Tuesday September 30, 2014 at 4:27pm
Thruxton is without doubt quick…. and I mean quick. Speed and power….and lots of it are vital. But a fast bike is not enough, the 2.356mile Thruxton circuit takes skill to ride fast, and bravery to master. With Superbikes able to lap at well over 105mph average, and topping out at 170mph plus the 40 strong grid in the feature club race, The Phoenix Motorcycles Open is not a place for the feint-hearted. Expect the big bikes to push the pace, but do not be surprised if some of the 250 GP’s and 600’s start mixing it, as slipstreaming can keep the lighter bikes in touch.
Racing is all about going fast, and the fastest of all around this 2.356 mile Thruxton circuit is Luke Jones, who got his very rapid 675 Triumph Daytona around this fast open circuit at a average of 107.85mph. The 1min 18.77-second lap time was set in October last year, so could be ripe for the taking this weekend if the weather is good. Luke is again on the impressive entry list on his Accumen T3 675 Triumph Datona in the 600 and Sound of Thunder classes.
After this weekend all the championship will have been decided, so no one can hold back now, points really do mean prizes. The Superbike classes have a great entry that has Phil Bevan taking on Peter Baker, Mark Compton, James Kiff, Nick Williamson, Jamie Loveday, Dan Helyer, Kevin Davies and Roo Cotton, but that is nothing compared to the list of possible winners in the 600 class. I could make an argument for any one of 12 winners in the 600 Open, but the championship will be down to two top teenagers as Max Symonds and Corey Lewis fight for the title. With former British champions Josh Day, Luke Jones and Dan Cooper on the grid as well as Bradley Jones and a host of other key 600 runners the race will be frantic.
With the final round of the 250 GP ACU National series as well as the rest of the season long NG championships this is one round not to miss…..be there !!!
This Meeting..... Thruxton..... The Final Round
After this weekend all the championship will have been decided, so no one can hold back now, points really do mean prizes. The Superbike classes have a great entry that has Phil Bevan taking on Peter Baker, Mark Compton, James Kiff, Nick Williamson, Jamie Loveday, Dan Helyer, Kevin Davies, Dan Cooper and Roo Cotton, but that is nothing compared to the list of possible winners in the 600 class. I could make an argument for any one of 12 winners in the 600 Open, but the championship will be down to two top teenagers as Max Symonds and Corey Lewis fight for the title. With former British champions Luke Jones, Josh Day and Dan Cooper on the grid as well as Bradley Jones and a host of other key 600 runners the race will be frantic.
With many championships to be decided including the Streetstocks with Richard Hughes and Simon O’Donnell, plus the pre Injection with Chris Hobbs and Phil Webber, but especially the Sound of Thunder with James Harrison, Darren Rumley separated by just 4 points.
As ever there are classes for all types of racer and racing fan from the 125GP bikes…. through the Production based Streetstocks and Formula 400 series.
With this being the last outing of the year for many riders it will be a different mindset, as all will want a good result to take them trough the winter.
Some riders are already testing new bikes for 2015…. two mouth-watering prospects are Phil Bevan on a 675 Triumph and Josh Day also 675 Daytona Triple mounted…….. hints towards 2015 me-thinks !!!!!
The Circuit.
Thruxton is without doubt quick…. and I mean quick. Speed and power….and lots of it are vital. But a fast bike is not enough, the 2.356mile Thruxton circuit takes skill to ride fast, and bravery to master. With Superbikes able to lap at well over 105mph and topping out at 170mph plus the 40 strong grid is not a place for the feint-hearted. Expect the big bikes to push the pace, but do not be surprised if some of the 250 GP’s and 600’s start mixing it, as slipstreaming can keep the lighter bikes in touch.
The Fastest.
Racing is all about going fast, and the fastest of all around this 2.356 mile Thruxton circuit is Luke Jones, who got his very rapid 675 Triumph Daytona around this fast open circuit at a average of 107.85mph. The 1min 18.77-second lap time was set in October last year, so could be ripe for the taking this weekend if the weather is good. Luke is once again on this years impressive entry list in the 600 Open and Sound of Thunder on his Accumen T3 675 Triumph Daytona.
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 racing it out for one of the biggest prize funds in the country. The Open competitors have timed qualifying and longer races to earn their points for the gruelling 20 round 2014 championship, ensuring that the very best will end up as champion. Phil Bevan and his new ZX10 Kawasaki once more sits proudly at the top on this years points table.......Phil has secured the Open title for this year already and wins a impressive 7th title in the class. He will have to work hard this weekend though if he wants to end the year with a win.
The 250 GP ACU National Championship.
Once 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 and Watchwood supporting the NG Cup, and the new pre-'92 series. Christopher Martin has clinched this 2014 series and has been unbeaten all year, so would dearly love to end the season with a 100% race to win record. Two former 250cc champions in the shape of Ant Hodson and Daniel Jackson will be of to blot that impressive copy-book though. Add in Thruxton lovers in the shape of Dave Hampton, Darrell Higgins and Mark Linton and Chis Martin may have to work for that final win of 2014.
One To Watch..... Not so much a rider, as a race…..the 600 Open
With a dozen possible race winners this is definitely one not to miss. Former British 125 champ and TT star Daniel Cooper and ex British 600 Superstock champ Josh Day and out on track, as everyone loves Thruxton. The championship will be between the two 19 year old riders of Max Symonds and Corey Lewis. But with Dale Thomas, Scott Pitchers, Dave Manley, Bradley Jones….etc….etc….etc also on the grid, this will be a cracker…..don’t miss it ! Russ Gardner