THE British racing Mecca of Brands Hatch will decide the immediate destiny of Superbikes superstars Carl Fogarty and Neil Hodgson.

Fogarty is set to decide whether to continue racing bikes after Sunday's round nine of the 12-round world championship series.

But Hodgson's future might be out of his hands, despite some brilliant rides for Kawasaki.

Performances, however, have not been turned into consistent points.

That will have to change if Hodgson, now living on the Isle of Man, is to retain his ride for next season.

He said: "There's been no pressure to win up until now, but I know I have to start putting the rides in to stay here next year.

"My deal with Kawasaki is for a year with an option for a second.

"So it means I'm not guaranteed anything next year.

"I think the team have exactly what it takes to win this series, and the bike is definitely improving, so I want to be here next year to win it for them. "To ensure that, I have to make sure I'm in the team!"

Hodgson warmed up for Brands Hatch with a seventh-placed finish in the Suzuka Eight Hour race with partner Hitoyasu Izutsu.

And he is only now getting to grips with the different cornering methods needed for this year's Kawasaki and last year's Ducati.

The Ducati corners at speed, whereas it is necessary to hit the brakes of a Kawasaki, accelerating hard out of the corner.

Fogarty, however, might be ready to apply the brakes on his own illustrious career.

He is set for talks with Ducati management after the weekend and may call it a day after this season. Continuing problems with his Ducati has dulled his appetite for the fight.

He said: "It's harder and harder to summon up the same level of commitment to go out on the Ducati when I know it's being outgunned by the Hondas.

"They have better top speed and better acceleration out of corners.

"And at speed circuits, the best you can hope for is third. It is so frustrating.

"I know I can beat anybody out there but I am having to go closer to the edge all the time to try and win."

But, whatever his eventual decision, Fogarty wants to make up for his disappointing performance at Donington Park in this year's other British WSB round when he came seventh and third.

He added: "This weekend is my chance to make it up to the fans."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.