A HUGE crowd will gather this weekend at a North-East motor racing circuit for the climax of the British Rallycross calendar.

As many as 8,000 people are expected at Croft Circuit, near Darlington, for the 2009 Rallycross Superprix, which will pit local talent against some of Europe’s finest drivers.

Contenders will come from countries including Finland, Norway and Poland. But the favourite to take the top prize is Leeming Bar’s Kevin Procter, a bus driver by day.

There will be 100 races tomorrow and Sunday, with 50 taking place each day in a number of classes.

In the top class, the 4 Wheel Drive Rallycross Superprix, the cars used are quicker over 100 metres than Formula One cars, and their 550 brake horsepower is twice that of the World Rally Championship cars.

Rallycross is a mixture of road and off-road action, which promoter Peter Stott said made for the perfect blend for the audience.

“It is short, sharp racing and non-stop action,” he said.

“They say motorsport is all about the first corner, and this weekend will have that 100 times over. It is a fantastic spectacle for the crowd.”

At a warm-up day yesterday, Mr Procter said: “We are hopeful of having a good weekend.

“There’s nothing like Rallycross in motor racing. It is completely different from rallying.

There is no navigator and there are other cars starting at the same time, all trying to get to that corner first.”

Fellow hopeful Dave Bellerby, of Northallerton, will line up against Mr Procter in the championship. He said: “This is a sport made for the spectator, it is a family thing.”

Adult tickets cost £10 for Saturday, £15 for Sunday, with weekend tickets costing £20.

Under-15s are free when accompanied by an adult. Racing starts at 9.30am both days.

Racing at Croft Circuit was jeopardised earlier this year when Croft Promosport, the circuit’s tenant, was ordered to pay damages and legal costs to three neighbours because the enjoyment of their homes was deemed by judges to have been affected by “loud, intrusive and repetitive noise”.

Three staff were made redundant and expansion plans had to be indefinitely shelved.

They were also restricted to 40 “noisy” days a year, of which this weekend’s championship will use up two.