Next Meeting Brands Hatch- Saturday 20th/Sunday 21st March 2010
“Top teams take on NG regulars in Brands Hatch season opener …..”
A host of top British racing teams will be using this NG Road Racing meeting as testing for the up coming British championship meeting. MAP Centurion Triumph with Allan Venter and Jimmy Hill and the full KRP 125 GP team including the much awaited arrival of American teenager Dakota Momola and new signing John McFee. KRP are also debuting the two new KRP Racing Steps Foundation riders Wayne Ryan and Fraser Rogers.
That KRP team will face some tough opposition in the 125GP classes from Lee Jackson and Tom Weedon as well as the cream of the NG Road Racing grid headed by Bradley Hughes and Sam Burman.
MAP Centurian’s Venter and Hill will also have to fight hard in the 600 classes (which after all is why they are here this weekend !) because former NG star and ex 125 British Champion Dan Cooper is out on his new 675 Triumph. Another former 125 champ Matthew Hoyle too is making a bid for 600-class glory in 2010 after a frustrating 2009 season. Leon Jeacock will be making his NG debut on his BMC Racing R6 after stepping up from the EMRA series that he won last year. Defending Club 600 champion Josh Day will also be out to prove a point against the BSB teams as he embarks on a very important year under the new Air Environmental Team banner with a pair George White Superbikes R6 Yamaha’s in the garage. Throw in Rich Bearcroft on his GSXR600 and Chris Beverley with the France and Li Asia CBR from the NG regular front-runners and we are in for a cracking set of 600 battles.
The Superbike classes also have more than their fair share of talent with Billy Mellor, Sam Warren and Victor Cox from the BSB paddock taking on NG’s best headed by last years Superbike runner-up Lee Keeble on his new CTS GSXR 1000 and another former NG champ Shaun Hennessey. Hennessey has shown great speed in early season testing on his new K10 GSXR Suzuki. Throw in James Kiff, Dan Kift and Gary Teague, Chris Pope and Paul Shook all looking for a good start to the year more high-speed action is assured.
As well as all the regular NG Classes including Formula 400, Mini Twin, Sound of Thunder and Newcomers, we have the first round of the all new GP45 class which allies 450cc single motors to especially designed purpose built road race chassis. 450cc single racing is huge in Europe….watch out for Steve Pond as he debut’s his new GP45 this weekend.
With the 250GP ACU National championship in it’s third year with NG Road racing at the helm we must (…on form) be looking towards either Alex Kenchington or Andrew Sawford for championship glory.
As ever at Brands there will be a strong Sidecar grid headed by Dave Molyneux/Gary Partridge…. It will be interesting to see if the recently re-surfaced Brands Hatch Indy Circuit still gives “Moly” the opportunity to slide his 600 all the way through Clearways.
I suggest you pick a good spot in one of the Grandstands and take in all the action, before treating yourself to a walk around the race paddock to see the bikes and riders up close.
Whats On?
The Meeting
Round one of this 2010 season really is one to whet the appetite. New riders… new teams... and new bikes on the grid. Several of last years champions are back to defend titles, and as an added bonus this first NG Road Racing meeting is being used by many of the country’s top British team as a test for the upcoming BSB British championship meeting. MAP Centurion Triumph and the full 125 KRP teams to name two of the highest profile outfits. As with the start of every season, everyone will be vying for an early season advantage…. This is sure to be one of the highlights of this 40th anniversary year for NG Road Racing.
The Circuit
Although using the 1.2 mile Brands Indy circuit the track takes in several of the countries best known corners. Paddock Hill… Druids… Graham Hill Bend… Surtees and two straights in Cooper and Brabham that are anything but straight as riders are still hard on the power and driving. With seven very different corners packed into this 1.2 mile circuit smooth riding is essential as any time lost is hard to make up. You really do need commitment, as many of the corners are blind… cambered… and either up or down hill.
