THOUSANDS of motorsport fans are expected at Lydden Circuit this weekend for the British Superprix, the penultimate round of the Maxxis Supermotard European Championship.

The sport is a motorcycle equivalent of rallycross, featuring motocross-style bikes with road racing wheels and tyres. Teams from all over Europe will be competing in 450cc and 650cc classes.

The big names of the sport include Swiss champions Marcel Gotz and Dani Muller, leading French riders, including Alex Thiebault, Irishman Davy McKee, top Swedish rider Kenneth Bodingh, and British stars Christian Iddon, Leighton Haigh and Ady Smith.

Riders from other disciplines include triple TT winner John McGuiness, and British Superbike stars Glen Richards and Gary Mason.

The event will include a King of the Hill support race and among the entrants is Spencer Hearn, of Herne Bay, a consistent top 10 finisher in Supermotard series in Britain.

He said: “It will be one of the biggest international meetings held at Lydden. The racing surface is 75 per cent tarmac and the rest shale, and they have reversed the circuit for the event. Around the Devil’s Elbow they have cut through the bank so that you are going into the field and back again.”

Among his rivals will be Stephen Brindley, of Rochester, Steven Robb and Steve West (both Swanley), Nigel Stevens (Dover), Ian Barrett and Aaron Peacock (both Gillingham).

Practice will be from 9.30am, and qualifying 1.30pm, on Saturday, with racing from 12.30pm on Sunday.

Admission is by cash only, £8 for Saturday’s practice, qualifying and support races, £10 for Sunday, or £10 for the whole weekend. Children under 15 accompanied by an adult will be admitted free.