Two wheel fans are eagerly awaiting the Castle Combe Circuit's first ever two day motorcycle meeting, the Castle Combe Superbike Grand National, this Saturday and Sunday, September 25 and 26
With a healthy turn out of works Superbike teams, the event, run with support from Fowlers Motorcycles of Bristol, Proton, Bikesport News and T.W.O. Magazine looks likely to be the biggest meeting ever at the Wiltshire circuit, with Suzuki, Honda,Yamaha and Ducati all represented.
Superbikes are even more powerful for their weight than a Formula 1 car - so fast the circuit has had to build a new corner to slow the riders down. At a recent test it was estimated the leading riders will easily top 180 mph on the approach to Avon Rise and over 160 mph into Camp. It is here the new corner has been laid, forcing the bikes to slow to a somewhat safer pace.
The Honda team will be fielding its leading riders, Michael Rutter, Ryuichi Kiyonari and Karl Harris, the latter making his Superbike debut as a result of winning the British Supersports Championship.
Yamaha are expecting to bring along Gary Mason and Steve Plater although Tommy Hill could still make an appearance, whilst local team Jentin Racing from Stroud will be debuting Aussie Dean Thomas on their Yamaha R1.
ETI Ducati will be re-united with crowd favourite Sean Emmett. The Londoner gave ETI their only BSB win at Brands Hatch last year and will start one of the favourites.
Suzuki have nominated young Jon Kirkham and experienced Adam Hitchcock to ride their championship winning GSX R1000.
A number of local aces have also entered the Superbike race, including Yeovil's Martin Jessopp on his Riders of Bridgwater Ducati 999. Melksham's Steve Lake and Marlborough's Nick Pusey are both on Yamahas.
As well as the main Superbike attraction there is a whole weekend of other races and activities. The Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship round features none other than Steve Webster, the multiple world champion on his Team Castrol Suzuki with passenger, Paul Woodhead.
There are two races for the Clubman's Sound of Thunder-Pro Bike and Superstocks, again featuring Jessopp, Lake and Pusey as well as Bath's Mark Harland on a Kawasaki, Radstock's Rob Jones (Honda) and Bristolian's Paul Haggett and Drew Lovell,
Kawasaki and Ducati).
The races for Hornets-CB500-Formula 400 LC's and Powervalve feature Shepton Mallet's Alastair Fagan on the Branson Racing Hornet, with Glen Waterson from Weston Super Mare on an F400 Honda.
Formula 600 has Matthew Rostron from Chippenham on his Suzuki and Peter Wilson from Swindon on his Yamaha.
The 125 Grand Prix have Bristol's Mike Peglar, Chippenham's Ben Tye and Swindon's Matthew Whitman all on Hondas.
Away from the track action there will be plenty for spectators both to look at and to do.
Suzuki rider Yukio Kagayama, a particular crowd favourite, will be in attendance and signing autographs. He is unable to ride at the meeting as he is about to fly back to Japan for an operation.
Bristol based importer, Proton, is using the event to launch its new Gen 2 road car and will be displaying its 5 cylinder Moto GP Proton KR3 machine as ridden by Kurtis Roberts.
Amongst the multiple trade and other stands will be the new Playstation Dome, where spectators can emulate those on the track in complete safety, all free of charge.
Timings for the weekend's event are that practice starts at 09.00 am on Saturday with racing from 11.35 am with a Pre-race warm-up from 09.00 am and racing from 10.25 on Sunday.
Admission prices on Saturday are £8 for adults, with OAPs £4 and children and Paddock transfer free. Sunday's charges are £20 for adults, OAPs £10 with children 'FOC'. Paddock transfer is £5 all day.