The Fastest
Phil Bevan holds the fastest NG lap here at 47.60 seconds, which equates to 90.60mph, set last March on the Co-ordit R1 Yamaha he was riding back then. My tip is to keep an eye on the Phoenix Open for a new record…. If conditions are good.
The Season
This season our championship takes in thirteen rounds over eight weekends at seven different circuits, Pembrey, Brands Hatch, Cadwell Park, Snetterton, Oulton Park, Anglesey and Thruxton. The range of circuits across the country pulls in the best riders to challenge for the spoils. Each round has the main feature classes of the 250GP ACU National Championship and the Phoenix Open along with the DTR/Metzeler Streetstocks but also races for everything from 125cc Grand Prix bikes thro 600’s to the Powerbikes…. Big booming twins…. The high revving Formula 400’s…. and probably some of the best supported sidecar races in the UK, so there really is something for everyone.
The Main Events
The 250GP ACU National Championship - With NG Road Racing hosting the prestigious new 2010 250GP ACU National Championship we, along with the series sponsors are providing an outlet for what can only be described as real racing machines. With Yamaha’s TZ250 lining up alongside Honda’s RS we are sure of great competition. This is the only place that you will see these Grand Prix derived machines competing in a full National championship anywhere in the UK. Riders from the UK and Europe will be gracing this years strong grid line-up. The 250cc NG Cup - Again it’s those GP machines, but this time for the non-national licence holders. They may not have the same experience, but they are young and keep to impress…. They are the 250 stars of the future. The Phoenix Motorcycles Open - This is the big one for the NG riders. It’s open to all riders on all bikes, so really is the best rider on the best bike that comes out on top. There is dedicated timed qualifying….longer races…and more laps on offer than any other class. That’s why it’s the premier club class that all the top riders want to win.
What Else Is On The Track
As well as the feature races, there is a packed 20 RACE PROGRAMME of events for all types of racing machines. With all tastes catered for from 125’s to Superbikes and from home built specials to highly expensive Italian race exotica.
| Formula 125’s | This is where the youngsters start. All keen teenagers, eager to impress and have no fear. |
| 125 GP | Close racing at it’s best. Real race bread Grand Prix machines that need riding on the limit. |
| 400cc | A mix of 250cc GP two strokes and highly tuned 400 four strokes. Different tracks suit different bikes. |
| 600cc | Historically the toughest class to win. All on race prepared road bikes, which are ridden to their limit. |
| Powerbikes | Big 1000cc superbikes mean fast lap times. Whoever can best tame the 180bhp will come out on top. |
| Formula 400 | Highly modified 400cc road bikes. High revving, and all very evenly matched. |
| GP45 | 450cc Singles with high spec race chassis and suspension…. Tipped by many as the future of racing. |
| Streetstocks | Street legal bikes on the track. Out-of-the-crate machines, and all on the same control tyres too. |
| Sound of Thunder | Big booming twins and high revving triples. Very different bikes….very close racing |
| Mini Twins | Very popular class. A less expensive way to get on track….but no less action !. |
| Sidecars | High-speed purpose built 3-wheelers, that never fail to provide great racing and a few thrills and spills. |
Where…. When… and How much…..
Brands Hatch is situated in Kent and is just 3 miles from J3 of the M25, and just off the A20. If you look on a map it is approximately 8 miles north of Sevenoaks. There are ample road signs as you approach the circuit. If you arrive early you can witness the technical inspection of the machines, that starts at 7am. Practice and qualifying takes place from 9am with the first race proper starting at 11:00am on Saturday and about 10:30am on Sunday (All times can be subject to change). The cost to get in is £12 per adult with children under 15 free. www.motorsportvision.co.uk or call Oulton Park on 01829 760301
250GP ACU National Championship
& NG Cup
This year the 250 National Championship will be held over 14 rounds, not to mention round 9 featuring as a support race for the Moto GP at Silverstone on 20th June. Despite the stresses of the global economy, and the well documented exit from the world stage at the end of 09, the series moves from strength to strength kicking off it’s 3rd year at Brands Hatch on 20th and 21st March with rounds 1 and 2.
