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02

WelcomeT

his is RiDE’s guide to the 2012 MCE British Superbike Championship.

Widely regarded as the most fiercely contested domestic motorcycle racing championship in the world, this year’s

MCE British Superbike Championship sees an influx of new teams, world-class riders from around the globe and a new machine formula, all promising to make 2012 a vintage year for British motorcycle racing.

Tommy Hill will be looking to retain his number one plate for Shaun Muir’s Swan Yamaha team but he’s going to have his work cut out.

While Hill’s main adversary, John Hopkins and the Crescent Suzuki team, have departed to race in World Superbikes, the cost-saving rule changes have encouraged new teams to sign up, with Paul Bird’s Kawasaki squad and Padgetts Honda making a return to the blue riband class along with new entries from Supersonic BMW and GB Moto Honda.

Fans’ favourite Noriyuki Haga joins the series as Hill’s team-mate while fellow World Superbike refugees Luca Scassa, Alex Polita and Florian Marino add a real European flavour for 2012. They’re all joined by former 250 GP and World Supersport winner Anthony West, who enters the fray after two seasons spent racing in the Moto2 championship.

And we’ve not even started on the Brits yet! While Tommy Hill must start the year as hot favourite in his second term with his championship-winning Swan Yamaha team, former double BSB champion Shane Byrne, reunited with the PBM team that took

WHO’S RIDING WHAT?Team Riders

Swan YamahaTommy Hill #1, Noriyuki Haga #41

Rapid Solicitors Kawasaki

Shane Byrne #67, Stuart Easton #3

Tyco by Tas Suzuki

Josh Brookes #2, Alastair Seeley #34

WFR HondaGraeme Gowland #81, James Westmoreland #27, Alex Lowes #22

Honda Racing Michael Laverty #7, Jon Kirkham #10

GB Moto Racing Honda

Tristan Palmer #33, Luke Quigley #51

PR Racing Kawasaki

Gary Mason #101

Hawk Buildbase BMW

Dan Linfoot #19, Barry Burrell #77

Splitlath-Redmond Aprilia

John Laverty #14, Florian Marino #21

PR1MO Bournemouth Kawasaki

Chris Walker #9, James Hillier #37

MSS Kawasaki Michael Rutter #4, Peter Hickman #60

Moto Rapido Racing Ducati

Scott Smart #88, Abdulaziz Binladin #36

Supersonic BMW Anthony West #13, Patrick Muff #24

Padgetts HondaLuca Scassa #99, Ian Lowry #5

Jentin Doodson Ducati

Alex Polita #53, Tom Tunstall #20

Quay Garage Honda

Riders to be announced

WSB legend ‘Nitro’ Nori Haga will be competing in BSB this season

03

him to the first of his two titles, will push him hard.Stuart Easton lines up with Byrne and, coming

back from serious injuries sustained at the North West 200 last year, will be keen to make an impression.

Rule changes that no longer allow rider aids such as traction control and anti-wheelie will favour many of the riders who haven’t been fortunate enough to benefit from the top-end systems used by the factory teams.

With 11 rounds held all over the UK, there’s bound to be an event close to you. In this 16-page special we’ll show you how to get the best from one of the best motorcycling weekends in the UK.

And if you fancy making it a race weekend to remember, then why not take in the round at Assen, which is being held from September 21 - 23. It’s the first time a round has been held abroad since Mondello in Ireland in 2007. It’s closer than you think.

2012 CALENDARRound 1 Brands Hatch Indy April 6-9

Round 2 Thruxton April 13-15

Round 3 Oulton Park May 5-7

Round 4 Snetterton 300 May 25-27

Round 5 Knockhill June 22-24

Round 6 Oulton Park July 6-8

Round 7 Brands Hatch GP July 20-22

Round 8 Cadwell Park August 25-27

Round 9 Donington Park September 7-9

Showdown

Round 10 TT Circuit Assen September 21-23

Round 11 Silverstone Arena GP September 28-30

Round 12 Brands Hatch GP October 12-14


04

Essential camping guideAn MCE British Superbike Championship weekend isn’t all about race day. Some people would even say that much of it isn’t even about the bikes!

Hundreds of fans make a long weekend of it and arrive in and around the circuit at various campsites late on the Thursday night or early Friday morning before practice.

