Donington Park – Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th May Championship Rounds 5 and 6
This Meeting
With four rounds down, things are starting to take shape in the various class championships, and some of the stars of the year are already forcing their hand in an attempt to lift one of the much coveted class titles. Phil Bevan and Josh Day head up the Superbike classes, whilst Chris Hawkes, Dale Thomas, Peter Carr and Paul Jeffery, along with Andrew Fisher and Dave Manley will be looking for the top spot in the 600 open. Keep and eye on Shannon Hale in the F400, as she takes on Simon Gates. Kevin Davies and Justin Garrett are the men in the Mini Twins and they have unfinished business after a stunning set or races at Cadwell last time out….. with a full programme of classes plus the European Ducati 3D-Cup riders, it will be a great weekend.
The Circuit
Domington Park is a truly historic venue for bike racing that dates back to 1931, although racing on the current circuit started when the track re-opened back in July 1977. This 1.96 mile race track is fast and flowing with a series of high speed sweeping corners opening out onto the fast and undulating Dunlop straight. Donington is all about high corner speed and smooth riding. You will see a lot of high speed overtaking and bravery in the braking areas at Goddards, Redgate and the Old Hairpin.
The Fastest
Peter Baker holds the fastest NG lap here at 1 min 10.53sec. That is an average on 99.88mph on his Morello Services GSXR 1000 Suzuki. Can we see the first 100mph NG lap this weekend….. I think it is a real possibility.
The 250GP ACU National Championship
NG Road Racing are once more hosting the prestigious 250GP ACU National Championship, we along with the series sponsors, Dunlop and The ACU are providing an outlet for these Grand Prix derived pure-bred real racing machines. This is the only place that you will see these machines competing in a full National championship anywhere in the UK, so strong grids of fast riders are always guaranteed. There is also the 250GP NG Cup for the up and coming non-national licence holders, who are always out to impress. 2012 champion Dan Jackson currently leads the way from former 250 champ Ant Hodson and Dave Hampton.
The Phoenix Motorcycles Open
This is the big one for the NG riders. It’s open to all riders on all bikes, so it 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 as well as three points scoring races over a weekend. That’s why it’s the premier club class with big end of season money from Phoenix Motorcycles of Trowbridge, all the top riders want to win. Josh Day leads the title chase on his WH Bond ZX10 Kawasaki with defending champion Phil Bevan is down in third after a steady start to the year…..but gaining momentum.
Keep an eye on…… Chris Hawkes – GSXR 600 – Wayside Garages 600cc Open
Chris has returned to the NG Road Racing ranks after several years competing in the ACU GSXR 600 National Championship. He was a regular front runner, but the series is no longer running, so Chris on his Station Road Garages backed Suzuki has returned to the NG fold. Looking back a few years he narrowly missed out on the year 2000 F400 series, finishing runner up…. But now a little older and much more experienced he heads this years 600cc championship after four rounds, but is still looking for his first win in 2013….. could this be his weekend ?
Wayside Garages Performance of the Meeting
As with every meeting there is the Performance of the Meeting Award. Open to everyone, this rewards one rider per meeting for his or her efforts. It is not all about winning races (….. although that really helps !!!!), the judges take all classes and all riders into consideration. Last time out at Cadwell Park it went to Kevin Davies on his NPMC Mini Twin / UK Aerial Media SV650.
Bardahl Top-Oils Newcomers Performance Award (www.top-oils.co.uk)
This is a new award for 2013 from Bardahl Top-Oils and rewards a newcomer for his or her efforts on track. This can either be for a good weekend result, or a one off performance against more experienced opposition. Last time out at Cadwell Park it went to Oliver Hill on his Fastline Superbikes 675 Triumph.
Metzeler / DTR Streetstock Performance Tyre Award
This is a tyre award to a rider in either the 700 or 1300 streetstocks classes, and the rider deserving of the FREE Metzeler tyre at Cadwell Park was Rob Starkey on his RKS Racing GSXR 600 Suzuki
If you want to know about NG Road Racing……
Check out www.ngroadracing.org for all the news and information