A stunning £50,000 ($105,000 AUD) prize is up for grabs as the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship returns to the Brands Hatch Grand Prix circuit this weekend on 17-19 July.

A unique twist has been added to the usual MCE BSB weekend format that will see the ‘MCE BSB Monster Energy King of Brands’ crowned following the second race on Sunday.

At the start of race two, as the riders form up on the grid, the top three starters will be given the choice to either take up their positions, or alternatively line up on the final row.

Should they elect to sacrifice their front row slot, their challenge will be to charge from last to first and replicate Neil Hodgson’s famous achievement from Oulton Park during the 2000 season.

The highest placed ‘MCE BSB Monster Energy King of Brands’ contender will receive a specially commissioned trophy but, more significantly, should they win the race they will receive a total £50,000 cash prize.

Second position would be rewarded with £25,000, and third place with £10,000. Only the leading rider will be eligible to win a top-three bonus, but any rider that accepts the challenge will receive £5,000, regardless of success.

Double main season championship points will be awarded to the challengers and regular podium points if they battle into a top three position.

Saturday’s Datatag Extreme Qualifying will take place as normal, establishing the grid for race one, and the fastest lap classification in race one will continue to establish the provisional grid for the second race.

The historic ‘King of Brands’ was a coveted prize awarded between 1965 and 1983, won by some of the most legendary names in the sport, and revived last season at this event. The new format for this race weekend has been approved by series governing body, the MCRCB, following consultation with the teams’ Liaison Group.

The event will also mark the MCE BSB’s return to free-to-air live television for the first time since 2007, as live coverage switches from Eurosport to Discovery’s Quest channel in the UK.