Arriving in time to catch Friday’s first free practice is a great idea as not only will you get to see a three full days of track action, but it’s also the day when many of the riders are more relaxed and the vibe in the paddock is a lot less tense – an ideal time to meet your idols and to get those race programmes signed.

Away from the track, the evenings tend to be filled with barbecues and beer, often with live bands and even fairground attractions at certain events. If you’re looking for a weekend crammed with bikes, racing and like-minded people then you need to make sure that 2012 is the year you enjoy an MCE British Superbike Championship weekender.

For the uninitiated the prospect of riding a motorcycle with all the necessary camping paraphernalia can be a little off-putting. But there are ways and means. We’ve gathered together some of the best – and most easily portable – pieces of essential camping kit listed right here.

TentColeman make some great kit that’s ideal for carrying on a motorcycle. The Phact X2 two-man tent costs around £90 – over a whole season that could be as little as £2.50 per night! Designed for backpacking, it’s easy to erect, has enough room for you and your kit and packs up small enough to be carried easily on the back of your bike.Tent: Coleman Phact X2 £89.99 www.coleman.eu/UK

Sleeping bagChoosing a decent pitch is a good start for a good night’s sleep. Avoid lumps and bumps and go for flat soft grassy areas where

you can. A well-padded sleeping bag will help but you’ll need a sleeping mat to ensure comfort and to insulate you from the ground – it can get chilly at night, even in June.Sleeping bag: Coleman Biker £39.99 www.coleman.eu/UKGround mat: Multimat Comfort 38 £49.99 www.multimat.uk.com

LightIt will get dark and you will get stressed trying to sort yourself out after a long ride to the campsite. A head-torch is essential for setting up while a lantern is a must-have for the rest of the night. Modern LED technology means that you can have

an efficient light source for the entire weekend. Head torch: Energizer 4 LED Headlight £11.99www.argos.co.uk Lantern: Coleman Exponent Pack-Away Lantern £19.99www.coleman.eu/UK

PackingThe golden rule here is not to get carried away – most circuits have shops on site or nearby, so only take the bare essentials. A good set of soft panniers should hold all you’ll need for a weekend, leaving the back seat free for the tent and sleeping bag.Kriega produce brilliant waterproof bike packs – we highly recommend their kit.

Luggage: Kriega UScombo 70 DryBag Rucksack: Kriega R35 £129.99www.kriega.com

Self-cateringOf course you can have a weekend of van-burgers and takeaways but it’ll cost you. Disposable barbecues are a good option and are often available from nearby petrol stations. Modern gas stoves are the best solution, though. They’re tiny and easy to carry, meaning you can make a brew or even knock up a full English. Self-sufficiency has never been so easy.Gas stove: Halfords single ring stove £14.99

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The golden rule here is not to get carried away. Most circuits have

shops on site or nearby, so only take the bare essentials


06

BRANDS HATCHFawkham, Kent, DA3 8NG www.brandshatch.co.uk

ROUNDS: 1, 7, 12 DATES: April 6-9; July 20-22 October 12-14With no fewer than three rounds scheduled for Brands Hatch, if you live in the south east then you’re spoiled for choice with rounds in April, July and October all taking place at the historic Kent circuit.

The short Indy circuit is contained within a natural amphitheatre making it arguably the best circuit for spectators – almost the entire track visible from the large grandstands towering over the

notorious Paddock Hill Bend on the start/finish straight. The longer GP circuit sees the riders head out into the woodland section of the circuit through flowing, high-speed corners – expect to witness two-wheeled drifts through Hawthorn, Westfield and Sheene Curve as riders fight for the drive between turns.

Racing is usually frenetic with plenty of overtaking opportunities on the GP circuit but fewer on the Indy circuit – expect plenty of do-or-die manoeuvres on the

brakes into Paddock Hill and Druids Bend.

Amenities are excellent throughout this superb facility and extend to the campsite with plenty of showers and toilets provided along with power hook-ups for caravans and motorhomes. As with all MSV circuits (Brands, Snetterton, Oulton Park and Cadwell Park) grabbing a pitch works on a first-come-first-served basis, so it’s best to arrive early.Weekend camping ticket –advance booking online: £16 on the gate: £25

A GREAT RIDE NEAR BRANDS HATCHA20/A225/A25/A22/A264/A228/B2016/A25/A227/A20

While there are a myriad of beautiful roads traversing the North Downs all offering stunning views across the rolling Kent countryside, this particular part of the Garden of England is great for steadier jaunts where it’s all about taking in the surroundings and enjoying the ride.

