SUNDAY'S race meeting at Lydden could prove crucial for many of the drivers in contention for the various championships organised by the South Eastern Motor Sport Enthusiasts Club.

The penultimate rounds are fought out over the tight and twisting Kent track.

Canterbury’s Gary Tidwell and his Swift-Renault SC94R dominated his last two races at Lydden so if he continues that trend he could overhaul Chris Chandler and Steve Gardiner and go to the top of the points table in the Single Seater Challenge series.

The saloon division of the Saloon and Sports Car Championship last year was a Craig family benefit with father Nigel, who lives at Elham, winning the Intermediate Saloons class and his son Stephen taking the Super Saloons category so they will need to score well on Sunday to defend those titles.

They will be racing in the SEMSEC championship round alongside their near-neighbour, Tony Skelton from Bladbean, who will also be driving his Barretts of Canterbury supercharged MINI Cooper S in the SE Sports & Saloon Challenge as well as the John Taylor Handicap event.

But two more drivers from the Canterbury area will also be bidding for victory in the same SEMSEC championship event.

Peter Thurston brings to the party his awesome 5 litre Escort Rover V8 while Tony Murray, a regular contender in the Caterham national championships makes a rare appearance at his home circuit.

And former rallycross star John Cross makes a welcome return to Lydden with his 5.7 V8 Ford Focus muscle car.

The action on Sunday starts with practice at 12.30pm, followed by the first of seven races 2.30pm.

The Lydden Circuit is on the A2, eight miles south of Canterbury. Admission is £8-00 (£6-00 for senior citizens). Parking, paddock and entry for accompanied children is free.