For the last three 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 Josh Day at 90.6mph last year.
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. But to win you now need to go a fair bit faster!!!!
Former National Superstock 600 champ Josh is now a firm fixture in the NG paddock and is THE man to beat when it comes to the Open and Powerbikes. Allister Haynes, Nick Williamson, Chris Pope, James Kiff, Gary Stevens and Michael Blank are now chasing Josh. Can anyone take the fight to Day.
As ever though, it’s not all about the big bikes. Take a look though the respective and varied solo classes and the in form men and women are popping out as the season starts to take shape. Alex Baker heads the fast and furious 600 class, but Aaron Ridewood is showing why he was a pre-season pick for the 600’s, however he currectly sits second in the series with 2015 champ Sean Montgomery, dropping from the early season lead to third after a tough last round at Snetterton. Kayla Barrington too is hitting a run of form after a troubled start to the year, She is now a regular top 5 runner and a first podium is surely not too far away for the former National super moto front runner….. I predict that THIS will be her weekend !!!
Tim Bradley had a tough year in 2017 on a 600 and has now returned to his beloved FZR in the F400 class. He has picked up exactly where he took off in 2016 with eight wins on the bounce to start this season. Michael Rees and Nick Brown must be scratching their hears as to how to find an answer for Bradley’s pace.
Paul Wardell heads up the Mini Twins class and curretly sits second in the Super twins behind Alan Russell whilst pre-season tip for both Twins classes William Holland has slipped down the table after posting no points at Snetterton last time out. Dave Hampton is another that fights for two titles is the top dog in the Supermono and 500 Open on the 450 Single Trigcraft. Dave’s ex-250GP style and the Single Cell Racing Trigcraft suit Pembrey perfectly. Phil Webber too has an eye on a double top leading both the Formula Prostocks and Pre injection, on two different bikes !!….very impressive
I for one cannot believe that we have passed deep into the second half of the season, but there are still plenty of points and races available to the slow starters to come back into the fray.
There is something this weekend for every race fan with classes for all bikes from the teenagers on the F125’s through bog stock Street bikes and 1970’s and 80’s Superbikes to the exotic Sound of Thunder and Sidecars……
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
Josh Day set a new outright circuit NG lap record last year on his way to Open victory aboard his ZX10 Kawasaki. His blistering 57.8 second lap is just about 90.6mph…. 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 sports 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.
Words: Russ Gardner - NG Road Racing Media Officer
Images: EDP Photo News -
www.edpphoto.co.uk