Brands Hatch’s immediate surrounding area suffers the same dense population as the rest of the southeast so finding a traffic-lite route is never easy.

But that’s not to say it’s impossible. Take a right out of the circuit and head towards Eynsford. Follow this cracking bit of road right through to Otford.

Just before Sevenoaks, hook a right onto the A25

and follow it past Godstone golf course before turning left on the A22 towards East Grinstead.

This brings you onto the real gem of the ride. The A264 to Tunbridge Wells is a road blessed with great bends and elevation changes. Time it right, and you’ll have a real blast – a

crack of dawn ride could be just the tonic before the track action kicks off. From Tunbridge Wells you can nip back via Tonbridge or Sevenoaks or enjoy the rest of this mixed 71.3mile ride via East Peckham and Borough Green.

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE

WELLS

EYNSFORDCROYDON

WARLINGHAM

COPTHORNE

MILEBUSH

MAIDSTONE

HALE ST

BOROUGH GREEN

BRANDS HATCH

WESTERHAM

GODSTONE

EAST GRINSTEAD

OTFORD

CHATHAM

2 miles

5km

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THRUXTON Andover, Hampshire, SP11 8PW www.thruxtonracing.co.uk

ROUND: 2 DATES: April 13-15There are two types of weather at Thruxton. Gale force winds and sideways rain or spring sunshine with the kind of strength that’ll have you reaching for the factor 20.

Either way, this flat, ultra-fast airfield circuit is well worth a visit. Despite the vast size of the site, the paddock is fairly small which creates something of a club atmosphere and makes many of the top riders very accessible to fans.

At the slowest point of a

track that boasts a BSB lap record average speed of over 113mph is the Club Chicane. One of the best vantage points (particularly if it’s raining) along with the circuit’s only grandstand means you’ll be perfectly placed to see riders dice with each other on the brakes hauling down from speeds approaching 200mph before flicking right, left, right and over the finish line cranked over and often with smoke coming off the rear Pirelli as they fight it out to the line.

On a sunny day there’s little

to beat watching the action from the grass banking that runs all the way from Allard, past the complex and on to the exit of Segrave.

There is plenty of onsite camping available at a very reasonable £5 per adult per night, and while there are no power hook-ups we’ve been assured assured that there will be plenty of toilet and shower facilities. Payment is taken on the gate and there is no way of pre-booking – just turn up and pay.Camping: £5 per adult per night

A GREAT RIDE NEAR THRUXTONA303/ A345/A4361/B4005/A346/A342

There’s a great choice of roads to ride in the area, just expect a high police presence at this round. To be fair, the policing is generally helpful with the traffic flow. During the quieter hours, not only will they set up speed traps, but they will also patrol the bike park looking for dodgy number-plates and any other illegal extras. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.

If you do fancy a blast, though head out onto the A303 to Amesbury and then pick up the A345 north towards Upavon. From there you can choose to stay on the A345 towards Pewsey before heading left on the A4 towards Calne or cut the corner off to get to on the A4361 towards Wroughton.

Turn right onto the B4005 for a few miles into Chiseldon. Then it’s a run down the A346 through Marlborough towards Ludgershall before the last leg down the A342 and following the brown signs back to the circuit.

For the many arriving from the north, out favourite cross-country escape from the boredom of the motorway is a blast down the A343 from Newbury into Andover – it should mean that you arrive ready to set-up camp with a smile.

CHISELDONWROUGHTON

BULFORD

UPAVON

AVEBURY

STANTON ST BERNARD MARLBOROUGH

THRUXTON

ALDBOURNE

GREATBEDWYN

PEWSEY

2 miles

5km


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OULTON PARKTarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9BWwww.oultonpark.co.uk

ROUNDS: 3, 6DATES: May 5-7; July 6-8Oulton Park has played host to two rounds of the MCE British Superbike Championship for a number of years. And with very good reason.

A real favourite with the riders, this fast, undulating circuit set in a stunning woodland park presents riders with every type of challenge.

Blind, curved crests see riders steering on the rear wheel, cranked over with the front wheel in the air.

