Brands Hatch Indy Circuit is most definitely a one that will emphasise any shortfall in performance…. handling…. and dare I say rider ability. The nature of the track means that just half a second a lap is very hard to pull back. Druids… Surtees… Cooper… and Clearways are iconic names in British motorsport and the riders here relish the chance to ride this 1.35mile circuit.

It’s never easy to predict winners or one’s to watch at the best of times, but meeting one of any year is always more of a challenge. Yes the 2011 form-book will give us a few clues, but there are always a few surprises. Many of last years champions are back, but some have moved classes and will relish the challenge, but this early in the season it’s all about who can get in the racing groove the quickest. Many riders will have gone over to France or Spain for some pre-season testing..... but can that really prepare you for Brands Hatch in mid March !!!. This weekend is show if the pre season testing and all the hours of preparation in the garage have paid off…..only now will they find out.

250 GP ACU National Championship

Again NG Road Racing has secured the rights to run the 250cc GP ACU National championship, and this year it looks like it could well be a fight between youth and experience. Young Daniel Jackson came of age on his TZ250 last year and must start the season as a favourite. However he must first overcome the vastly experienced Darrell Higgins, who is similarly TZ mounted and has gone well in pre season testing. Keep an eye out too for Dave Hampton, the former NG 250 Cup winner has been tipped to be a serious challenger this year. Bad news for the series this year at this stage is that 2011 champion Ant Hodson is still searching for a competitive ride and time is running out,

Phoenix Open

Phoenix Yamaha in Trowbridge, Wiltshire are once more the title sponsors for this the Club’s Premier class, historically this is where the fastest riders congregate on the grid to find out who is the best of the best. Phil Bevan has won this championship four times out of the last five years, can anyone take the fight to him this year.... maybe Michael Blank on his new ZX10, or last years runner up Roo Cotton on his R1 could step up. Favourite for this round though must be Jonathan Howarth on his ZX 10 Kawasaki, he is after all, the current outright NG lap record holder here

NG Championships

As I have already said round one throws up many surprises and interesting prospects, and predictions are very difficult but there is a lot to whet the appitite this weekend. Kyle Ryde the curent 125cc British Champion is debuting his all new Moto 3 Honda. Plus we still have have a host of 125’s Headed up by Taryn Taylor, Arnie Shelton and Sam Burman. The Formula 125 class has thrown up some exiting prospects in the past few years and Jake Archer on his 80cc Herbi looks to be the next to add his name to the list. Shannon Hale is out to retain her Formula 400 title and was going well in early season tests on her ZXR 400.

As ever the 600cc class is for the fast and the brave. To pick a winner would be foolish, but I can point you towards Dan Cooper on his new GSXR, Daniel Frear on the CBR Honda, Jody Lees on his R6 and William Leaning on a 675 Triumph for likely front runners. On the Powerbikes the formbook would mark out Jonathan Howarth on his big Kawasaki, but when the lights change Michael Blank, Roo Cotton and the rest will not be far away.

Sebastian Kelly and Ben Cole look the pick of the Mini Twins riders as we go to press in the SV650 dominated series, on Dave Matchett rides anything but the Suzuki as he has plumped for Kawasaki’s promising ER6F. Former streetstock champion on an R1 has taken a year out but returns this term on a GP45 Kawasaki, hoping to challenge last years top men, Chris Harrison and Mattew Andrew.

Talking of the streetstocks, the class looks to have undergone a major shakeup over the winter, but expect Simon O’Donnell and Garry Johnson to make the breakthough to being regular front runners in the 1300cc class. On the 600’s Dean Richards was in storming form at the end on 2011 and has gone very well in winter testing so will be the target man there.

Adam Jeffery is aiming to make it a hat-trick of pre injection pre 2001 chapionships on his R1 but Michael Hobbs has already stated that he aims to he a serious challenger this year. Adam has the experience to get the job done so it’s up to the rest to up their game.

This meetings sidecar grid is packed full of talent headed by Ben Holland/Lee Watson and Simon Gilbert/Jon Allum, both are regular front runners in the UK and europe, and I will stick my neck out now and say tht this weekend (....weather permitting) the sidecar lap record will fall.

So with 20 races each day and over 200 riders keen and eagre to kick off 2012 this meeting is sure to get the season off to a flying start.

Keep an eye on .......

Normally I would suggest a rider to watch out for, but I am going to have to go for a grid of them this time, as the Sound of Thunder entry list is packed full of race winning talent on some very exotic machinery. Paul Willis (KTM), Duncan Gibson (1098), Darren Rumley (KTM), Mark Lister (675), Chris Richardson (1098), Matt Billington (675), Dave Beynon (1098), Max Symonds (675).... list list just keeps going on and on. Be sure not to be too far away when the Sound of Thunders roll to the grid.

Wayside Garage Rider of the Meeting

As with every meeting in 2012 there is a new focus for all NG Road Racing riders. Marcus Bridewell from Wayside Garages has put up £100 per meeting for the one adjudged to have been worthy of his cash and silverware, to go with the “rider of the meeting” tag. All classes are eligible and it is never an easy decision for the judges.