By Carly Rathmell
August 19 2003

Dean Ellison and the D&B Firepower Ducati Team supported by Alcatel head to Oulton Park, Cheshire this weekend (9 & 10 August). Dean will be hoping to regain the front row form he showed there earlier in the year.

Dean is keen to get back on his bike after his commendable results from the recent Brands Hatch World Superbikes, and is looking forward to one of his favorite circuits of the series this weekend.

In a phone call yesterday evening Dean said, “This is where I managed to get on the front row on our last visit here, and I have so many people reminding me of that. It’d be great to do it again. During race one I was lying in third place when I lost the front end going into Lodge, the last corner on the final lap. It’s ironic because the late great Steve Hislop took third in the race after my spill.

“I paid my respects to Steve at his funeral yesterday, along with many other British Superbike competitors. Things in the paddock will certainly never be the same without him. He went from being my childhood hero to my friend and he’ll be greatly missed.”

The atmosphere in the whole paddock will be a little different this weekend, after the sad loss of British Superbike and TT hero Steve Hislop who lost his life in an air accident last Wednesday. Many riders will be sporting black armbands, and a one minutes silence is to be held before the first race as a mark of respect for the reigning British Champion.

Oulton Park (www.britishsuperbike.com) is situated near Tarporley, Cheshire. One of the most spectator friendly circuits, Oulton will surely pull in a large crowd over the weekend, to cheer on Dean and the team.

Remember, it’s live on Sky Sports on Sunday afternoon.