|
|
Monsters of motor sport return to Pembrey this weekend
publication date: Mar 25, 2010
|
author/source: Peter Hughes
The monsters of motor racing will return to the Welsh
Motor Sport Centre at Pembrey this weekend to mark the start of a very
special anniversary season for fans who enjoy their sport on two, four
or more wheels.
It is twenty years since the country’s leading motor sport club, the
British Automobile Racing Club, took over the management of Pembrey.
|  |
To
mark the occasion the club has put together a year long programme of top
quality events that begins with the opening round of the 2010 British
Truck Racing Championship.
When the Club arrived at Pembrey in January 1990 so too did current
Circuit Director Phil Davies. “It’s hard to believe it has been 20
years”, says Phil, “The time has gone so quickly. But, at the same time,
a lot has happened in those years. As a club, we are very proud of the
improvements we have been able to make and very grateful for the support
we have received from the Welsh Assembly Government, from
Carmarthenshire County Council and from so many individuals, groups and
companies in the area. With their help, we have built an outstanding
reputation for Pembrey as a venue for racing and for testing.”
It was in testing that one of the greatest names in motor sport, Ayrton
Senna, grew to know Pembrey Circuit and is reputed to have described it
as one of his favourite circuits. That and his unsurpassed driving
ability explain why he remains the fastest driver ever to have lapped
Pembrey, completing the 1.456 mile course in his McLaren F1 car in just
40.7 seconds.
The Truck racers may not lap quite that quickly this weekend but the
action is guaranteed to be spectacular. Despite weighing over 5.5
tonnes, their 12 litre turbocharged diesel engines take them from
standstill to 60mph faster than a Porsche 911 sports car. For safety
reasons, their top speed is restricted to 100mph and the race action is
always close fought and furious.
Hexham driver Stuart Oliver competed in his first ever truck race at
Pembrey in 1998 and has won the British Truck Racing title on nine
occasions since then. He comes to Pembrey this weekend to commence the
defence of his 2009 crown but is sure to face some stiff competition.
Amongst his closest rivals will be Dave Jenkins who, like Stuart, drives
a MAN truck. Despite living in Staffordshire these days, Dave has never
forgotten his Welsh roots and would regard victory at Pembrey as a home
win.
Supporting the trucks and at the other end of the size range will be
Formula 125 karts while there will be races too for Caterham and MG
sports cars. Qualifying begins at 9:00 on Saturday with a five race
programme starting at 2:15. No fewer than 12 races are scheduled for
Sunday, getting underway at 9:15.
Admission is £12 each day with accompanied children up to 14 years old
admitted free. The circuit is also providing camping facilities for the
weekend with live entertainment in the Formula One Bar on Saturday
evening giving fans and competitors alike the opportunity to start the
circuit’s season long birthday party in style. | | | |
Download the Wheels Within Wales toolbar for your quickest way to keep in touch with everything that's happening on Welsh roads and in showrooms or use our RSS feed for the headlines you will not want to miss
|
|
|
.gif){kind=small}