The 26-year-old Japanese rider will ride for the HM Plant Honda team, with whom he won the title in 2006 and 2007, in place of the injured Glen Richards who is still recovering from a broken leg.

'Kiyo' has been racing for multiple World Champions Ten Kate Honda, in the World Superbike Championship for the past two seasons, and the ride is a one-off as Glen is expected to return to the Honda squad at the following round at Silverstone,

The former MotoGP rider has an impressive pedigree at the 2.125-mile North Yorkshire track, the home round for Honda team sponsor, HM Plant, winning four times - once in each of 2005 and 2006 and then taking the double ahead of his team-mate Jonathan Rea in 2007.

Commenting on his forthcoming BSB outing, Kiyo said, "I'm really excited to be riding for the HM Plant Honda team again. I'm also very happy to race in BSB and especially at Croft. I love this circuit and won both races when I last raced there in 2007."

Having missed two rounds of the championship due to injury and also a penalty at Mallory Park, Josh Brookes is fired up to get back on his Fireblade and make the most of the remaining three rounds of the season. Josh commented, "I'm totally fired up and ready to go. I had a day riding a standard road bike around Croft last week to learn the circuit which will help me a lot this coming weekend. Before going there I had it in my mind that I wouldn't like the track, but having now ridden it I really like it and the flowing nature, so can't wait for the event now to get back into my stride and put me and HM Plant Honda ‘Blade back up with the front runners."

Team-mate Glen, who was due to return to his seat at Croft, commented, "I rode a lot of laps of Croft last week with Josh on a standard road bike and whilst I could ride round there all day, I really don't feel my leg is fit to race yet so it would be foolish to come back too soon and risk further injury, but I'll certainly be back at Silverstone."

World Superbike racer and fellow Aussie Karl Muggeridge stood in for Glen at the previous two rounds of Brands Hatch and Cadwell Park, but the HM Plant Honda team didn't want to stand in the way of Karl's opportunity to race at this weekend's Bol D'or endurance race, therefore employing the services of the familiar Kiyo.

Havier Beltran, HM Plant Honda Team Manager said, "We only needed a rider for one race weekend. Kiyo was free, has a great history at Croft and also knows the Honda Fireblade Superbike well, so he was the perfect choice. Kiyo is also experienced with bike set-up and development so we'll also be utilising those skills this weekend as well."

Saturday's track action commences at 09.30 with free practice and the all-important qualifying sessions, including the exciting F1-style Roll for Pole knockout qualifying session to set the grid for Sunday's two Superbike races, as well as the qualifying sessions for the other classes.

Sunday's action kicks off with the warm up sessions at 12.00 before the first British Superbike race which is scheduled to start at 13.30. However, during the morning, as well as there being an open paddock, there will be an hour-long Pit Walk for fans to meet the riders between 10.30 and 11.30.

Children aged 15 and under are admitted FREE and there is FREE paddock access and car/bike parking.



Weekend Timetable

Saturday 12 September

09.30 - 09.55 Metzeler National Superstock 600 - Qualifying 1

10.00 - 10.50 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes - Free Practice

11.00 - 11.35 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport - Qualifying 1

11.45 - 12.10 Relentless British 125cc - Qualifying 1

12.20 - 12.45 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 - Qualifying 1

13.45 - 14.50 British Superbikes - Swan Combi 50 Roll for Pole

15.05 - 15.40 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport - Qualifying 2

15.50 - 16.25 Relentless British 125cc - Qualifying 2

16.35 - 17.00 Metzeler National Superstock 600 - Qualifying 2

17.10 - 17.35 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 - Qualifying 2



Sunday 13 September

07.00 Gates Open

10.30 - 11.30 Pit Lane Walkabout

12.00 - 12.10 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes - Warm Up

12.15 - 12.25 Relentless British 125cc - Warm Up

12.30 - 12.40 Metzeler National Superstock 600 - Warm Up

12.45 - 12.55 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport - Warm Up

13.00 - 13.10 Metzeler National Superstock 600 - Warm Up

13.30 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes - Race 1 - 20 laps

14.15 Relentless British 125cc - 14 laps

15.00 Metzeler National Superstock 1000 - 15 laps

15.30 Fuchs Lubricants Rallycross Supercar Demonstration

15.50 Fuchs Silkolene British Supersport - 18 laps

16.35 2009 MCE Insurance British Superbikes - Race 2 - 20 laps

17.15 Metzeler National Superstock 600 - 14 laps