£50,000 at stake for innovative new ‘MCE BSB Monster Energy King of Brands’ challenge this weekend

A stunning £50,000 ($77,500) prize is up for grabs as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this weekend (17-19 July). A unique twist has been added to the usual MCE BSB weekend format that will see the ‘MCE BSB Monster Energy King of Brands’ crowned following the second race on Sunday.

At the start of race two, as the riders form up on the grid, the top three starters will be given the choice to either take up their positions, or alternatively line up on the final row. Should they elect to sacrifice their front row slot, their challenge will be to charge from last to first and replicate Neil Hodgson’s famous achievement from Oulton Park during the 2000 season.

The highest placed ‘MCE BSB – Monster Energy King of Brands’ contender will receive a specially commissioned trophy but, more significantly, should they win the race they will receive a total £50,000 cash prize. Second position would be rewarded with £25,000, and third place with £10,000. Only the leading rider will be eligible to win a top-three bonus, but any rider that accepts the challenge will receive £5,000, regardless of success.

Double Main Season championship points will be awarded to the challengers and regular Podium Points if they battle into a top three position.

Saturday’s Datatag Extreme Qualifying will take place as normal, establishing the grid for race one, and the fastest lap classification in race one will continue to establish the provisional grid for the second race.

The ‘Big Brands Bash’ is the best-attended event on the Kent circuit’s calendar, and this exciting concept will add another dimension to the spectacle. The weekend will also feature a Saturday night concert on the campsite, plus a guest appearance from the FIM Sidecar World Championship, along with the complete package of MCE BSB support races. The Monster Energy ‘Fans’ Thursday’ event meanwhile will give fans a free of charge opportunity to enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access and Q and As with the leading riders.

The historic ‘King of Brands’ was a coveted prize awarded between 1965 and 1983, won by some of the most legendary names in the sport, and revived last season at this event. The new format for this race weekend has been approved by series governing body, the MCRCB, following consultation with the Teams’ Liaison Group.

The event will also mark the MCE BSB’s return to ‘free to air’ live television for the first time since 2007, as live coverage switches from Eurosport to Discovery’s Quest channel, available on Freeview (Ch. 37), Sky (Ch. 144) and Virgin Media (Ch. 172), whilst retaining partial broadcast on both British Eurosport HD and the regular highlights programmes on ITV4. Coverage will return to British Eurosport as normal from the next round at Thruxton on 2 August.

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Discounted advance tickets for the MCE BSB ‘Big Brands Bash’ on 17-19 July are available until midday Wednesday at www.brandshatch.co.uk: adult raceday (Sunday) admission is £26 online, and three-day adult tickets are £34. Camping is just £18 per person, and children under 13 go free.

For more information visit www.britishsuperbike.com