Well, this is it, the final round of 2015. After visiting most of the best circuits in the UK, including Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Oulton Park, Castle Combe, Thruxton and the stunning Anglesey Coastal circuit we end the year at the clubs longest standing track….Pembrey. This demanding circuit never fails to deliver close racing, but has often been known to bite, so it needs to be treated with respect. At the end of play this weekend all of the hard fought 2015 championship will have been decided.
The Circuit.
This 1.456-mile Pembrey circuit throws up a series of demanding challenges for the riders. The circuit has two very distinct sections split by the Hatchets and Brooklands hairpins. The technical section from Hatchets, through Spitfires, Dibeni, Paddock and the Esses changes after heavy braking at Brooklands as the fast sweeping sections through the Speedway, Woodlands and Honda Curve take over. Despite the hairpin sections lap speeds in excess of 90mph are needed for glory.
The Fastest.
Local hero Phil Bevan set the fastest Club lap around Pembrey at an April meeting back in 2009 on his 1000cc R1 Yamaha at 58.07 seconds, which equates to 90.26 mph. Can we see the first sub 58 second lap this weekend?
The Phoenix Open.
This is the NG Road Racing premier class and for the seventh successive year Welshman Phil Bevan sits at the top of the table, and is un-catchable for the championship. Being brutally honest, and not showing any disrespect to his rivals, it is difficult to see who will stop this weekend. For his rivals it is all about who can nick a race win. Roo Cotton has been in good form recently, as has Darren Rumley who is new looking at home on his new ZX10 Kawasaki. Chris Pope too is getting now his all new R1 Yamaha to his liking, and that is a very rapid bike . But his challenge could come from closer to home as John Day on his R6 Yamaha is out to prove a point, and second in the series despite missing half the season whilst campaigning in BSB is on the cards.
The 250 GP ACU National Championship.
These former 250cc world championship spec machines are pure race bikes and are designed with one thing in mind, to race, and this is the best place to see them. Ant Hodson and Phil Atkinson and separated by just 3 points as we go into this final weekend, with former champ Hodson having the advantage, but Atkinson has take victory at five of the last six rounds and is on a charge. Another former champ Daniel Jackson is out there, but we also have proven winners Dave Hampton and Darrell Higgins looking for points and podiums.
The Ducati Desmo Due Series.
NG has taken over the popular Ducati series that is for the 600 and 620cc Ducati monster and Supersport twins. Andy Claridge, Matt Lawson and Dallas Hornblow will be out for class A glory whilst class B is all about Scott Wilson in 2015, so he will have a big target on his back this weekend.
Ones to watch.
It might seem like an obvious choice, but I make no apologies, but Phil Bevan is THE man around here, and has been for over 10 years, whether it be on 996 Ducati, GSXR thou or R1. Despite Phil running a track day school here he does not do as many laps as some people think (most of his time is spent in the office organising or running at slower pace as an instructor). Phil took on the challenge of switching from his old R1 to a new ZX10 this year, but is ominously for his rivals, leading the Open and Powerbike series……he is the benchmark…. he is THE man to beat.
Elsewhere Ben Broadway will be hoping to hold off Peter Carr and Dave Irons in the Sound of Thunder, while Tom Blackwell is doubling up in Super and Mini Twins where he takes on Aaron Silvester, Richard Goode and Paul Wardell. Tim Bradley if the pick of F400’s with Ben Harrison, Dan Tilley and Anthony Van Looy in chase. Liam Delves is out for double glory too in the GP125 and 500 Open classes. The 500 also see Dave Hampton on the stunning 450 Enigma Tigcraft and Paul Metcalfe on the TZ250. Josh Day, Sean Montgomery, Mark Hughes, Max Symonds and Pete Carr head a strong 600 grid.
12 year old Caleb Smith has taken the F125 crown but will be pushing for another win to round the year off.
Defending sidecar champs Jim Hamilton and Mick Fairhurst will have to hold off Rob Biggs and Ben Ransley to take the title for a third time, but the F2’s are quick here so watch out for Nev Jones and Giles Stainton.
With Streetstocks…Pre Injections and Newcomer classes also on the grid a tight weekend it on the cards…….