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Pembrey's big bike weekend
publication date: May 27, 2011
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author/source: Peter Hughes
Not one but two anniversaries will be celebrated at Pembrey Motor Race Circuit this weekend with 3 days of top class motorcycle racing including the 250cc GP National Championship and the coveted Prince of Pembrey title.
While the event forms part of the season long celebrations to mark Pembrey's 20th anniversary as a race circuit, it also commemorates the 40th anniversary of event organisers NG Road Racing. The club was originally established in 1970 as North Gloucestershire Motor Cycle and began organising race meetings the following year on temporary airfield circuits. It wasn't until the late 1990's that the club's focus moved to promoting events on permanent circuits, including Pembrey, and the name was changed to NG Road Racing to mark its switch from regional to national event organiser. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and is now recognised as one of the UK's leading race clubs. This weekend's programme will include 2 rounds of the club's 19 championships on Saturday and Monday with a programme of special celebration races on Sunday. Among those championships, the 250cc GP series is the only national championship for these Grand Prix derived thoroughbred race machines while the Powerbike series caters fro 1000cc superbikes producing in excess of 180 horsepower. Formula 125 is the championship of choice for young motorcycle racing stars of the future and is sure to vie with the 600cc category to produce the closest and hardest fought racing of the weekend. If the two wheeled action isn't enough for you the sidecars will also provide some exciting race action with a few spills likely along the way. Sunday's racing will feature a series of 40th anniversary cup races for the various classes while the feature event will be for the title of Prince of Pembrey. That's a title currently held by Phil Bevan. The Cardiff based racer also currently holds the circuit's out right two wheeled lap record in a time of 58.07s. That's an average speed of 90.26mph around the 1.456 mile long circuit which includes two low speed hairpins. Phil is keen to retain the crown although he remains undecided on whether he will use the Yamaha R1 on which he set the record or race a Ducati, a make of bike he hasn't ridden for more than 5 years. Whatever his mount, he will face stiff opposition from a number of riders including Michael Blank and Chris Pope, both travelling from the North East of England for the race while Wiltshire's Roo Cotton is also among the pre-race favourites. Dean Richards from Church Village will also be keen to fly the flag for Wales although his 600cc machine will place him at a power disadvantage, particularly if conditions are dry. While the fight for the title is wide open, one thing is certain. Pembrey is set to host three days of the closest racing it has witnessed in its 20 year history. Practice and qualifying takes place from 9am each day with the first race starting at 11:00am on Saturday and about 10:00am on Sunday and Monday (All times though can be subject to slight change). The cost to get in is £12 per adult with children under 14 free. |
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