DENNIS HOBBS is ready to ignore the pain to keep his British Superbike Cup aspirations alive.

The Guisborough biker crashed at 140mph while testing at Croft last week and is still suffering the affects.

However, the 22-year-old is determined to make the grid on his home patch when the Darlington circuit plays host to the British Superbike Championship for the first time.

Hobbs is currently second in the Superbike Cup standings, having amassed 294 points on his Suzuki compared to James Ellison's 333.

And while many may have thought twice about taking to the track just a matter of days after suffering such a bone-jarring accident, Hobbs. like most bikers, is made of tougher stuff.

"It was at Barcroft," he said of the incident. "Just as I tipped in the back end came round on me and threw me over the top and I went straight into the tyre wall head first. I was in hospital for four days after that with swelling to my neck, back and the top of my spine.

"They released me on the understanding that I don't do anything strenuous and that I just relax. But I have sought further medical advice and my neck is moving again. It's stiff on one side but I am going to give it a go anyway, definitely, I'll be there."

Hobbs is no stranger to racing while less than 100 per cent fit.

"I did a few meetings this year with a broken ankle just to keep my championship hopes alive," he said. "Now that I have started to gain on the championship leader again I can't afford to miss a round."

Published: 13/08/2004