Brands Hatch is gearing up for a summer scorcher this weekend when the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Kent.

Tens of thousands of fans are expected to attend and support home hero and defending champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.

The Isle of Sheppey ace heads the points standings ahead of the two races on the legendary Grand Prix circuit on Sunday.

Byrne has won the last seven MCE BSB races on the Grand Prix circuit and the Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki rider is hunting a repeat performance as he prepares to take on some of the world’s best riders including double 2013 race winner Alex Lowes, James Ellison and international contenders Josh Brookes and Ryuichi Kiyonari.

Byrne said: “We have a record of wins at Brands Hatch but I don’t intend on resting on my laurels as the last round at Snetterton showed that we need to keep improving if we want to stay ahead.”

“Alex, Josh, James – they all want to be scoring more points than me and then there is Kiyo too! Brands Hatch is my home round and I certainly don’t go to an event to finish second, so we will work hard and hopefully that puts us where we need to be.”

A late addition to this weekend’s event is some unique demonstration laps by the extraordinary Britten V1000 as spectators can get a unique glimpse of the iconic machine built by John Britten and a group of friends with limited resources in a home workshop in New Zealand during the early 90s.

Kent’s Scott Smart will ride the innovatively designed motorcycle which has been bought to the UK by New Zealand motorcycle enthusiast and collector Ken Grant. This machine is the actual World Championship-winning bike, which won the 1996 World BEARS (British, European & American Race Series) title and is one of only ten ever produced. The machine also set a number of world speed records.

Eleven support races pack the weekend in addition to the two MCE BSB feature races, whilst there’s a host of off track entertainment for all the family including live music, the Inch Perfect Motorcycle Display Team (Saturday and Sunday), an all-new adventure playground and a Family Fun Zone (Sunday), plus general parking is free.

Adult tickets are available to purchase on the gate for all three days and the event offers excellent value for all the family as children 12 and under are admitted free. Brands Hatch offers sensational views around the circuit with giant TV screens to ensure you won’t miss any of the action, and with excellent weather predicted this weekend it’s set to be the biggest event of the season at Brands Hatch. For full event details see www.brandshatch.co.uk