This penultimate round of 2016 sees us at with two days at Pembrey on the 17th and 18
th September. The 1.456-mile track that has a bit of everything, from the flat out Woodlands kink to the hard-on-the-brakes Hatchet's hairpin. The two hairpins that really can make or break your lap bisect the circuit.
Last year’s Pembrey meeting had some of the best grids and some of the best weather of the year. When the sun shines at Pembrey the grip levels soar and the lap times tumble. That was certainly borne out by the new outright lap record set by Phil Bevan at 57.85 seconds.
I have always said that if you can get under the magic-minute then you are not hanging around, but that run of laps as Phil races Dan Cooper was something else.
So with Phil taking a sabbatical from the NG series in 2016, the question is, can he be tempted out for a one off outing at his favourite circuit. If not, who will be the fastest this year. Josh Day has been flying this year on his R6 Yamaha and has clinched the Open series with three rounds to go, and is on the verge of the 600 crown. Could it be James Kiff on his ZX10 or Roo Cotton on his R1, or can Chris Pope crack the R1 set up to get under the 60 second barrier.
Former overall club champ Tom Blackwell is on the verge of taking two titles this year as he heads the Mini Twins and Super Twins classes, but the experienced Alan Russell stands in his way.
Teenager Josh Singh is on target to rack up more points in his bid for the F125 title, whilst the experienced Tim Bradley with 9 wins from 11 starts has safely defended his F400 title over Simon Wilkins and Ben Harrison.
The Streetstock action is headed by Paul Jeffery and Richard Hughes in the big class, whilst Eddie Whitehurst is eeking out his lead over Tom Williams in the smaller class.
Greg Maden and Dave Hampton are taking their fight for the 500 win to the wire with just a handful of points between them.
With action in all of the 2016 championship classes this weekend with the added attraction of the Moto E bikes the Desmo Due Ducati Sporting Club series and the ever more popular Formula Prostock that takes in the Suzuki Bandit challenge, I ask one question... Where else can you see all that plus 125 and 250 GP bikes… The latest Japanese Superbikes… Sidecars… and one make racing? . I’ll tell you, nowhere! So sits back and enjoy.
125 and 250 GP ACU National
How close do you want it? With three rounds and 75 points up for grabs left in 2016 two former 250 National champions Dan Jackson and Phil Atkinson tied at the top of the table on 175 points...who will crack first ?. Jackson has good form around Pembrey but Atkinson suffered with a few issues there last season. That may be in the back of his mind.
It’s a very different story with the 125's as Arnie Shelton is over 95 points clear and already secure that his name is on the new 125GP Trophy,
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
Welshman Phil Bevan has been "The Man" around the 1.456mile Pembrey circuit for well over 10 years and his current lap record set last year of 90.60mph (57.85sec) looks almost untouchable. To get near that we need perfect conditions and a very fast and committed rider... any takers?
All the classes are out on track this weekend from the 125's right through to the 1000cc Superbikes, plus sidecars, 125 and 250 GP National action, the ever growing grids of Formula Prostocks, The Ducati Desmo Dues and the Moto E Euro Series for all electric race bikes. So there really is something for every type of race fan.
It's nice to see the Moto E bikes back after the stunning rides by Daley Mathison last year. Daley is on good form this year too after taking wins and a podium at the biggest E Bike race in the world...the Zero TT on the Isle of Man
Admission Prices Ticket Type Saturday Sunday
Adults
From £12 From £12 (For full ticket information go to
www.pembreycircuit.co.uk)
Children (U14)
Free Free (when accompanied by an adult)
Paddock Access
Free Free
See the circuit web site
www.pembreycircuit.co.uk for full conditions of admission
Directions to the Circuit
The circuit is situated in Carmarthenshire, South Wales near Llanelli. It is approximately 10 miles from J48 of the M4. The chequered flag race circuit brown signs are evident from the motorway.
What’s on track?
20 NG Road Racing championship each day split into qualifiers and final for each of the classes. That means some 8 hours of on track action each day. I suggest you get in nice and early, take a wander around the paddock and soak up the atmosphere as the riders go through technical inspection and free practice before taking to the track in anger for the qualifiers in seeded championship order. The main finals kick off early afternoon when all the championship points and prizes are contested.
Feature races: 125/250GP ACU National Championship
çThe Ducati Sporting Club Desmo Due Series
çThe Phoenix Open King of Combe
çThe Formula Prostocks and Bandit Challenge
NG Support classes: F125
ç 125GP
çMoto 3
ç F400
ç GP45
ç 500cc
ç 600cc
ç Powerbike
çSound of Thunder
çSuper Twin
ç Mini Twin
ç Streetstock
ç Pre Injection
ç Formula Prostocks
| Sidecars
ç Newcomers
With just this meeting followed by the traditional season finale at Thruxton on the 8
th October the championships chases are hotting up nicely. This round could turn heroes to zeros... or launch you into pole position... in rider parlance ".... It’s squeaky bum time!!"