ONE of the biggest events in the region’s motor racing calendar takes place this weekend, with tens of thousands of spectators expected.

The tenth round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship is being held at Croft Circuit, in North Yorkshire, today and tomorrow.

Motorists are being advised that they could face some delays near the circuit.

North Yorkshire Police are also pleading with bikers attending the event to heed safety warnings after a recent increased death toll on the roads.

Practice sessions started yesterday, with the main action taking place today and tomorrow.

Today’s action starts at 9.30am, with qualifying at 2.10pm and British 125GP races at 5.15pm.

Tomorrow, the race action cannot start until noon because of noise restrictions, however there will be an open paddock for fans to meet riders from 10.30am to 11.30am.

The first Superbike race is at 1.25pm and the second at 4.30pm.

Event organisers said the championship could not be closer, with one point separating the top three riders.

Track officials said there would be a one-way system in and out of the track at the beginning and end of proceedings.

They said the system was effective in managing traffic and reducing delays.

Drivers are advised to be aware of potential delays on the A167, between Darlington and Northallerton, particularly near the circuit.

North Yorkshire County Council will close West Lane, in Dalton-on-Tees, tomorrow to assist with traffic management.

Following the deaths of 16 bikers this year, with five in the past 14 days, on the county’s roads, North Yorkshire Police’s deputy constable Adam Briggs, an executive member of the European Traffic Police Network, said enough was enough.

He said: “We simply do not want another needless and preventable death and all the heartache that goes with it.

“Therefore I am pleading with motorcyclists – the vast majority of whom are safe and sensible riders – to please take care and ride safely.”

Officers from North Yorkshire, Durham and Cleveland forces will be patrolling roads approaching the circuit over the weekend.

Entry is £13 per adult today and £27 tomorrow. A weekend ticket is £33. Entry is free for children aged 15 and under.