Round two of the NG series has us at Snetterton. We use the 2 mile 200 circuit which is the one most like the old Snetteron that riders loved for it's outright speed and fast turns.
After round one at Brands we were left sctatching out heads as many preseason tips just did not perform in the tricky mixed conditions.
The stand out rider was Simon Bastable who picked up wins in the 600 open and the Streetstock earning him the performance of the meeting award.
The 600's also saw a first win for James Welch and a string of podiums for Dean Richards and a maiden podium for Luke Welch (....that's James' brother!!!). However they cannot expect the likes of Max Symonds, Kayla Barrington and Liam Delves to have another off day.....
We expect the superbike classes to be another big points haul for Josh Day, but Brands race winner and current Powebike series leader Chris Pope, Allister Haynes, Paul Dawson and the like will be on his case.
The Motul Suzuki Bandits will again be a head to head with James McHardy and Harley Prebble. Tim Bradley will look to take another lock out in the F400. Dave Mackay and his 959 Panigale is the pick of the crop in the Sound of Thunder, whilst William Holland, Paul Wardell and James Edwards are the tips in the Twins class. Wardell likes Snett and was the performance of the meeting winner here twelve months ago.
Jim Hind will be looking for more wins in the 250GP ACU National series as he aims for hold off Bruce Dunn, Simon Hunt and local hero Andrew Sawford who suffered at Brands with everything from oiled plugs to punctures !!
As ever NG will run the full gamut of classes with grids for the F125 to Steetstockers, Pre-injections to Prostocks and Desmo Due Ducatis to 250GP's...... plus the FSRA F2 Sidecars.
As for the riders there are alway a nice bunch of Snetterton local wild-cards and BSB support series runners out for some valuable track time, so championship points here will be hard earned.
Snetterton Circuit
Snetterton was originally RAF airfield, used by the 96th United States Air Force Bomber Group in the 1940's. The circuit itself was created in 1951 from the network of remaining runways and its first race event was held in the same year by the Aston Martin Owner's Club.
Snetterton has undergone somewhat of a renaissance during the recent years following a multi-million pound redevelopment project at the start of 2011, which was met with rave reviews from both spectators and competitors alike. Even after all the redevelopment Snetterton 200 retains the combination of long straights and a wide variety of turns, challenging both power and handling..... as well as the rider.
NG's Fastest Rider at Snetterton
George Stanley set the fastest NG lap here last year on this 2 mile Snetterton 200 circuit. Riding his BSB Superstock spec GSX-R 1000 Suzuki getting round at a speed of 101.79mph which is a 1min 10.7 lap time.
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 Series and the Formula Prostocks runners.
Where do we go from here.......
After Snetterton we head off for Donington Park on the 11th and 12th May where we will also welcome the ACU/FSRA F2 British Sidecar Championships to join the regular NG series.
Directions to the Circuit
Snetterton is situated in Norfolk, off the A11 Thetford to Norwich road. Snetterton Circuit signs are evident from all directions - Sat Nav: NR16 2JU
What’s on track
Up to 20 NG Road Racing championship races each day split into qualifying and championship races 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, they then take to the track for timed qualifying. There is then battle for one set of championship points on Saturday and two sets of points on Sunday when the riders come to the grid.
Check out the full NG calendar :
www.ngroadracing.org