Brands Hatch awarded Superbike finale.

Brands Hatch Leisure Group has confirmed that it will be hosting the final round of the FIM Superbike World Championship on the 13-15 October 2000.

Rumour surfaced in the wake of last weekend's successful event at the Kent circuit that it may be asked to host the season finale in place of Imola, which has a conflicting festival taking place on the same weekend, and the FIM today confirmed that the even would be switched to a venue popular with both riders and fans alike.

''We are thrilled to have the opportunity to host a second round of this fantastic championship,'' said Rob Bain, chief executive of Brands Hatch Leisure Group, ''Brands Hatch has always attracted record-breaking crowds, and to host the season's final round, where the winner of the 2000 Superbike World Championship will probably be decided and crowned, will be great for both the British riders and the fans. We look forward to welcoming everyone back in October."

The event has attracted a fanatical following ever since Carl Fogarty leapt to prominence in the 1990s and, although King Carl could not be present as a racer last weekend, he honoured his fans with a handful of demonstration laps. Although many expected the event to be a bit flat without their hero to support, perceptions were changed by another giant-killing performance from British series rider Neil Hodgson.

"I was over the moon when I heard that the Superbike World Championship will be returning to Brands Hatch in October,'' the race two winner said, ''I am looking forward to coming back to Brands, racing again and, hopefully, repeating the success that I had last time."

It's the first time ever that any circuit has been awarded two World Superbike events in the same year, and the circuit is determined to make October's event the best ever. The organisers are promising the return of the giant television screens that carried last weekend's action, and insist that the whole race programme will be backed by masses of track activity to ensure continuous entertainment.

Entrance tickets, stand tickets, paddock passes, camping tickets and helicopter transfer tickets are all on sale now, and advance rates on entrance tickets will be available right up until Saturday 14 October. Race day ticket prices start at ?2 for children, rising to ?28 advance. On the day entrance will cost ?33, although a three-day advance pass for the entire weekend will cost a maximum of ?35.

[Source: Brands Hatch Leisure Group]