington earlier this year, to help in their preparations for this pivotal event in the 13-round WSS season.

The Honda CBR600RR has once more proved to be the most consistently quick machine in the WSS field this year, and thus only five points behind Rea is another Honda runner, Josh Brookes (Hannspree Stiggy Motorsports Honda CBR600RR), fourth with 112 points. His fellow Australian rider Broc Parkes is just ahead on 113 points, on the first non-Honda.

The return to Britain and Donington Park will be a poignant moment for all in the WSS paddock after the loss of their fellow rider Craig Jones (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) after a fatal crash at the Brands Hatch World Supersport race last month. His name is fifth in the championship standings at the start of the Donington round, and a tribute to Jones is planned for race weekend.

"Of course, since Brands Hatch Craig Jones has been on everyone's mind but I've spoken to his family a couple of times and I've received a lot of encouragement from his father” said Pitt. “I haven't had too much of a holiday but it feels like it's been a long break and it's time to get back on the bike again. I like Donington, but before we did the wildcard in the British Supersport championship this year, I hadn't been there for about five years. But that test went pretty well and we were fast in practice, although the bike developed a slight electrical problem in the race. I'm looking forward this weekend and will be trying to focus on the championship again."

"After the events of Brands Hatch, I've had a good month off, just relaxing with friends and family, but I really cannot wait to get back on the bike”, added teammate Rea. “We had a good test at Donington earlier in the year and the team's Honda CBR600RRs were on the pace straight away. My spirits and confidence are high right now and making up the points difference is still achievable. I need to throw caution to the wind slightly and do everything I can to win again."

Last time out at Donington, during a miserably cold early-season weekend in 2007, the race winner was eventual champion for Honda, Kenan Sofuoglu, who took an aggregate race from four following Honda riders.

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