THIS month's second round of the highly acclaimed Super Series Drag Racing Championship for Sportsman races takes place at Shakespeare County Raceway on Saturday and Sunday.

The event heralds the return of the European Top Gas series of races for four stroke twin cylinder drag bikes, and the opening round of their whirlwind European tour.

With their slick professional appearance and impressive on track performances, the Euro-pean Top Gas Association voted the rounds at Stratford-upon-Avon's Raceway as the best event of the series, and that out votes Germany's famed Hockenheim quarter-mile.

Although the race in 1999 failed to reach a conclusion due to a rain out, last year's highlight was the impressive riding skills undertaken by current track record holder, Dutchman Job Heezen on his petrol burning 125ci supercharged Harley.

Heezen later went on to secure the European Championship.

And that's not all. British Supertwin riders Rick Davies, Les Harris, Dave Bartz and Jerry Collier - official World Record holder for two stroke twins - will be in action on a variety of Suzuki, Harley and Yamaha based machines in round two of the national series.

Super Series Two also includes ACU rounds for Funny Bike, Comp Bike, Pro Stock and Super Street as well as 9.90 and 10.90 street legal machines all in national competition.

Additionally, close to 200 amateur drag racers will be competing in a variety of sportsman car eliminations for round two of the Super Series Championship and round three of the National Championship.

Qualifying for all classes starts on Saturday at 10am and final eliminations will start on Sunday at 11am.