NEW SUPERBIKE CHALLENGE LAUNCHED AT CASTLE COMBE

9 ^th January 2004

CASTLE COMBE SUPERBIKE GRAND NATIONAL 25TH AND 26TH SEPTEMBER 2004

Teams and riders from the British Superbike Championship will be competing at Castle Combe Circuit for the first time with the launch of the Castle Combe Superbike Grand National which has been announced today.

The event is already attracting major interest from leading teams and West Country fans will be able to enjoy the first two day motorcycle meeting in the circuit's 54-year history.

Honda Racing is already committed to the meeting and their race team manager Neil Tuxworth said: “Castle Combe is a great circuit and I remember racing there myself in the Seventies when it was part of the British Championships.

 â€œThe circuit is in a beautiful part of Wiltshire in the south west of England where fans get little opportunity to watch a top class motorcycle event.

“I have found that the whole organisation to be tremendously helpful and friendly at Castle Combe and I am confident that they will do everything possible to help the teams, riders and fans to make this a very memorable event for everyone".

Support for the event has also come from the motorcycle industry. Phil Plater, General Manager of motorcycle racing at Dunlop said: "Castle Combe is one of our favourite circuits for our colleagues on the 4 wheel side and now the motorcycle division is looking forward to taking advantage of the circuit's renowned hospitality and atmosphere".

Stephanie Fowler, Managing Director of Fowlers Motorcycles, the region's most progressive motorcycle dealer commented “ It's absolutely fantastic to be involved in the Superbike Meeting, we are eagerly looking forward to it ”.

The meeting will be organised by MCRCB Events Ltd, the new events management division of the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board. Stuart Higgs, Race Director of the British Superbike Championship, who will run the meeting commented: “This major new event at Castle Combe is an exciting addition to the domestic Superbike calendar. The circuit attracts the best crowds in car racing and we can't wait to see what it can achieve with bikes”.

The full support programme will include Supersport, Superstock, 125GP and Sidecars. Practice and qualifying will be on Saturday with a bumper race programme on Sunday.

For further information contact Rodney Gooch on or visit www.castlecombecircuit.co.uk .

ENDS