After completing its first full season as a motorcycle racing promoter, Thundersport GB are preparing for season two with full grids in every class as the season opener at their home, Mallory Park, takes place between 13th-15th March.

Hundreds of new riders take to the Thundersport GB paddock along with the hundreds that were there last year to at last provide Britain with something to smile about when it comes to motorcycle racing after a doom and gloom period amongst the global economic crisis.

What better place to start than the Aprilia Superteens, a class that has set the benchmark when it comes to formulating a foundation for riders looking to make a career out of racing.
54 entrants aged between 12-19 including three young ladies take to the grids this year on the all new black Aprilias as apposed to the all white livery seen last year.

The proof is in the pudding when it comes to what the series can do for a youngster, with last years Champion Frazer Rogers in the Red Bull Rookies, whilst also entering Thundersport’s GP3 class, and Rob Mac signing up runner-up Bruce Winfield for the start of the 2009 season.

Names such as Wayne Ryan, George Martindale, Andy Read, Ben Gautrey, Lee Jackson, Nick Anderson and Connor Tagg, are just the start of the list when it comes to riders capable of making a name for themselves this year, that’s not forgetting the list of Newcomers entering who would all like to follow in the steps of 2008 Champion Rogers.

The GP3 Class for GP125 bikes and GP Monos have the delight of Frazer joining them for the majority of this season, although luckily for them on a standard Honda RS125 supplied by the JDF Racing team.
With a far larger grid this year, again we are faced with listing some ten riders that are all going to be podium bound, names of course that we will be a lot more familiar with by the time round one arrives.

With the Streetfighter class making a name for itself last season amongst the Junior Powerbikes, it’s been rewarded by creating its own grid this year and whilst it demands a different riding style due to the aerodynamics of the machinery, it doesn’t take away the fantastic racing action it provided us with last year and should continue to this campaign.  Unfaired bikes in three classes, it remains a very different looking series and last years Streetfighter ‘A’ Champion Steve Joy has a fight on his hands to defend his title this season.

The Thundersport 600 battle between Gary May and Rob Hoyles last year was a classic and brought back memories of the Foggy versus Kocinsky feud. This year however, things are set to change with the grid being made up of Formula and Superstock 600’s.
Following the change in the rules, the numbers have risen dramatically in the class to give us yet another full grid of talent including one or two well known names.
Last Years Champion Gary May was largely dominating until a late scare from title rival Hoyles, but this year won’t have it all his own way with 99% of the riders in the class, setting out their stalls to beat one Gary May.

Thundersport GP1 (Powerbike), is the biggest of the classes and it figures with the amount of entries received for it. There is no doubting that with the Sound of Thunder machines also joining them, their grids will too be jam packed.
May won this title also last season after fending off Rob Elsmere earlier in 2008, but with Scott Kelly wanting to move up a few steps from third overall, Rob Hoyles moving up a class to compete with his old buddy again and a good list of fifteen strong riders that are all capable of winning the title, you have yourself a very entertaining class to watch this season.

The Junior Powerbikes were a surprise package last season and became the only class to go down to a final race to decide all top five places in the Championship. This season, they’ll be without their Streetfighter friends but instead will be joined by a new class ‘Minitwins’ and the Moto 450’s who look to make a name for themselves in 2009.
Last seasons winner Tony Coombs has made a step up to a 600 Superstock machine as has third placed finisher Leon Jeacock, and with Clint De Tarnowsky, the runner-up in 2008, moving into GP1, it leaves a very competitive Championship wide open and difficult to predict, just how we like it.

Last but by no means least, is another new class for 2009, Thundersport 500. A class for Kawasaki ER500’s and Suzuki GS500s, the class will be predominantly made up of Honda CB500s.

Riders of 15 years or older may compete in this closely matched category which is famous for developing stars such as Leon Haslam and James Toseland. Leon’s dad Ron was particularly pleased to see them backed by Thundersport GB and mentioned the bikes to have been a key to Leon’s current success. “The manner in which you have to ride these bikes simply sets you up for GP Racing or even bigger bikes. It created a great grounding for Leon and is a perfect bike for youngsters that aren’t quite ready for a GP bike or a 600 yet”

Mallory Park it is then that sets the scene for the Thundersport GB 2009 season and it’s now understandable as to how the series has become so successful in just a year. With race director Dave Stewart in the driving seat and a solid and professional team behind him, they look set to once again stun everyone with their new look series and continue to deliver their promises.

With the same great television and media coverage, the Aprilia Superteens in a support round at the WSB round at Donington in June and all classes supporting the Moto GP at Donington again in July, some people dream, others race with Thundersport GB.