The magnificent Rockingham Motor Speedway is the setting for the opening two races of the 2004 Dunlop National Supersports Championship. With strong representation from Chiron, Nemesis and Juno, the stage is set for a cracking pair of races over the weekend of 3/4 April.
Following the popular format pioneered by the National Supersports Association in 2003, the season will comprise 14 races run over seven weekends, with a qualifying session and race on each day.
Proudly carrying number 1 on his Chiron will be defending champion Stephen Shanly, who returns in a bid to secure back to back titles. However, he faces tough opposition from his own team mates, let alone the squads from Nemesis and Juno.
Joining Shanly at Chiron are Doug Hart and Peter Hobday and the team at Chiron is working flat out to have the two new cars ready for testing in the run-up to Rockingham. Hart is an established ace at this level and is expected to win races, while Hobday will be aiming to learn the new car and progress strongly as the season develops.
The big threat to Chiron comes from a three-strong squad from the Nemesis marque. Team boss Paul Gibson heads the Nemesis line-up, and is determined to go one better than his second place of 2003. With former Carrera Cup and Formula Renault racer Jeremy Smith and Supersports returnee Simeon Maurer also in the squad, it is a very strong team from the Middlesborough marque. Running as a privateer in his own Nemesis is 2002 champion David Pegley, who will be hoping to put a troubled 2003 season behind him with a string of podium finishes.
However, the Juno SS2 of Robert Oldershaw could be the quickest of all. The car is a proven winner in the hands of Chris Ward, and Oldershaw was superbly quick in his Radical last season.
In the SP3 class for 1300cc Radical Prosports, defending champion Neil Huggins looks like being the man to beat, but Welsh newcomer Peter Williams will be a welcome addition.
With a number more cars set to join the championship for rounds 3 and 4 at Croft in May, the stage is set for some excellent sports-prototype action.
