NG Road Racing… Oulton Park Preview
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 challenging 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 although he has both championships tied up already, he just loves winning and setting fastest laps.
Several championships have been tied up already but there are a number that are still up for grabs. The closest one is the 700 streetstock when just 5 points separate Simon Bastable and David Irons. They are both proven championship winners and want this one this year. Irons makes a hadit of leaving thing late and close as we remember him winning the 2017 Sound of Thunder by just one point.
It isn’t just the club titles that as up for grabs, NG has the privilege of running the 125 and 250cc GP National series too and Jim Hind one of the young up and coming stars of the roads scene has one hand on the 250 title. Many of you will have seen Jim in the Isle of Man for the Manx GP and Classic TT where he bagged two wins and other podiums. Jim needs a top four to hold off the vastly experienced Bruce Dunn. The 125 series is already secured by the outgoing 250 champ who was unable to secure a quarter litre ride so wheeled out his own 125, and surprised many with his speed on the little bikes.
The 1300 Pre injection sees still all to go for with Newcomer Daniel Boucher holding off a late charge from Jon Wright. The Mini Twins is down to two with Dan Harris and Olii Warren (as seen in recent UK Clubsport magazine). But one of the most eagerly awaited title charges will be for the Motul Suzuki Bandit challenge, run by the Formula Prostocks where James McHardy has a slim fifteen-point lead over Harley Prebble. The Bandits are different to the main NG classes as the have two points scoring races with 25 up for grabs in each outing….this will be tight !!!
Oulton Park Circuit
Oulton Park is one of the most 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 undulations, 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. However as with most tracks there have been the addition of the chicanes at Brittens and Knickerbrook (named Hislops) in the name of safety.
When you stand trackside and see how narrow the track is, 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 2017 on his ZX10R Kawasaki. He lapped in 1min 39.66 seconds....that’s an average speed of just over 97.2mph.
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 the final round of the final round of the ACU FSRA British Formula 2 Sidecar Championships.
Oulton Park..... A tough track to master but rewarding when you get it right!!
The 2019 NG Road Racing season sees eight rounds staged between March and September at all of the UK's premier circuits with Brands Hatch, Snetterton, Donington, Cadwell, Pembrey, Anglesey, Castle Combe and Oulton on the list.
This great spread of venues means that the very best riders end up as class champions.
At each meeting the season long championship runners are joined by wild cards that dip into the series for one off outings to spice things up nicely.
Back in March the season kicked off at Brands Hatch, now six months and eight rounds later we are here at Oulton Park for the season and championship finale. Some titles have already been decided and those riders can relax, but most a still wide open and nerves are jangling and rivals fight it out for the final haul of points that will spell championship glory or disappointment.
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.
Timed qualifying 10:30am Timed qualifying to set grid positions.
Championship Races 14:00pm Now it gets serious…..Championship points, trophies and glory at stake.
Admission Prices. Ticket Type Sat
Adult
£16 Online discounts available at
£12
Children (13 to 15)
£10 Only if accompanied by an adult | Online discounts available at
£8
Children (U13)
Free Only if accompanied by an adult
For full conditions of admission and to take advantage of online bookings |
www.msv.com 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 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 through technical inspection and free practice, they then take to the track for timed qualifying. There is then battle for the final set of points of 2019 to decide the outcome of the season long championships.