Brands Hatch is gearing up for a four-day Easter stunner this weekend as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Kent with breathtaking two-wheeled action from a world-class grid of riders.
The UK’s biggest motor racing championship will headline the proceedings, with 25 riders representing top manufacturers on the bullring Brands Hatch Indy circuit, including Ducati, Honda and Kawasaki. The event gets underway on Good Friday with testing, before Practice on Saturday, Qualifying on Easter Sunday and two headlining races on Easter Monday.
Leading the MCE BSB line-up of riders is defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne, who is aiming for his sixth title this year. The Sittingbourne ace was sidelined at the opening round after a high-speed crash, but is ready to come out fighting in a bid to make up the lost ground to chief rival and double Donington winner Leon Haslam. Both riders won on the Indy circuit last year, so the scene is set for an epic battle.
Shakey said: “I can’t wait to get my season well and truly started this weekend at Brands Hatch; obviously the crash at Donington was far from ideal, but I intend on making up that ground straight away. The Indy circuit can always be pretty hectic but as always I have one focus and that is on myself and making sure I am ready to come out fighting for the two race wins.
“The Be Wiser Ducati team have worked so hard over the winter that I need to make amends for missing out at the opening round, and where better to do that than at my home round!”
Byrne will also face opposition from many of the world’s best riders including 2014 World Superbike Champion Sylvain Guintoli, 2015 arch rival and MCE BSB Champion Josh Brookes, plus Donington podium finishers Luke Mossey, Christian Iddon and Glenn Irwin.
The event also features supporting action from the Dickies Supersport Championship, Pirelli National Superstock 600 and 1000, Hel Performance British Motostar, British Sidecar and the Ducati Trioptions Cup. The weekend’s 18 races equal a total of 340 racing laps, so the action is going to come thick and fast on the 1.2-mile Indy circuit.
Visitors can meet the MCE BSB riders on Monday when there’s a free-of-charge pitwalk and autograph session. Other off-track entertainment includes an Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday, a vast trade and manufacturer zone, fun fair, go-karting and a free children’s adventure playground.
Advance tickets cost £35 for the four day Easter weekend until midday Wednesday with children under 13 admitted free! For more information and to book call 0843 453 9000 or visit www.brandshatch.co.uk