Pembrey proves popular, and gives proper close racing......
The penultimate round of 2017 sees two days at Pembrey. 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 of Hatchets and Brooklands that bisect the circuit can make or break a lap.
For the last two years this 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 is certainly borne out by the outright lap record set by Phil Bevan at 57.85 seconds in 2015 I have always said that if you can get under the magic-minute then you are not hanging around, and that is the target for most.
With Phil concentrating on the National Endurance series with the KT Motorsports Team the way is open for someone else to step up. That could be Josh Day, who has set new lap record figures at will this year, but that 57.85 will be tough to beat. He will need the competition to push him to getting down to those times....so.....the question is, can Phil be tempted out for a one off outing at his favourite circuit? If not, who will be the fastest this year. Odds are on Josh, but it could easily be Peter Carr on his ZX10 or James Kiff on his ZX10 or Chris Pope on his R1 or possibly one of the new Suzuki men Nick Williamson or Shaun Hennessey....take your pick.
Max Symonds heads up the 600's but there are plenty wanting to beat him as the season reaches its climax, Jon Wright, Allister Haynes, Aaron Ridewood to name just a few. Speaking of Allister Haynes, he is in a tight three way scrap for the Sound of Thunder title with David Irons and Dave Mackay.
Paul Wardell will be hoping to continue his winning ways in the Mini Twins, whilst William Holland returns to the Super Twins after visits to Ireland and the Isle of Man.
Paul Jeffery and Ciaran Bligh still have scores to settle in the 1300 Streetstock whilst Simon Bastable and Leif Williams argue over the 700 series.
Two classes too for the pre injections with Thomas Payne and Paul Harlington both eyeing 2017 glory in the big class. In the smaller 700cc category my money would be on defending champion Jon Wright. He just needs a few points to retain the tittle over Liam Turberfield, who is however in great form as the season winds up.
The F400's have bothers Tom and Ben Harrison in the mix with Will Bryant, in another class too close to call.
Sidecars are also back on the menu after not making the trip to Anglesey..... F2 600 v Open...which is quickest?
Anyone who has half an eye on one of the coveted class championships is in a tricky situation. Do you risk all, and keep pushing for points…..or do you sit back and see what your challengers are doing?...time will tell. Each rider will treat this round differently.
The Pembrey 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.
NG's fastest round Pembrey
Welshman Phil Bevan has been "The Man" around the 1.456mile Pembrey circuit for well over 10 years and his current lap record set in 2015 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?
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 and the ever growing band of Formula Prostock runners...... There is something for everyone.
For full information regarding this event, including the meeting preview and post race reports check out the NG Facebook page which can be found by searching in the usual way... then just click like… or log on to |
www.ngroadracing.org
For information specific to this round and the circuit take a look at |
www.pembreycircuit.co.uk