DENNIS Hobbs is determined to realise his dream of a World Superbike ride after pitting himself against some of the best the sport has to offer.

Hobbs, from Guisborough, normally rides in the British Superbike Championship but last weekend he was at Brands Hatch for the eighth round of the World Championship.

His employers, Team Nvidia Yamaha, were given a wildcard entry for the round because of their role as the development team for Pirelli tyres, the chosen rubber of the championship.

Hobbs was determined not to let the opportunity go to waste, posting highly creditable finishes at the Kent track.

Now the 22-year-old has had a taste, he is hungry for more.

"World Superbikes is every rider's goal," he said. "You are travelling the world racing, which is what you love doing. You can't beat it.

"I think it's possible to get a ride. The ability is there, the team is there, it's just the finances that are required."

Hobbs has a one-season deal with Nvidia and is unsure what the future holds for him.

"The end of the season is coming up. There are only five rounds to go," he said. "But I don't want to rush into anything, then find something else comes along and I miss out, so I'm leaving everything open at the moment."

Hobbs believes he could have finished even higher at the weekend had he had a decent rub of the green.

Halfway through the first race, and handily placed, the head gasket blew and Hobbs' machine began to overheat. That meant a loss of power and consequently a fall down the standings, despite Hobbs making up for the disadvantage with clever use of the brakes.

In the second race, Hobbs had to jump on to the spare bike. With an engine less powerful than his race machine, he was at an immediate disadvantage but he still managed a good start, only to be run off the track as he battled for position. Although Hobbs fought his way back through the pack there were not enough laps left to force his way into the lead group.

"Everyone in the team, all my friends and sponsors, were all really happy. There is only one person who is disappointed at the moment and that is me," he said. "It would have been top ten for sure if all had gone to plan.

"The lads we are running with are the best in the world and I think, based on that performance, we have definitely got the ability. We have just got to make a few changes to the machinery and I am sure we can run with the best in the world."

Hobbs' next outing is in the BSB at Silverstone in two weeks' time.

"I have done the full circuit once or twice and I think things should be OK," he said. "Pirelli tyres have already been there with the World Superbikes so we have some data to start with and we are hoping for top ten.

"It's all down to the tyres. If they come good then we will be there for sure. There is no question what I can do with the bike, it's just the tyres that have been letting the job down so far."