THE final rounds of the Scottish Motorcycle Racing and Melville Club Championships take place this weekend at East Fortune Race Circuit.

The two-day meeting culminates with the 17-lap Steve Hislop Trophy Race, held annually in memory of one of Scotland’s greatest racers, with a glass trophy for the winner.

Hislop began his racing career at East Fortune and later became Scottish and British champion and was a multiple Isle of Man TT winner.

He was tragically killed in a helicopter crash 14 years ago near his home town of Hawick.

A packed programme is promised, including superbikes, Formula 600, Scottish lightweights, F125, pre-injection, CB500, post-classics and a good grid of sidecars.

Current Scottish Superbike leader Bruce Birnie is three points ahead of Max Alexander, so they will be battling for the championship title as well as the Hislop Trophy.

Birnie also leads the Formula 600 Championship, 15 points ahead of William Monie.

Two championship titles have already been settled. The 2017 Scottish Lightweights’ title has been secured by 16-year old Lewis Paterson, while Steven Watson is the Scottish Superbike Cup winner.

Ex-European Superstock champion Howard Selby will make a welcome return to East Fortune. Gifford’s Lewis Rollo, currently racing in British Superbikes, and Haddington’s Paul McClung, will both be back in action this weekend.

Rollo was Hislop Trophy runner-up two years ago on his 600 bike – this time he’ll be riding a 1000cc superstock bike.

Other Hislop Tophy hopefuls will be Torquil Paterson, a previous winner, and Bruce Birnie.

Practice and qualifying will start at 9am on both Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is £10 for adults with no charge for accompanied children and everyone is welcome in the paddock.