Preview: MG and Honda target wins

Honda is building pace consistently and having been in contention for a win at the last meeting at Croft team boss Mike Earle is looking for another step forward this weekend. "We are all gaining more and more experience with every race and thus should be even more competitive at Snetterton," said the former Onyx F1 chief.

While Croft star Andy Priaulx has a big chunk of success ballast to haul round Norfolk following his second place in round 12, his team-mate Alan Morrison is on minimum weight after a retirement and he all-but matched Priaulx for qualifying pace at Croft.

MG had a new evolution of the ZS's V6 for Croft and though the mapping wasn't perfect there, driver Anthony Reid saw better things ahead: "I think it's going to come into its own hopefully at Snetterton," he said of the engine which has always produced better top-end than mid-range power - a characteristic which should suit the Norfolk circuit's long straights. Snetterton is also one of the few circuits on the calendar this year where all have tested relatively recently - apart from Vauxhall's big three. Then MG's Warren Hughes topped the times with Priaulx third for Honda.

If you're looking for an outside bet, try the man who was second fastest on that official test day in May - Aaron Slight. The Kiwi bike star has been quietly upping his game all season in the Barwell Motorsport Astra even though he - with very little experience of cars or UK tracks - suffers from the test ban more than most. He needs top performances to keep his car racing ambitions on track and Snetterton could just be the place where he turns it on.