Poor weather that hit the final pre-season tests for the British Superbike Championships at Donington were not a good indicator of what to expect.

Thetford & Brandon Times: RAF Team's Jordan Weaving at Donington. Picture: Barry ClayRAF Team's Jordan Weaving at Donington. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)

The circuit hosts round one over Easter and it's looking like a good year in prospect for local teams and riders.

The RAF Regular and Reserves team, based at RAF Marham, again have Jake Dixon on their 1000cc Kawasaki ZX10R in the main Superbike class again. Last year Dixon just missed out on the top four of the final showdown after a disastrous last round at Brands Hatch, but he is definitely a rider to watch and this could well be his year to take the title.

In the Superstock 1000 class they are again running South African Jordan Weaving again – he finished the test in a solid 12th place.

This is also the class that Bowthorpe's Morello Racing Team Green won last year with Danny Buchan. Buchan has gone to the Superbike class and with Northern Ireland's Josh Elliott rejoining the team they are aiming to add title number three to their CV.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Morello Racing's Josh Elliott at Donington Park. Picture: Barry ClayMorello Racing's Josh Elliott at Donington Park. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)

Elliott won the Superstock 1000 title for Morello Racing in 2015 and Australian Sam Clarke has joined the team this year, placing 10th in testing.

Thetford's Ryan Vickers was testing his Superstock 600 Yamaha R6 at the Midlands circuit two weeks ago and crashed heavily, resulting in losing half the little finger on his left hand,

Vickers is determined to be fit for this weekend and at Donington was in a very buoyant mood as he starts the new season with the support of Yamaha UK under the guidance of ex-GP star Alan Carter. This is Vickers' second season in the BSB Paddock, but if last year is anything to go by he is going to be a force to be reckoned with. He wrapped up last season with his first national win at the final round.

Grant Newstead will be out on his Tinkler's Motorcycles-supported Yamaha R6 in the Superstock 600 championship while King's Lynn rider Michael Russell starts his busy season in the Ducati TriOpitons Cup series with True Heroes Racing. The RAF man and accomplished Isle of Man racer has a busy year in the BSB series: he will also race sidecars when they are in action – True Heroes Racing's first venture into the three-wheel world.

Thetford & Brandon Times: Morello Racing's Sam Clarke at Donington Park. Picture: Barry ClayMorello Racing's Sam Clarke at Donington Park. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)

Thetford & Brandon Times: Ryan Vickers took his first national victory at the final round at Brands Hatch last year. Picture: Barry ClayRyan Vickers took his first national victory at the final round at Brands Hatch last year. Picture: Barry Clay (Image: Archant)