Fast, cambered corners

allow incredible corner entry speeds that have to be seen to be believed, while two tricky chicanes test the riders’ ability on the brakes along with their physical endurance. Oulton Park is known for sorting out the men from the boys.

While there are no grandstands, the thousands of spectators who turn up to take in the action are spoiled for choice and pretty much anywhere around the circuit offers excellent viewing.

For dramatic last-lap lunges choose Lodge Corner or head

to Hizzy’s Chicane to see the riders wheelie over Hill Top before braking hard, often three abreast and very, very sideways.

Oulton is a park in the truest sense so there’s loads of room available for onsite camping. There’s also a cracking bar, loads of trade stands and a funfair.

If you only visit one circuit all year, we can highly recommend a trip to this fantastic Cheshire venue.Weekend camping ticket –advance booking online: £16 on the gate: £25

A GREAT RIDE NEAR OULTON PARKHead east or west for some of the UK’s best roads

Most of the roads near the circuit are either traffic-heavy main roads with low speed limits or pot-holed farm tracks covered in cow and sheep dung. Not exactly two-wheeled nirvana, then.

However, as many of the Peak District’s best roads are just an hour away to the east, if you’re travelling more than a few miles then making a full weekend of it – or even turning the trip into a biking holiday – and taking the opportunity to visit this motorcycling Mecca while you’re in the area should be food for thought. Starting just outside of Macclesfield, the famous Cat and Fiddle is heavily policed (but still fun to ride at legal speeds) and Matlock Bath’s numerous

cafés and bars are all very biker friendly thanks to a history of weekend bike meets that have the main street looking for all the world like a bike show.

Similarly, a 90-minute ride will have you headed in the opposite direction into the beautiful Snowdonia

Park. Ride in via Betws-y-Coed and prepare to be dazzled by spectacular scenery and some of the best roads anywhere in the UK.

Getting to explore this part of North Wales by motorcycle is worth the weekend ticket price alone.

2 miles

5km OULTON PARK

WREXHAM

RUABONWHITCHURCH

CHESTER

ROSSETT

BANGOR-ON-DEE

A41

LEESWOOD

HORSESHOE PASS LLANDEGLA

NANTWICH

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KNOCKHILLDunfermline, Fife, KY12 9TFwww.knockhill.com

ROUND: 5 DATES: July 22-24The most northerly round on the MCE BSB calendar, there’s a whole lot going on in each and every circulation of the 1.3-mile Knockhill circuit.

The elevation changes and flowing turns with varying degrees of positive and negative camber make this a real rollercoaster and many of the riders absolutely love the place. Tommy Hill is one such rider – he took a double win last year on his Swan Yamaha.

Local riders can become heroes here, too. Expect to

see Stuart Easton on the podium along with plenty of other Scottish riders punching above their weight in the support classes.

Thanks to the topography of the venue, Knockhill is a great place for spectators. The infield has a huge hill in the middle, from the top of which you can see the whole circuit.

The grandstand at the Real Radio Hairpin is a great vantage point for last-lap shenanigans while Niall Mackenzie’s advice is to make sure you watch at least one race start from Seat Curves

– the sight of 30-odd riders pouring down the hill on the first lap is a sight the triple British Superbike Champion promises you’ll never forget.

Camping: £20 for Friday and Saturday night per person, £20 supplement for caravans, £52 for a weekend pass to include camping and circuit entry (£36 for students and OAPs)

A GREAT RIDE NEAR KNOCKHILLA823/A977/A823/A9/A822/A826/A827/A85/A82/A86/A9/A823

While Scotland couldn’t possibly lay claim to the best race circuit in the UK, it could be argued that it’s home to the best roads.

The complete ride should take you most of the day as it’s pretty pointless being among some of the most spectacular scenery in Western Europe without making a little time to enjoy it. Even if you just ride to Crianlarich or Strathmashie and back, you’ll be glad you did, but we’d really recommend taking a day to enjoy this fantastic ride in full.

Leave the circuit and head off towards Gleneagles on the A823. Then, follow signs for Perth on the A977, pick up the A9 for a short blast past Bankfoot before turning left

onto the Old Military Road and heading up towards Aberfeldy which is where this ride turns from amazing to breathtaking.

Ride along Loch Tay down the A827 and then follow the signs that take you to Crianlarich on the edge of the Trossachs National Park. Head north out of

Crianlarich on the A82 for a shade over fifty miles all the way to Fort William.

