JAMES Ellison is hoping for a repeat performance when he returns to Brands Hatch next weekend to kick start his MCE British Superbike Championship.

The 34-year-old from Kendal was a double winner on the Kent circuit back in April that took him to the top of the leaderboard but since then his title charge has stalled.

Ellison has slipped to fourth place in the standings - and 83 points behind defending champion Shane Byrne - after just one points-scoring finish in the last four races.

And there was more misery for Ellison in the eight round of races at Knockhill at the weekend when he failed to finsh either race.

The JG Speedfit Kawasaki rider crashed out of race one after the ninth lap and lasted only three laps in race two due to mechanical problems.

But Ellison insists it only needs to fine tuning - and a slice of luck - to get him back to winning ways.

“The team have worked flat out and the bike is mega, it's a championship winning package and we just need a bit of luck to get back to where we've shown we can run,” said Ellison who started the championship in fine form.

Ellison went to Knockhill still feeling the finding side effects of a broken rib he suffered in a qualifying crash at Snetterton.

"The weekend has been bitterly disappointing. I struggled a little with the ribs but we had the pace to be running at the front and chasing a podium and even the wins.

“I had a silly little crash in the first race, which was a weird as we didn't do anything different but it was at the same corner a lot of the guys did too so I'm not sure if there was something there.”

However Ellison proved he can still be a contender after setting the fastest lap in race one which earned him pole position for race two only for back luck to strike again.

But despite his struggles Ellison is adamant his team can recover and launch a fightback - starting at Brands Hatch on July 18-19.