The series once again boasts sponsorship from the award winning and long term NG Club sponsor – Fraser’s of Gloucester. Recognising a successful series when they see one, Neal Fraser and the team had no hesitation in stamping their support on the series. Dunlop will also supply tyres for the Dunlop Performance of the Day Awards, handed to anyone whether at the back or the front of the field who puts in a performance above and beyond their station – It’s true to say the reigning Champion Jason Davis only collected the Performance of the Day award once throughout his successful 2009 Challenge!
Mixing it with the very best National riders and machinery will be the NG Cup contenders. This Championship is simply open to riders who have a Clubman licence on 1st March 2010, so a Championship within a Championship. Cup riders still score points in the National category, keeping the top boys and girls on their toes – as witnessed last year!
With the reigning Champion Jason Davis still holding out his “I’ve retired” tale, you don’t need to look too far to see the names who will top the podium across the 2010 term. Seasoned 250GP campaigner Toby Markham is rumoured to have turned down rides on 4 strokes to stay with his much loved 250’s. Toby’s biggest fan and Father Dennis has hinted they will contest the full Championship making the vastly experienced Kent ace one of the pre season favourites on board a very fast Aprilia.
Somerset’s Alex Kenchington will contest the Dennis Trollope Racing TZ and will certainly improve on his injury hit 2009. Pre injury, Alex proved he is a race winner and with good fortune will challenge for the National title. Never rule out Andy Sawford on the stunning St Neot’s Motorcycles Yamaha. As demonstrated at Snetterton last year, when things click into place for Sawford, he is unstoppable, capable of taking pole, double race wins and fastest laps all on the same weekend! Add the Honda challenge of 2007 Irish National Champion Chris McAloran to the frame as well. It is only a matter of time before Chris adds this 250 National title to his CV as well as the Irish title. Since taking delivery of his own RS Honda, he improved with every outing last year and has pledged 2010 is his year! Also look out for fellow Irishman David Craig, who will also run at the front if he can adapt to the mainland circuits.
Ant Hodson and Newark’s Rich Grinling, plus Mark Linton all have front running pedigree, and will make a mark on the series. A couple of returning riders to the show are 2008 250 National Champion Ben Johnson. The Chesterfield flyer has swapped his title winning RS Honda for a TZ and with lots of fine tuning winter hours now behind him, he can’t wait to go racing again. Chay Newton showed tremendous promise at the start of 2008 before a big Brands Hatch crash destroyed his bike, ending his season after only one round. But during that round he challenged for the lead and earned himself a shed load of respect before his untimely cash stricken departure from the frame.
2009 NG Cup Champion Dave Hampton will again contest his trusted Honda but this time the rules state, as Cup Champion he must move up to the National series. Runner up in last years Cup - Jonathan Stamper also moves up a category having recently upgraded to National, so he is clearly looking to mix it at the front and is more than capable of doing so. Adding spice to the series we have several riders of the fairer sex, although don’t mess with these girls! Sian Brooks and Lou Goddard both visited the podium last year in the Cup Championship and with the top 2 from last year both stepping up the National series, watch this space for a Female Champion - Where’s the history book? Sam Burman is also a National Championship regular, who is more than capable of putting results together. Collecting the Dunlop Performance of the Day award at the final round last year, she will be desperate to build on that performance.
It’s a very rare sight these days – a full grid of pure race machines gunning for a National title, so don’t miss out. Catch all the action at Brands Hatch including qualifying on Saturday 20th March at approx. 1030am, and round 1 just after lunch.
If you wish to be part of the 250GP National Series call Championship Co-ordinator Steve Bostock on 01452 731391 or 07967 681639 or email on sbostock@ngroadracing.org
Official championship photographer – Nigel Dike at EDP Photo News- press@edpphoto.com
www.edpphoto.com or simply call 07774 170235 / 01249 782412