Following a dramatic Brands hatch round two weeks ago, at which the British Championship contenders demolished their FIM World series peers, the clear series leaders Ricky Stevens and Ryan Charlwood (AOS Be Wiser Kawasaki) are on local territory in Hampshire to defend their significant advantage.

Round Seven of the Hyundai Heavy Industries F1 Sidecar Championship in association with The Molson Group brings its colourful and entertaining action to the fastest circuit on the schedule. Runners up at Brands, and now fifth in the table, are fellow Southerners Ben Holland and Lee Watson (Finning Cat Kawasaki). They always go well at Thruxton and will be hell-bent on securing more podiums at the very least. Ahead of them in third, and with a proven record in Hampshire, is Marlborough’s Roger Lovelock and his Finnish passenger Aki Aalto. Their BMW is accepted as one of the fastest engines and will be a serious contender on home soil.

Kent’s Andy Peach/Charlie Richardson (L&W Contractors Kawasaki) are safely in second spot in the title chase, but after a strong ride at Brands ended in brake failure and an off-track excursion, they will have an eye on the top podium step as they endeavour to claw back points on the young guns ahead of them.

Making the long trek from North of the border, is the Express Tyres/Blinkbonny Kawasaki pair of Steve Kershaw/Rob Wilson. They are just a handful of points away from the third place they once held, and are more than determined to regain it. Still to taste victory in this championship, the Scots have been a real force this year, and are certainly race-winning material. Could Hampshire be the scene of that first win?

Other proven contenders for podium honours include Paymundo.com’s Tony Brown who has been using a variety of stand-in passengers whilst his regular partner Sam Christie heals from Snetterton injuries. Gary Horspole and Jimmy Connell, now fully recovered from a shoulder injury, distinguished themselves with a stunning sixth place at Brands, and will be very much in the mix too.

With three races on the programme over the weekend, there is a real chance for the table to change shape. Eurosport will capture the Sunday action for screening in their highlights show, with the usual dedicated package aired one week after the event on Motors TV. Television partners for the Motors TV show for Thruxton, are Brittany Ferries based in the South and South-West of the UK, serving cross-channel passengers to North-Western France from several UK ports.

The two and a half-mile Thruxton circuit has excellent spectator viewing areas and is always a popular venue with the crowds, who will also witness an action-packed and full British Superbike Championship race programme.