Shane Byrne is confident he can get his 2012 British Superbike Championship campaign off to a perfect start around his lucky home circuit of Brands Hatch.

The former World Superbike Championship racer, who finished third in the 2011 BSB standings, switches from HM Plant Honda to Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki for 2012, a team which is being helmed by series returnees Paul Bird Motorsport.

Beginning his quest for a third BSB title around his local circuit, where he managed four victories in seven Brands Hatch starts last season, Byrne has high hopes that he is capable of being a contender for wins on the ZX-10R.

“I won my first race at Brands Hatch and it holds a lot of good memories for me so I intend to start where I left off last year and that’s by winning,” said Byrne, who also famously won at Brands Hatch as a WSBK wild-card in 2003.

“It’s great to be back with Birdy and the boys and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki ZX-10R should be very competitive. We have made good progress in the tests so now it’s time to get down to the proper action over Easter.”

Kawasaki’s last win at BSB level came in 2010 when WSBK racer Tom Sykes won two races during a wild-card outing at Brands Hatch, though the last Kawasaki victory by a full-time BSB competitor came back in 2004, courtesy of Maidstone’s Scott Smart.

Byrne added: “This season is a start of a whole new chapter with the championship and the team; I am very proud to be part of it. Now pre-season testing is behind us we will see who has the initial edge at Brands Hatch and I am sure there will be a few surprises.”