Stay on the A82 and then take the A86 past Loch Laggan towards Strathmashie before looping back south on the A889 and onto the A9 for the return leg back to the circuit via Gleneagles.

2 miles

5kmOULTON

PARK

WREXHAM

RUABONWHITCHURCH

CHESTER

ROSSETT

BANGOR-ON-DEE

A41

LEESWOOD

HORSESHOE PASS LLANDEGLA

NANTWICH


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SNETTERTON 300Norwich, Norfolk, NR16 2JU www.snetterton.co.uk

ROUND: 4 DATES: May 25-27This ultra-fast wartime airfield circuit was externsively redesigned last year, increasing the length and the number of top spectator spots.

The new infield section adds five new corners that bring a new dimension to a circuit that was once considered by many to be really fast but a bit boring.

Well not any more. The new section involves a lot of heavy braking and hard acceleration that should really test the

riders’ fitness. Machine set-up for the

circuit is also much harder for the teams to get right. Not only are there more corners, there’s a bigger variance in radius, meaning that gearing is always a compromise and the mix of slow and fast sections makes the perfect suspension setting something of a holy grail.

For the spectator this makes for great racing, with the best riders really coming to the fore as they adapt to any machine compromises.

Tyre life is also often an

issue thanks to the high speeds and hard acceleration so, in a season without traction control, the last few laps of each race will be a genuine test of throttle control. It promises to be a great show for anyone lucky enough to be watching.

Camping facilities are up to the usual high MSV standard, with live music creating a fun atmosphere in Tyrells Bar, which is located opposite the pit lane.Weekend camping ticket – advance booking online: £16 on the gate: £25

A GREAT RIDE NEAR SNETTERTONA11/B113/B1135/B1527/B1332/A140

For a cracking 40-mile ride, head out of the circuit and turn left, then head towards Norwich on the A11. Come off the dual carriageway after a mile and onto Hargham Road towards Old Buckenham. Turn right onto the B1077, then left onto the B1113 through New Buckenham before keeping an eye for signs for the B1135. Follow this road for a few miles until you get to the A140, signed for Norwich. About two miles along this road on the left is Seastar Superbikes, a Ducati and Kawasaki main dealer and an ideal stop-off point for a coffee and a drool over the latest offerings from Bologna and Hamamatsu.

Seastar also have a superb dyno facility so it

could be an ideal time to get booked in for a run.

Taking the same route back is an option you’ll find hard to resist, but depending on how much time you have to spare, you may choose to have a mooch round Norwich city centre, enjoy a break from

the hubbub of the track among the tranquility of Thetford Forest or even take a run to the coast via the famous Norfolk Broads.

ATTLEBOROUGH

1 mile

2km

SNETTERTON

OLD BUCKENHAM NEW

BUCKENHAM

B113

NEWTON FLOTMAN

ECCLES

BANHAM

FORNCETT ST MARY

A140WACTON

WRENINGHAMA11GREAT ELLINGHAM

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CADWELL PARKLouth, Lincolnshire, LN11 9SEwww.cadwellpark.co.uk

ROUND: 8 DATES: August 25-27Once again staking its traditional place in the MCE British Superbike Championship calendar, there’s no better place to be August Bank Holiday weekend than Cadwell Park.

Set in woodland in the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, this undulating 2.25-mile circuit promises breathtaking action, close racing and the unique sight of £75,000 Superbikes leaping like motocross bikes over the Mountain as the riders head into the woods.

Riders to watch here include Josh Brookes Shane Byrne, Anthony West and Noriyuki Haga – all are masters of the spectacular and are well known for the odd bit of showboating during free practice.

Part of Cadwell’s brilliance is its shape. Built in a valley with some of the best corners set onto hillsides, viewing is excellent. It’s also a place that rewards smooth, precise riders.

The narrow track means that running wide in a turn is simply not an option and

overtaking moves need to be well timed and well executed to avoid disaster.

Camping in this beautiful setting is a treat and although there are no financial savings to made by booking online, it is recommended to save time at the gate – Cadwell shares the honour of being the most well-attended round of the year with Brands Hatch, and with only one route in and out of the circuit, it pays to plan ahead.Weekend camping ticket –advance booking online: £22 on the gate: £22

A GREAT RIDE NEAR CADWELL PARKA16/A157/B1200/A1031/B1201/A18/B1203/B1202/A158/A153

There are some great roads around Lincolnshire – and the police are well aware of the fact. However, some of the best riding in the area is on national speed limit roads with corners you’ll struggle to get round if you’re speeding. In other words, there are plenty of opportunities for knee-down antics without breaking the law.

