The 4 day Easter weekend is traditionally a big one for British motorsport, and the two main events here see 4 days of British Superbikes and support classes opening rounds at Brands Hatch, British Touring Cars at Donington Park and in China Formula 1 rolls into Shanghai. Weather wise it's a real mixed bag, with more rain in the mix than anyone would like.
BSB first, and though it'll be feeling chillier on Friday and Saturday than we've seen this week, it should remain dry but a northerly breeze will mean spectators should take some warm clothing as max temperatures will struggle to reach the low teens. Overnight Saturday into Sunday morning is when the real change is currently expected, with low pressure arriving from the contintent and bringing rain with it - some of it heavy at times, along with a slight risk of storms later in the day. The whole of Sunday looks like being a wash out as showers and prolonged spells of rain push through, there will be some dry spells, even the chance of the sun breaking through as the day goes on but that won't help the temperatures as they will struggle to reach double figures, all in all not a great day for Qualifying and racing in other classes. Monday should see things improve, with some patchy light showers around and lighter winds, though the temperature will still be struggling to hit 10-11c.
Forecast rain totals Sunday 6am to Monday 6am
BTCC from Donington Park has a similar story, Saturday will be chilly but dry, Sunday will see the rain arrive during the morning and once it's in the area, it'll be over the circuit pretty much all day with some prolonged spells of rain, heavy at times and patchy showers. There's also a stiff northeasterly breeze, gusting to over 30mph at times, which will make it feel pretty raw for spectators - the maximum temperature is expected to be a chilly 12c, but it will feel 4 or 5c cooler in the wind.
Anyone planning to camp for either event needs to be cold nights too, with frosts possible on Friday and Saturday mornings.
Both the
Brands Hatch and Donnington forecasts are here
F1 in Shanghai and the weather there is a little more favourable, with temperatures in the low twenties on Friday and Sunday, and mid teens on Saturday. Friday will feel warm, with plenty of sunshine and a light northwesterly breeze, then it's all change as we head through Saturday with rain arriving on a fresh southeasterly breeze. Current timings suggest a wet qualifying session is likely. Sunday will see a gradual improvement as the rain clears overnight leaving some patchy light showers in the area, but with lighter winds and temperature recovering to around 20c once again.
Shanghai F1 Forecast
