But here at "Brands," there is also the Paddock Hill Bend, first right after the front straight, where the riders can hear the shouts of the spectators through their helmets and over their engines, as they prepare to ram their power down the slope leading on to the next hill. This is where Troy Corser, the Aprilia-mounted Australian ace, took pole in '96 and '98, before going on to win Race 2 at both events...

At Laguna Seca, Corser, now third in the ratings, knocked off ten points separating him from points-leader Bayliss. Troy Corser needs to catch up 61 points and Brands Hatch could be the opportunity he needs to reduce the gap separating him from the top of the provisional charts.

On the other hand, this will be a "first" for Regis Laconi, who has never yet raced on this track and, as at Laguna Seca, will be spending the day getting the feel of the circuit. His Aprilia RSV Mille will have the backing of all the references acquired during the last two years' races at Brands Hatch - the skilled Frenchman will thus need to fine-tune the set-up and adapt it to his style of riding while finding out all the secrets of the track, right from the first qualifying sessions on Friday.

Watch out for the English wild-cards Reynolds, Hislop, Emmett and Haydon - the chequered flag is up for grabs here at Brands Hatch.

The track: 4,221 metres - 3 left curves - 6 right curves + 380-metre finishing straight.

The records. Fast lap in race: Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 1'26.910 (2000) -
Record qualifying lap: Noriyuki Haga (Yamaha) 1'26.235 (2000) -
Superpole: Neil Hodgson (Ducati) 1'26.381 (2000).

Brands Hatch races on television:
EUROSPORT (CET): Sunday  1 p.m. Race 1 (live) -  2 p.m. Supersport
(live) -  7 p.m. Race 2 (recorded).