Head out of the circuit and turn right onto the A153 towards Louth. When you reach the A16, take a right and follow the B1200 all the way to the A1031 for great views of the North Sea as it feeds the mouth of the Humber.

From here, follow signs for North Thoresby along the B1201 before crossing the A16 and turning right

onto the A18 for a couple of miles before jumping on the B1203 for a fun blast down to Market Rasen.

Out of Rasen, it’s a twisty route down the brilliant B1202 that combines sharp hairpins and doglegs with fast sweepers all the way to Wragby.

The final part of the route takes a jaunt down the A158, shortcutting across the top of Horncastle Golf Course, onto the A153 and back into the circuit.

CADWELL PARK

KENWICK HALL RAITHBY CUM

MALTBY

SALTFLEETBYST CLEMENTS

NORTH SOMERCOTES

THE WHITE HORSE, SEA DYKE WAY,

GRIMSBYNORTH

THORESBY

B1203

BINBROOK

MARKET RASEN

WRAGBY

A46

A158

OWERSBY MOOR

LOUTH

DRIBY TOP

MABLETHORPE

NORTH SEA

2 miles

5km


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DONINGTON PARKCastle Donington, Derbyshire, DE74 2RPwww.donington-park.co.uk

ROUND: 9 DATES: September 7-9Donington plays host to the final round of the main championship.

With only the top six riders going through to the Showdown contested over the final three rounds, you can expect to see plenty of do-or-die maneouvres as the riders on the fringes try to make the cut. Similarly, riders already assured of a Showdown place may either ride conservatively or take a nothing-to-lose attitude – personalities and racing spirit

may well come to the fore here.

Riders love the circuit. Mechanics hate it. Super-fast and flowing through Craner Curves, Schwantz Curve and all the way through Coppice before the point and squirt Melbourne Loop and Goddards section, machine set-up is never easy, and big, bike-destroying crashes in practice and qualifying are common although severe injuries aren’t, thanks to the massive run-off area.

Spectating has been improved, though large run-off

and a distant view on the faster part of the circuit go hand in hand. For a closer view of the action, try watching at Fogarty Esses, Melbourne Loop or at Redgate, particularly on the first lap as the riders jostle for position.

Facilities are excellent and camping is available though places are limited. Book early and receive a discount of around 10 per cent.Weekend camping ticket: Check online nearer the time but it’s likely to be in the region of £40

A GREAT RIDE NEAR DONINGTON PARKA453/A6/A6006/A6/A453

Donington Park isn’t too far away from the southern side of the Peak District National Park so a day trip isn’t out of the question with Ashbourne just 26 miles or 45 minutes away.

But there are plenty of other roads to choose from in the area, with one of our particular favourites taking us all the way to the famous pork pie town of Melton Mowbray in neighbouring Leicestershire.

From the circuit, head towards the M1 via the A453 and follow signs to Kegworth. After a short stint south on the A6, keep an eye out for the A6006 signed for Rempstone and Melton. Once past Wymeswold, you can choose to either stay on the A6006 or use the A606 –

both are great routes that include a heady mix of fast bends and smooth, grippy Tarmac. Time it right and you can enjoy a fun thrash down to this old market town, nab a few delicious pork pies and head back to the circuit to enjoy the ride all over again.

2 miles

5km

DONINGTON

KEGWORTH

ZOUCH WYMESWOLD

MELTON MOWBRAY

UPPERBROUGHTON

BINGHAM

BARROWBY

NOTTINGHAMILKESON

KEYWORTH

LOUGHBOROUGH

A46

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SILVERSTONETowcester, Northamptonshire, NN12 8TNwww.silverstone.co.uk

ROUND: 11 DATES: September 28-30Until very recently, Silverstone was one of the riders’ least favourite circuits. Massive changes to what is fast becoming one of the best facilities anywhere in Europe have changed all of that, transforming both the circuit and the riders’ opinions – the 3.6-mile home to the British Formula 1 Grand Prix is fast becoming a favourite with riders and the thousands of fans who turn up to cheer on their heroes.

