New Zealand motorcycle rider Aaron Slight believes he is on track for his first world Superbike podium finish since returning from brain surgery.
Slight continues his comeback in front of a likely crowd of 120,000 at the Brands Hatch round of the championships near London this weekend.
Runner-up in the two race legs there last year, Slight believes the circuit provides his best chance of getting back among the leaders this year.
"I like Brands Hatch. It suits my riding style," the 34-year-old said as he arrived from his Monaco base to prepare for the event, round 10 in the series.
"I've not been on the podium since my comeback from the surgery, but this track is where it's likely to happen."
Slight, twice world championship runner-up, is out of contention this year after his illness kept him from the early rounds, and he admitted the surgery had taken its toll.
"I'm still very much in recovery mode, slowly getting back to full pace," he said.
"I tire easily during the day. My best lap times come in morning practice and qualifying, but I'm feeling a bit jaded by mid-afternoon.
"That can be quite frustrating when I know I can do better, but the surgeons told me this would happen and it's just a matter of being patient."
Slight said his situation illustrated the competitiveness of the Superbike championship.
"I'm just two or three-tenths of a second a lap off the pace of the leaders, but that translates to about fifth or sixth place in this field."
Slight will again be riding support for his American team-mate, Colin Edwards, winner of both legs at Brands Hatch last year, who leads the 2000 championship on the Honda VTR.
After nine of the 13 rounds, Edwards is in front with 265 points, from Australian Troy Corser on 247 and Nori Haga of Japan on 232. Slight has 98 points in ninth spot.
- NZPA
Motorsport: Slight fancies chances at Brands Hatch
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