Brands Hatch is building up for one of its highlights of the season as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Kent for the summer ‘Big Brands Bash’ on the legendary Grand Prix circuit in under two weeks’ time.
Many of the world’s leading riders will be resuming their battle for the prestigious UK title.
The event marks the halfway point in the championship calendar and for local young guns Jake Dixon (Dover) and Bradley Ray (Ashford) it presents another opportunity to make their mark as they take on their more experienced opposition, including five-time champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne.
Dixon achieved a sensational double win at Knockhill last month as he claimed his first victory in the premier class for the RAF Reserves Kawasaki team. Now the 21-year-old is targeting another strong showing on home turf as he bids to catapult himself into the all-important top six in the standings and give himself a shot at the title.
Dixon said: “I can’t wait until Brands Hatch – the home round! The last round at Snetterton was OK for us because it was a good points’ haul which put us within four of the top six. I think before Knockhill I would have been happy with that, but now we should be pushing for podiums and that is what I want at Brands Hatch.
“I have always gone well at Brands Hatch in the Supersport and the Superstock 600 classes so I feel confident that we can be fighting for podiums again. For sure I really want to take the fight to Shakey and the guys!”
Equally impressive this season is Ray, who stepped up to the Superbike class at the start of the season with the Buildbase Suzuki team. The 20-year-old has already shown his talent, scoring his best result of the season with an eighth place at Brands Hatch earlier in the campaign, whilst regularly finishing ahead of his more experienced team-mates.
Ray said: “I am so excited for Brands Hatch, I love the circuit and as it’s my home round I just can’t wait to get started. I had my best result of the season on the Indy circuit earlier in the year and I feel that I have learnt so much more about the Superbike since then.
“The jump into the Superbike category wasn’t as big as I expected it to be and I feel as we get to this point of the season that I am really starting to get my head around it now; mainly the different style of riding and the power delivery. I feel like we have already achieved a lot over the opening rounds of the season.
“I love the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit, it has to be one of my favourites of the season and I really want to come away from the home round inside the top ten and if I can get a sniff of the top six then that would be a dream come true. I can’t wait to get started!”
The summer spectacular gets underway on Thursday 20 July with Monster Energy Fans’ Thursday – a free behind the scenes event with exclusive rider Q and As, pit walks and more. The action on track kicks off on the Friday, with MCE BSB Datatag qualifying on Saturday and main raceday on Sunday.
The MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Brands Hatch this July (21/22/23). For more information and to purchase discounted advance tickets please visit www.brandshatch.co.uk