With mixed weather conditions greeting us to the circuit of Wales for the Friday test day and with a damp start to Saturday’s free practise sessions too, we thought that we were in for some very changeable weather… but thankfully, the sun came out, the track dried up and we were in for a good weekend’s racing!
Bandit Race One: Without the talented Lee Marks (who has moved on to our FP2 class), you could be forgiven in thinking that current Champion and Championship leader, Chris Edwards would be away on his own at the front. But that wasn’t actually the case... in fact it was David Greenwood (who has impressed a great deal this season) who pushed Edwards all the way to the chequered flag! Third place went to Dan Tuplin, who has been a real find for the Bandit series. Still in his first season of racing, but already getting on the podium in the main Championship and run-away leader of the ‘Bandit Rookies’! In a race long battle with local rider Callum Gale, which saw them swapping positions, numerous times, but unfortunately, Gale lost the front going in to Dibeni and crashed out, taking quite a lot of skin off his knee! Shannon Bishop had his best result to date, in fourth and James Taylor (no, not the singer!) finished in fifth place, again, a best result so far for this Rookie.
Bandit Seniors saw current leader Tim Hawkins, take a fairly easy win over his good friend Daren East, with Rookie Dave Manning, consolidating his Championship position, with another podium finish.
FPR Classic Superbikes Race One:
Unfortunately, FP1 is currently struggling for entries, and with Just Andy Green entered, he took maximum points from the weekend.
FP2 saw the debut of Lee Marks into the class, on his Luigi moto Ducati 749. One of the best Bandit racers of recent seasons, Marks proved that it is not just a Bandit he can ride, with victory in his maiden race (definitely one to watch for the future!). Hayden Rushden had a solid ride into second place and Mark Smith took the final podium step in third.
FP3 it was Shaun Hennessey who was the runaway winner. Openly confessing that Pembrey is one of his favourite circuits, it is not difficult to see why! Welsh rider Tony Davies had a good showing, finishing in runner up spot. Fred Manning-Morton continued with his consistent finishes in third place, taking him to the top of the Championship table at the midway point of the season. Fourth went to Gareth Sutton, from Keith Chambers and Simon Spooner.
GP1 newcomer Phillip Small man took the win, over another new-to-class Ian Henshaw, with third place going to class regular and Championship leader Clive Somerfield.
Sunday
Bandit Race Two: and it was Edwards once again out in front, as he took the win a little easier this time, with a healthy lead over second place Greenwood, and third place going once again to Tuplin, who this time had a great battle with (Sunday only rider) Rookie, Adrian O’Connor, an excellent ride and his best result to date! Fifth was Bishop. Gale, who although, walking wounded and starting from the back of the grid after his first race crash, managed to get up to sixth place!
FP2 once again saw Marks continued his progress from race one, to take a strong victory over Rushden.
FP3 Hennessy also continued his Pembrey dominance, over Davies and Manning-Morton. Tommy Vear managed to get out on Sunday, (after missing Saturday’s race and having to rebuild his forks), got up to fourth place, from Andrew Howe.
GP1 another win for Smallman, this time from Stuart Fritton and third place going to Henshaw.
Bandit Race Three and current Champion Edwards made it a clean sweep, over the ever-improving Greenwood, but this time it was the injured Gale that battled through to much happier end to his weekend, with the third-place trophy! He was followed home by O’Conor, who this time got the better of Tuplin.
Tim Hawkins once again took the Senior win, from East and Manning.
FP2 Marks made it a clean sweep of victories and a perfect start to his FP2 career! Rushden was runner up of the diminished field.
FP3 and maximum points to Hennessy, second place went to Tony Davies and third to Manning-Morton, followed home by Vear, Howe and Chambers.
GP1 and another triple race winner in Smallman, second place was Henshaw, this time from Somerfield.
Another great weekend of racing, in all FPR classes.
We would like to thank NG Road Racing for hosting us as a guest club.
Thanks to all of the NG staff and of course all the marshals, without whom, we would not be able to race!
Keith Chambers
FPR Club Chairman.
Pics : Gordon Brady <GORDIE1960@hotmail.com