The Hyundai Heavy Industries British Sidecar Championship makes its first appearance at the famous Cadwell Park Circuit for six years, and is a very different animal since the last visit. The title sponsor was, back then, a local airline operating out of Humberside International Airport. The Eastern Airways Sidecar Championship has morphed into the hugely professional and slickly run series we have today.

Many things, as well as the title sponsor have changed, not least of all the inclusion of a 600cc Cup class, which mirrors the FIM World Championship regulations in terms of machinery. Ben and Tom Birchall (Mitchells of Mansfield Yamaha LCR), leaders of the World Series, arrive at Cadwell from Assen, fresh from maintaining their unbeaten world points scoring record.

On the home front, and in the 1000cc class, Kent brothers Tim and Tristan Reeves have achieved the same distinction, winning all fourteen races contested in the British Championship so far on their Carl Cox Motorsport Kawasaki.

Another new departure is the reverse grid regulation, which has spiced up the second race at all rounds, leaving the faster men to battle through the pack. This has provided huge entertainment, and not a little drama. Cadwell Park will be another interesting venue, with a fast first half-lap and then the tight woodland section to bunch everyone up.

You can be sure that the quick guys will try to get the job done before heading into the Hall Bends and the woods.

Defending Champions Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood (JG Speedfit Kawasaki) had a much better ride at Thruxton in the previous round, but still trail the leaders by one hundred and thirty-seven points. Mechanical and set-up problems have dogged them, but they seem to be getting those issues sorted.

Ben Holland, partnered by Tom Bryant at Cadwell in place of the injured Stuart Ramsay, was one of the teams involved in a huge crash at Thruxton which destroyed his Hannafin Kawasaki. In an effort to maintain his third place ahead of Steve Kershaw/Stuart Clark (Express Tyres/Blinkbonny Kawasaki), he plans to borrow an outfit to defend his position.

Kershaw smells an opportunity at Cadwell, and barring the mechanical woes plaguing him all season, will be going for it. He is one of the teams with the speed to take the fight to Tim Reeves. Add to this cocktail, the Santander Salt outfits campaigned by former BSB star Chris Walker/Asley Hawes and Gary Bryan/Phil Hyde, the ever charging Andy Peach with Ken Edwards, and you have a prospect to relish.

In the 600cc Cup class, Cadwell is a favourite circuit for rookie leader Todd Ellis who, with the experienced Charlie Richardson, will have to fend off an attack from the imperious Birchall Brothers. The gap between them is thirty-seven points, with Sam and Adam Christie sandwiched in the middle of this potential battle.

One race on Saturday and another on Sunday in the prime Live Eurosport TV slot, will guarantee huge audiences both trackside and at home.

Pete Founds & Jevan Walmsley

Gary Horspole & Jimmy Connell

Gary Bryan & Tom Bryant