A Monster Energy Fans’ Thursday will kick off one of the most festive sporting weekends of the year when the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to Kent later this month (Friday 18 to Sunday 20 July) for the Big Brands Bash.

For the first time, the circuit will be fully open on Thursday afternoon, and spectators will have unprecedented behind-the-scenes access as preparations for the weekend ahead are concluded. Gates will be open from midday – the same time the huge Brands Hatch campsite opens its doors – and access is completely free of charge.

The Monster Energy rig at Clark Curve will host exclusive interviews with MCE BSB riders, offering all the latest gossip from the paddock ahead of the weekend. And the pit lane will be accessible to the public from 3pm for two hours to enable fans to see the teams and riders up close, with opportunities for autographs and photos.

The circuit itself will then be open from 5pm to 6pm for an official track walk for fans around the classic 2.3-mile Grand Prix layout. The famous Kentagon Restaurant and bar and other food and drink units will be open all afternoon and into the night.

"We’re really pleased to announce the Monster Energy Fans’ Thursday will form part of the Big Brands Bash this year. There will be a party atmosphere all weekend and a fantastic programme of racing, and it will be great to kick it off by offering fans the chance to mingle with their heroes and access parts of the circuit they may never have experienced before," said series director Stuart Higgs.

The event gets formally underway on track on Friday with the opening MCE BSB free practice sessions. Kent’s Shane 'Shakey' Byrne bids for glory on home turf against a host of international contenders including 2014 race-winners Josh Brookes and the resurgent Ryuichi Kiyonari.

The party weekend continues into Saturday’s MCE BSB qualifying day when double World Superbike champion James Toseland headlines the campsite music stage in the evening, with admission free of charge to all valid MCE BSB ticket holders.

Weekend and camping tickets for the MCE British Superbike round at Brands Hatch on 17/18/19 July are available from just £51. Kids under 13 go free.

All three days take place on the famed Grand Prix circuit with a bustling programme of support races and two MCE BSB races on the Sunday. To book tickets now visit www.brandshatch.co.uk or call 0843 453 9000.