After a successful pre season test at Snetterton two weeks ago (25th March), Stuart Hicken and his Hawk Kawasaki Team are in high spirits as they head for the first round of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship at Brands Hatch this Easter weekend (7th – 9th April). The four Hawk riders are keen to tackle the technical 2.6-mile track. This season Hawk are running former team member Scott Smart who is eager to gain similar results to which he achieved with the team in 2004 on board the new Kawasaki ZX10-R. He will be joined by youngster Peter Hickman, who will be competing in his second year in the fiercely competitive British Superbike Championship with Hawk. Smart commented “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and returning to Hawk, we had a good test at Snetterton and we know which direction we need to go with the bikes. Brands is my local track so I’m hoping that I will be able to start the year with a handful of strong results. I’m keen to work with the team again and have a good year.” New for this season are the Hawk Junior Team which will be running youngsters David Hallett and Jak Wright. The two used the test at Snetterton to their advantage and each were able to adjust to their new bikes and riding styles. 20-year-old Hallett will be riding the ZX10-R in the National Superstock Cup Championship and 19-year-old Wright will be riding the new ZX6 in the British Supersport Cup. Team Manager Stuart Hicken is delighted with his rider line up this year. ‘I’m extremely happy with the riders that I have riding for me this season. It’s good to have Scott back on board with Hicky and also the two younger riders in the junior team who I am hoping will develop and progress through the season. Everyone at Hawk have been working around the clock to ensure that the team are ready for the first race at Brands and we are looking forward to racing there.”