Fast, flowing and with the

biggest lap in Britain, being quick here requires massive concentration, sublime machine control, pinpoint accuracy… and of course a very fast bike.

Last year’s rain took the shine off what should have been a glorious September weekend, so be prepared to get wet. And when it rains here, it gets very wet.

The track surface is challenging for riders – the older parts of the circuit offer precious little grip in the wet while the new surface is the polar opposite.

The circuit is also quite bumpy, so the suspension and tyres get worked hard further adding to the race engineers’ problems.

What this means for spectators, though, is lots of really close racing, lots of rear wheel steering and fierce overtaking, often five abreast thanks to the huge width of the track.

As usual at Silverstone, there’s plenty of action off track too, with a host of entertainment, live music and trader stands lined up.Weekend camping ticket: £40

A GREAT RIDE NEAR SILVERSTONE413/A422/A5/A45/A361/A422/A43

Leave the circuit, turn right and go over the A43 dual carriageway towards Silverstone village. Follow the A413 that runs alongside the A43 to the roundabout and then follow signs for Whittlebury and Buckingham.

Stay on the A413 all the way to Buckingham and then take the A422 towards Old Stratford on the peripheries of Milton Keynes.

Take a left onto the A5 and follow this arrow-straight part of the beautiful Fosse Way all the way to Weedon Bec before heading towards Daventry on the A45. Go left at the roundabout as you approach the town centre and pick up the A361 all the way to the junction of

the M40 and the A422. These last two roads really make the ride. Dodge the motorway and head for Brackley on the A422 before picking up the A43 for the short blast back to the circuit. If you have plenty of time, stay on the A422 back to Buckingham

and reverse the route back through Whittlebury.

A413

SILVERSTONE

A422

WATLING ST/A5

HIGH ST/A45

BYFIELD

STOWE

MIDDLETON CHENEY

NORTHAMPTONSOUTHAM

M40

BANBURYMILTON KEYNES

NEWPORT PAGNELL

HACKLETON

2 miles

5km


14

ASSENDe Haar 9, 9405 TE Assen, Hollandwww.tt-assen.com/en

ROUND: 10 DATES: September 21-23With the exception of Mondello Park in Ireland, this will be the first time the MCE British Superbike Championship has crossed a stretch of water to extend its already excellent range of circuits.

Assen has been a hit with British fans for decades, with the short trip across the North Sea becoming a tradition thanks in part to the success of a Carl Fogarty at the Dutch track during his years in World Superbikes. Known by many

as the Cathedral of Speed, Assen is fast, flowing and a joy to ride. The last few corners are taken near flat out from Duikersloot all the way through Meeuwenmeer and Hoge Heide and back to the chicane before the start finish line.

The layout means that close racing is pretty much guaranteed; an elbow-to-elbow, five-rider dice for the win isn’t uncommon in any of the classes.

Assen shares similar latitude to Donington and Cadwell Park so the weather

is very British. English is widely spoken so

it’s unlikely you’ll have too many problems with communication. Head for Groningen just 20 miles north of the track for a lively night out full of traditional Dutch delights.Camping: Keep an eye on the website nearer the time for details.Or to keep things really simple, buy a £399 package tour from MCI: www.mcitours.com

ASSEN: IT’S EASIER TO GET THERE THAN YOU THINKAssen is situated some 115 miles north east of Amsterdam, 150 miles from the Hook of Holland and 300 miles from Calais. For many of the UK’s population, it’s closer than Knockhill, for some it’s even closer than Oulton park.Getting over couldn’t be easier. If you live in the south of England then you can hop across the channel from Dover to Calais for just £43 return if you book early enough.

For those of you in the Midlands, the Harwich to Hook of Holland overnight ferry is brilliant. Arrive in the evening, get a good night’s sleep and arrive bright and early for the two-and-a half-hour ride to the track. This costs £126 return with a cabin.

For those in the north of the country, Hull to Hook of

Holland is the route to go for, again with an overnight journey. This will set you

back £245 and includes a two-bunk cabin with no extra cost for a passenger.

ASSEN

DOVER

HARWICH

BELGIUM

GERMANY

UK

HOLLAND

HOOK OF HOLLAND

CALAIS

AMSTERDAM

ARNHEMIPSWICH

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA

BRUSSELSCOLOGNE

MŬNSTER

DEN HELDER

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