NG Road Racing kicks off the 2014 season at Brands Hatch, using the demanding little Indy circuit that punishes mistakes probably more than any other in the country. Last seasons early-season Brands star was Michael Blank with his ZX10R Kawasaki. For 2014 "Blanky" is back but in the Open and Powerbike classes will have to fend off challenges from BSB and TT rider Jonathan Howarth, as well as Duncan Gibson on his very rapid JHP Panigale.
Dave Manley has stepped up to the new 600 Evo class at BSB, but will be keeping himself race sharp at the NG meetings. Manley on his R6 heads the 600 grid, but with Max Symonds and Sean Montgomery on a new ZX6R, and one of the stars on 2013 James Harrison now on a 675 the young guns will be out for early season blood !.
16 year old South African, now based in the UK, Jordan Weaving is having an early outing on his KTM 250 that he will race in BSB this year.
The popular Sidecars will see former NG champs Jim Hamilton and Mick Fairhurst take on top BSB crew of Tony Brown who has 2012 world sidecar champion Ashley Hawes as his passenger going head to head on the class leading LCR Open outfits.
Paul Willis is back in the Sound of Thunder on his KTM, and Brands in a favourite circuit for the Wiltshire-man, but with BSB man Ben Broadway on a Panigale, as well as a host of 675 Triumph men headed by Tom Palmer, Shane Smith and class new-boy James Harrison, he will have to draw on all of his racing experience.
RAF services rider, Anthony Van Looy heads the F400 now that three time champ Shannon Hale has moved into the Streetstock on a CBR600R whilst the big stock class has Simon O'Donnell on his new BMW S1000RR. For the older Pre injection machines expect past champ Adam Jeffery to be up front with Rob Garland and Phil Webber chasing the points in the 700cc division.
With up to 8 hours of on-track action each day.......settle back and enjoy..... "The chase for glory starts here....."
The Circuit.....
The Brands Hatch Indy circuit is just 1.198 miles long but packs 6 big corners and 2 supposed straights, Cooper Straight and Brabham which is at the start and finish. On a bike though the machine is never actually upright as the “so-called” straights are so short, and are linked by some big corners. Just take a look at the circuit map, and you will see what I mean. This circuit is hard work for a rider, and demands a well set up bike for good lap times.
The Fastest.....
Jonathan Howarth is the NG Road Racing lap record holder at 47.55 sec, that's an average of 90.70mph, set back in March 2011 on his British Superstock spec ZX10 Kawasaki.
The Phoenix Open.....
This is the premier NG Road Racing series, and is again supported by Phoenix Motorcycles from Trowbridge. All the fastest riders of the meeting battling it out for one of the biggest prize funds in the country. These Open competitors have timed qualifying and longer races to earn their points for the gruelling 20 round championship, ensuring that the very best will end up as champion.
The 250 GP ACU National Championship.....
One more we are promoting the UK's premier Grand Prix based series. These former 250cc world championship spec machines are pure race bikes and are designed with one thing in mind......to race. The main series is backed by The ACU and Dunlop with 100% Suspension Cup for non-national runners, and the new pre-'92 series.
One To Watch.....
Michael Blank dominated last years Brands meeting with 10 podiums over the weekend, including 3 race wins on his AFB Motorcycles ZX10R Kawasaki. The vastly experienced Blank loves Brands and his past form dictated that the rider who races under the number 138 will be....one to watch.