With the European round of the World Superbikes coming to Donington Park this coming weekend, it’s not just your Hagas and Biaggis who are looking forward to getting out on circuit.

Thundersport GB’s GP1 & Sound of Thunder riders are also getting a bit giddy at the prospect of riding in front of thousands at the East Midlands circuit.

With one support race on the Saturday and another Sunday, the likes of Gary May and Rob Elsmere, who have so far been the leading pair for the majority of the season, get show off their skills to the real big boys and even compare their times with the World Superbike big guns.

May, who currently leads the Championship by 80 points, could put a stranglehold on the title if he were to follow the form he had at Pembrey into Donington. Rival Elsmere will know he needs to be on top of his game if he wants any chance of pressuring Gary.

With plenty of familiar names listed on the grid, I caught up with two riders that are attending the round to see what their thoughts are on being in a support race at a World Superbike event, recent podium visitor Jamie Wilkins and Sarah Jordan.

"There’s no doubt that the WSB support races will be the highlight in the GP1/SoT calendar. Our races are always fast and fierce - Donington will give us a massive crowd to show what ThundersportGB is about, and that Britain’s famous ability in Superbike racing has deep roots," said Wilkins.

"For the riders it will be a huge buzz to fight in front of so many people. We have Donington’s famous traffic woes to thank for keeping lots of people back at the end of each day to watch our races. The sense of occasion will be huge. No matter how focused you are on the race, it will be impossible not to feel the extra buzz.

"Personally, it couldn’t come at a better time: Pembrey was my best weekend yet, I scored my first podium, ditched my novice bib (after eight years!), and finished my testing of all the supersport tyres for the mag. Donington is one of my favourite tracks in the world and I’ll be on slicks for the first time. The races will be tough, with a big grid of Thundersport’s best, but I’ll be aiming high (ish). I absolutely cannot wait."

Sarah Jordan added: " It’s been a great season so far and one of the highlights had to be riding in the UK’s first ever Ladies’ race, amongst stiff female competition it was a great day for girls and to be on the podium on Sunday behind the super quick Jenny Tinmouth was amazing.

"2008 has been a year to remember and having ridden at the Brands Hatch GP BSB meeting for which my normal championship class was a support race, and now having an opportunity to race within the World Superbike meeting is a real dream. I just am going to keep my fingers crossed for a good qualifying even though I have never raced on the full GP circuit before. I will enjoy it no matter what happens."

So Thundersport GB’s successful debut year has another memorable moment on the calendar for both the Series and the riders/teams themselves. I for one am looking forward to joining Fred Clarke in the commentator’s box and seeing the drama unfold around the superb Donington Park GP circuit.