Has all the winter preparation paid off?..... Let’s get on the grid and find out!!!
The long winter months working away in the garages all over the country by the UK's hard core club and national level riders is now done, the wait is over, it's time to get back out on track.
The lucky ones will have been down to Spain to test, the not so lucky ones will have been to Mallory Park or Pembrey for a finger freezing test session. Whatever your pre-season prep.... today you find out if it has all paid off.
Many of the 2016 champions are back to defend their titles, which is never an easy task. Some though have traded in... stepped up... and taken on a new challenge for 2017.
Last season’s top man Josh Day has added a ZX10 to the garage to defend his Open title, Pete Carr one of the clubs most versatile riders also has stepped up to the Open and Powerbike on a very trick ZX10 to take on Roo Cotton, Chris Pope and Michael Blank on a raft of sorted R1 Yamahas.
As ever last year’s top newcomers will be hoping to make names for themselves this term. Jake Detloff has racing in his blood and is eyeing up the Mini Twins series. Simon Bastable took the Open newcomers in 2016 and went well here at Brands in the cold taking the newbies race in very poor conditions. He impressed in the 600 open too, but will have a tough job on to match Josh Day, Max Symonds and Alister Haynes.
The full list of NG race classes range from the teenagers on the F125's though, 600, Powerbikes, Supermono's, Mini Twins, Sound of Thunder, Streetstocks, Pre Injections and Sidecars..... something for all tastes.
As ever round number one will see several bikes and riders out on track that will not run the series but will use it as valuable BSB pre-season track time. Last year Ben Godfrey, Sam Thompson, Phil Atkinson, and the True Heroes Race Team all spiced up the season opener.
Experience counts for a lot, knowing when to push...and when to not!!!. Multiple class title winner Tim Bradley was the champion of champions last year.... no dnf's.... no visits to the grass... never off the podium. He knows how to win in all conditions, and knows championships cannot be won at round one....but certainly can be lost!!
Brands Hatch Circuit
The Brands Hatch Indy circuit is just 1.198 miles long but packs in 6 big corners. On a bike the machine is never actually upright as the “so-called” straight sections, like the Cooper straight are so short, and are linked by some big corners. Just take a look at the circuit map, and you will see what I mean.
Brands Hatch History
Brands Hatch has a great place in UK racing with a track that dates back to 1926, although a switch of direction in 1964 to the more recognisable layout proved a hit. It is one on the only venues in the world to hold WSB, F1, GT Car, WTCC, Indycar and Nascar. It was rammed back in the late 1990's when Carl Fogarty was at his peak in World Supers pulling in over 80,000 punters for race day.
NG's Fastest Rider at Brands Hatch
Peter Baker is the NG Road Racing lap record holder at 47.38 sec, that's an average of 91.78mph, set back in March 2014 on his BSB spec ZX10 Kawasaki. However such is the nature of this circuit that Kyle Ryde got his RS GP Honda round in just 50.16 sec in 2011…that’s 86mph…..less than 3 seconds slower!
Adding extra interest to the weekend.......
NG Road Racing is again running and promoting the British National series for 125cc and 250cc GP machinery. This is the only place in the UK that you will see these ex-GP machines racing for a full British Championship title backed by the ACU (The sport’s governing body in the UK). We also welcome the Ducati Desmo Due Series back for another year and the same goes for the ever growing band of Formula Prostock runners. In addition to the national series we also have the popular TSGP Two-stroke runners.
Admission Prices.
Ticket Type Sat Sun
Adult £15 £15 Online discounts available | One-day ticket £10 | Two-day ticket £19
Children (13 to 15) £9 £9 Only if accompanied by an adult | Online discounts available at £6 per day
Children (U13) Free Free Only if accompanied by an adult
For full conditions of admission and to take advantage of online bookings |
www.motorsportvision.co.uk Directions to the Circuit
Brands Hatch is situated in Kent, approximately 3 miles from J3 of the M25 and just off the A20. Approximately 8 miles from Sevenoaks. Brands Hatch Circuit signs are evident from all directions | Sat Nav: DA3 8NG
What’s on track
Up to 20 NG Road Racing championship races each day split into qualifiers and finals 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 though technical inspection and free practice, then take 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 and Guest races:
125/250GP ACU National Championship
The Ducati Sporting Club Desmo Due Series
The Phoenix Open
The Formula Prostocks and Bandit Challenge
TSGP Two-stroke GP series
NG Support classes:
F125, 125GP, Moto 3, F400, GP45, 500cc, 600cc, Powerbike, Sound of Thunder, Supermono, Super Twin, Mini Twin, Streetstock, Pre Injection, Sidecars, Newcomers
The 2017 Season
Round 1 Brands Hatch 18th and 19th March
Round 2 Oulton Park 8th April
Round 3 Donington Park 13th and 14th May
Round 4 Cadwell Park 3rd and 4th June
Round 5 Castle Combe 8th and 9th July
Round 6 Anglesey 12th and 13th August
Round 7 Pembrey 2nd and 3rd September
Round 8 Thruxton 7th October
For all the info...
For information regarding this meeting and future NG Road racing meetings check out
www.ngroadracing.org or visit the NG Road Racing Facebook page which can be found by searching in the usual way...then just click like.
For information specific to this round and the circuit take a look at |
www.motorsportvision.co.uk
Words : Russ Gardner | NG Road Racing Media Officer
Images : EDP Photo News |
www.edpphoto.co.uk