ADMISSION is just £1 when the new racing season opens at Brands Hatch this weekend.

The circuit is hosting the first two rounds of the British Motorcycle Racing club’s Nationwide championship, on Saturday and Sunday. Practice starts at 9am and racing begins at 10am on both days.

Previous champions to have lifted the Mellano Trophy since 1925 include Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and Barry Sheene, who won the series three times during the 1970s.

This weekend’s programme of races for solos and sidecars will bring together many class champions who will return to defend their titles.

More than 1,500 machines are expected to come to the grid, including 2002 Mellano Trophy winner Kenny Burns and former "Bemsee" champion Sam Corke, of Uckfield.

Other former recent champions Chris Bishop and Richard Norris will be joined over the weekend by Adam Redding, of Strood, and Ricardo Ballerini, last season’s Nationwide SS400 champion.

There will be a wide selection of classes racing, ranging from Powerbikes to SS600s, and sidecar fans will be treated to some fantastic F1 and F2 three-wheel action.