Photo: JCM Motorsport

Round four of the Hyundai/Molson series takes place this weekend (8-10 July) and boasts a near record grid with two former world champions lining up against the current British Champions and series leaders.

Clashes with world dates are now out of the way, and the field is clear for Tim Reeves/Greg Cluze, and Ben and Tom Birchall to make up lost ground in the domestic championship. Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood (Quattro Plant Cool Kawasaki) left Knockhill on top of the standings and a twenty-five point margin over Reeves who was in Hungary. Now fourth in the table, the Remse Racing Team E-Aide Motorsport crew will need to find the speed thus far lacking from their Yamaha on the ultra-fast Norfolk circuit. They will also encounter strong opposition from Ben Holland/Lee Watson (Hannafin Kawasaki) and Chris Walker/Ashley Hawes who find themselves second and third respectively in the chase after brilliant performances in Scotland. Holland took three victories and was chased home each time by the newcomers on their Santander Salt Kawasaki. Walker has found his feet much faster than anyone thought possible, and with so much learning still to do, the future looks very rosy indeed for the former BSB star.

Ben and Tom Birchall are joint leaders of the 600cc Cup with veteran Gordon Shand, who scooped a maximum on home ground in the absence of the Mansfield pair. Shand had stated that he is likely to contest more of the series, although at the time of writing, he was not entered for Snetterton. Five 600’s are on the list, including TT podium faces Alan Founds and Aki Aalto.

Local interest revolves around 2014 Champions Sean Hegarty/James Neave, another crew who go very well at Snetterton as does Ben Bygrave who made the podium at Brands Hatch. As yet to confirm the identity of his passenger, Bygrave is rumoured to be on the point of emigrating to New Zealand, so this could be the final time we see the talented East Anglian perform.

Other crews to watch include Gary Horspole/James Connell, Rupert Archer/Steve Thomas, Martin Kirk/Ben Hughes and Matt MacClaurin/Ady Hope. These four crews swapped paint at Knockhill and you can be sure the action between them will be every bit as intense at Snetterton.

Twenty-two outfits line up for two races each of twelve laps, one at mid-day on Saturday and the other late Sunday afternoon. The latter will be broadcast live on Eurosport with the Motors TV highlights show featuring both races sponsored by Midthern Flue Systems of Dudley for the third year running.