We are already at meeting three of the 2017 series and this the 47th year of NG Road Racing action is already shaping up to be a stunning season with full grids and great racing so far at Brands and Oulton,
Josh Day is looking dominant in the Open and Powerbike, taking on and beating allcomers. Michael Blank, Peter Carr, Chris Pope and Nick Williamson have been left a bit in his wake so far this season. Donington always attracts a few BSB support class wild-cards, so Day will still need his wits about him to continue is winning streak.
Streetstock action is always intense and defending champion Paul Jeffery, Ciaran Bligh and Mark Dangerfield are riding the road legal stock bikes right on the limit, with little to choose between them.
Jon Wright is again the man-to-beat in the pre injection class, but Liam Turberfield is rapidly getting used to his R6, and could be ready to challenge Wright.
Paul Wardell has started the year in winning form in the Mini Twins and heads Jake Dettloff in the standings. Dettloff is doubling-up with the Supertwins and sits second there too behind fast teenager William Holland. The bigger Twins class is the Sound of Thunder where Ducati's rule the roost. Sam Middlemas the BSB Ducati Tri-Options runner leads as we go into this round with Dave Mackay and David Irons hunting for the pace to keep with Sam on the 898 Panigale.
Aaron Ridewood has returned to racing after a 5 year layoff, but has lost none of his speed, currently leading the F400 class on his immaculate ZXR400 ...... can anyone catch him here?.
Dave Hampton is chasing two classes, the 500 where he is defending champ and the new Supermono, both on his Single Cell Enigma 450 Tigcraft. He leads the 500's but so far Philip Atkinson just has the measure over him in the Supermono series on his 690 Tigcraft. Hampton loves Donington Park so that will be a battle to savour.
With a full complenent of classes from the 125's through 600's upto Powerbikes, plus Sidecars, Prostocks, Suzuki Bandits and the Ducati Sporting Club Desmo Dues and we are set for great weekends racing.
Added to all the modern fourstroke road based classes NG as ever host the 250 GP ACU National series, where once more Donington will ring with the sound of pure 2-stoke Grand Prix derived machines. South African Philip Atkinson is the man to aim for as defending champ on his TZ250, but former Champ Ant Hodson has got the taste for victory after his Oulton Park win, can he take another and claw some vital points back...be here to find out.
Donington Park Circuit
This 1.96 mile race track is fast and flowing with a series of high speed sweeping corners opening out onto the fast and undulating Dunlop straight. Donington is all about high corner speed and smooth riding. You will see a lot of high speed overtaking as well as bravery in the braking areas at Roberts, Redgate and the Old Hairpin.....but be warned if you get one corner wrong, your lap has gone !
Donington Park History
Racing at Donington dates back to 1931, but after WW2 racing was halted, and it was not until Tom Wheatcroft got hold of it in 1971 things got back on track (...literally !). Donington has hosted every type of bike racing from Moto GP, Endurance, BSB... and was of course the venue for the first ever World Superbike round in 1988.
NG's Fastest Rider at Donington Park
Current BSB Superstock front runner Ben Godfrey was in the NG paddock last year, and set a new NG lap record at 1min 09.3secs last May. That equates to 101.5mph average on his BMW S1000R
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 sports 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.
Race Day Timetable Timetable Sat Sun Timings are subject to change by the promoters and/or circuit management.
Technical Inspection 7:00am 8:00am See the bikes being checked by the Scrutineers, and wander round the pits.
Free Practice 9:15am 9:15am Watch the riders get familiar with the circuit in free practice.
Qualifying Races 10:45am 10:15am The competitors race for grid positions for the finals.
Championship Races 14:00pm 13:30pm Now it gets serious…..Championship points, trophies and glory at stake.
Admission Prices. Ticket Type Sat Sun
Adult
£17 £17 Two-day weekend ticket just
£30 | Concessions available on the gate only
Children (U13)
Free Free Only if accompanied by an adult
Paddock Access | Parking
Free Free
For full conditions of admission and to take advantage of online bookings
| www.donington-park.co.uk/events
Directions to the Circuit
Situated on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire boarder, next to East Midlands airport off the A453.
Donington Park Hatch Circuit signs are evident from all directions
| Sat Nav: DE74 2RP
Words : Russ Gardner | NG Road Racing Media Officer
Images :
EDP Photo News | www.edpphoto.co.uk