Local motorcycle racer Paul DeCouto made a solid return to the Championship Cup Series (CCS) racing circuit at Virginia International Speedway in Virginia at the weekend.The reigning national Expert Formula 40 champion produced four podium finishes competing on his GSXR 1000cc bike at the CCS End of Summer Jam.DeCouto placed second in both the Expert GTO and Expert Formula 40 races and third in the Expert Unlimited GP and Expert Heavyweight Superbike events to cap another memorable weekend of racing on American soil.It was DeCouto’s first appearance on the CCS circuit in two months after blowing the engine on his bike last summer.“The bike ran great after finally sorting out the motor issue, although not being able to ride it for so long put me way behind in regards to set-up and development,” DeCouto said.“All in all it was a great successful weekend.”Earlier this year DeCouto’s GSXR 1000cc was built up to Supersport specifications in Florida.Despite being out of action for months DeCouto posted some fast lap times in Virginia to keep pace with the top riders in the field.“A few AMA pro riders competed in the event and I managed to get within one second of their lap times,” he said. “I kept them in sight.”DeCouto has managed a plethora of podium displays this season, including seven alone at April’s Southeast & Mid Atlantic Championship Series at Carolina Motorsport Park.However, he has been forced to play catch-up in the season championship points standings after losing precious ground due to injury and mechanical failure.The Cycle Care co-owner injured his ankle and shoulder at this year’s WERA Nationals at Roebling Road Savannah, Georgia and then blew the engine on his bike competing in Virginia last July.Last year saw DeCouto, 42, crowned national Expert Formula 40 champion at the CCS Race of Champions at Daytona International Speedway where he is due to return to action next month.The local motorcycle racer got the 2012 CCS campaign off to a flyer after winning the Expert Formula 40 Class at February’s season-opener at Homestead Miami Speedway.