We are only at meeting number two on the 2017 series but already some of the early season questions are being answered. Josh Day is on a mission to retain his Open title, but several other riders are upping their pace to put pressure on the current champion. Both Peter Carr and Michael Blank look to have found good early season form, and will need to keep that up as Oulton is one of Day's favourite circuits!!!
Max Symonds and Daniel Cooper look the ones to beat in the 600's but Simon Bastable, Alistair Haynes and Kayla Barrington are ready to pounce if the top two make any slip ups.
Fast-teenager William Holland has started the year well on his Suzuki Gladius in the Super Twins, and Paul Wardell has started his 2017 in winning style in the Mini Twins, but it was last years top newcomer Jake Dettloff that impressed many at Brand first time out with his new found pace.
Full grids are almost a certainty early season, and riders LOVE Oulton.
As ever Oulton Park is just a one-day meeting, so a rider who can "click" with the circuit quickly is always at an advantage, especially as you consider that Oulton is one of the toughest tracks in the UK to learn with its blind crests and corners and undulations that can really unsettle a bike that is not set up correctly
What’s on track
Up to 20 NG Road Racing championship races 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.
Spectacular racing is guaranteed as NG have a day out at The Park
Oulton Park is a circuit that needs learning well to get a fast lap time. With its rises and falls, dips and leaps, blind crests and challanging chicanes. It is a circuit that divides opinion with riders, but NG's current top rider Josh Day loves it. That is not good news for the opposition in the open and powerbike because he is currently unbeaten in 2017. He will face a strong line up here though as Peter Carr, Michael Blank and Roo Cotton will line up alongside him, but his biggest challenge may come from Jamie Harrison on his ZX10 and Chris Barnes who is this year on a new BMW S1000R.
Max Symonds will hope to keep his stunning form going as he takes on local man Chris Mort as well as NG regulars Simon Bastable and Alistair Haynes.
Oulton sees a full complement of True Heroes bikes here with Dan Barfoot, Jim Walker, Dave Mackay and Mark Fincham on the stunning black and orange bikes.
Aaron Ridewood made his return to racing at Brands last month in the F400 class with a win and a second to lead the championship. At least he will not have to worry about multiple F400 champ Tim Bradley here, he has moved into the pre-injection class on a CBR 600 Honda, where he takes on Jon Wright and Liam Tuberfield.
Another returnee for 2017 is Ciaran Bligh in the Streetstocks, he got off to a winning start at Brands....current champ Paul Jefferey is out for revenge.
It’s also good to see the ACU FSRA F2 sidecars join NG for this Oulton round. Expect Alan Founds/Tom Peters, Lee Crawford/Pat Farrance and John Holden/Lee Cain to be fighting for the podiums as they chase the championship.
Another interesting prospect is Daniel Cooper who will be out on his Ten Kate CBR600 and his SV650 in preparation for the 2017 TT where he will line up on the Mini Twin grid agaist regulars Paul Wardell, William Holland, Jake Detloff, Ben Marsden and last year’s Oulton Performance of the Meeting winner Paul Williams...tough race!!
The full list of NG race classes range from the teenagers on the F125's though, 600's, Powerbikes, Supermono's, Mini Twins, Sound of Thunder, Streetstocks, Pre Injections and Sidecars..... something for all tastes.
Oulton Park Circuit
Oulton Park is one of the more testing…and some say most challenging tracks in the UK. It is not a track that is easily learned and here there really is no substitute for experience. The long 2.7mile circuit repays precise riding and a well-set up bike over the lap with its complex turns and cambers in the corners. There is plenty of overtaking opportunities, so good wheel to wheel racing is always on the cards.
Oulton Park Facts
Set in the former grounds of Oulton Hall the circuit was first set out in 1953, and was extended into roughly what we see today in 1955. It is amazing to think that in qualifying in 2006 Karl Harris lapped at 1:34.5.....and that is still the fastest bike lap time (although it is not a record as they must be set in races!). Ryuichi Kiyonari is the most successful BSB rider at Oulton with 11 wins between 2005 and 2011.
When you stand trackside just think how tight it must have been when non-championship F1 car races ran here!!!
NG's Fastest Rider at Oulton Park
Josh Day, set the fastest NG Road Racing lap here at Oulton back in July 2013 on his then mount, a ZX10R Kawasaki. He hustled the big ZX10 round in 1min 40.34 seconds....that’s an average speed of just over 96.5mph.
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 have the Ducati Desmo Due Series and the same goes for the ever growing band of Formula Prostock runners. Plus adding more spice to this meeting we host a round of the ACU FSRA British Formula 2 Sidecar Championships.
Race Day Timetable Timetable Sat Timings are subject to change by the promoters and/or circuit management.
Technical Inspection 7:00am See the bikes being checked by the Scrutineers, and wander round the pits.
Free Practice 8:30am Watch the riders get familiar with the circuit in free practice.
Qualifying Races 10:00am The competitors race for grid positions for the finals.
Championship Races 14:00pm Now it gets serious…..Championship points, trophies and glory at stake.
Admission Prices. Ticket Type Sat
Adult
£15 Online discounts available at
£10
Children (13 to 15)
£9 Only if accompanied by an adult | Online discounts available at
£6
Children (U13)
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
Oulton Park is situated in Cheshire, off the A49 Taporley to Cuddington Road.
Oulton Park Circuit signs are evident from all directions |
Sat Nav: CW6 9BW 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 Web Info: www.ngroadracing.org