2008 Great Britain MotoGP novice star, James Toseland, the heads of his home Grand Prix at Donington Park with the aim to fight for a podium debut.James Toseland is facing its biggest event as a corridor MotoGP this weekend at Donington Park, when the current double World Superbike champion leads to the track in front of his home fans for his first British Grand Prix.
After being deprived of a pilot MotoGP raw materials from Jeremy McWilliams claimed one pole and two podiums during the 2000 500cc season - and seeing people like Chris Walker, Neil Hodgson, Shane Byrne and James Ellison struggle to make an impression and that - British fans were full of hope and concern when Toseland announced that he had to assume the challenge for 2008.
Not competitive Grand Prix machinery has ruined many British dreams since 2000 and, like those before him, Toseland was unable to secure an official visit factory with a proven manufacturer.
However, both he and manager Roger Burnett were able to acquire the next best thing - 2008-spec YZR-M1 on Michelin tyres, led by the satellite Tech 3 team.
It remains a considerable gamble on both sides; Superbike riders have been generally more risky an option 250GP graduates, while Tech 3 has not put a runner on the podium since Marco Melandri in 2004.
However Toseland, Tech 3 and M1 soon began to gel during the winter testing and any pressing questions about its potential is erased when the British qualified an impressive second on the grid for his first MotoGP race in Qatar.
Some strong moves since overcoming an impressive sixth in the race - and its valve spring-Yamaha engine was soon replaced by a more recent of tire design specifications - but the six events from Qatar have been held in the asphalt and unknown Toseland continues to break that barrier sixth place, having finished in that position at least four times.
"At this point I'm happy with where I am but I am getting impatient because I think I can do better," she admitted. "If I finish sixth and know that I could not do because I am happy, but now I think there are more in the bag. But we really come this new [rear heavy] configuration works well and is a good package at Donington, where I can not wait to go.
"This is the weekend I have been waiting so all season," he said. "My first and only race in Britain this year and my first appearance at a MotoGP bike in front of home fans. I know the track well, I won there last year on a Superbike and already pushing really hard for that podium place. "
Toseland's home podium dream has been driven by team-mate Colin Edwards, who has already shown that the Tech 3 M1 is capable of both poles (China) and podiums (France).
The last time a British pilot is in the British Grand Prix podium McWilliams was in 2000. The last time a British rider won the British Grand Prix was in 1976, when Tom Herron took the victory in the Isle of Man.
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