The opening race of the 2013 Lotus Cup UK championship takes place next weekend (7 April), on the Snetterton 300 circuit, with a record entry in the Supersport classes. A total of 23 cars, spread across the top four classes, will contest overall victory in the 90 minute race on the 300 circuit. The entry includes the V6 classs first Exige in the hands of former Caterham champion and Lotus Cup Europe pacesetter Jon Walker. Lotus Cup UK champion Steve Train returns in a highly competitive 2-Eleven category that includes former Production class race winner Ken Savage. Meanwhile the Exige Cup class has seen a huge growth in entries, with regulars Phill Capstick, Glenn Sherwood and Jamie Stanley being joined by four more cars, including one for Lotus specialist Mark Fullalove. Regular race winners David Fenn and Adrian Hall will continue their rivalry in the Open class, which features 5 Honda-engined Series 1 Exiges, Amongst the Open class entries, Lotus 6 Hour race winner Michael Lyons gets back behind the wheel of a Hethel-built car. Lyons, who partnered Go Greens David and Rob Fenn to overall honours at Brands Hatch last November, earlier joined David Harvey at the final Lotus Cup UK round of 2012, which also took place at Snetterton. The pair are reunited in Harveys 340R, which has raced in LoTRDC series since the first ever Elise Trophy race in 2007. Lyons has developed a fearsome reputation in both GT and historic racing over the last few years. Fresh from his International Sportscar Challenge win at the Australian Grand Prix meeting, he will head into the Snetterton race as one of the favourites for victory. The Production category will also be keenly contested, with reigning champion Rob Boston moving on after being selected for British Touring Car Champion Jason Platos KX Akademy. Many of the contenders will also be in action on 6 April in the Elise Trophy, which also makes its 2013 debut at the Norfolk circuit.