Superbikes return to park
ABERAMAN Motorcycle Club brings “Thunder in the Park” back to Aberdare this weekend with the eagerly-awaited two days of racing in the heart of the town.
ABERAMAN Motorcycle Club brings back the Thunder in the Park event to Aberdare this weekend with the eagerly-awaited two days of racing in the heart of the town on the asphalt that threads through the scenic park. It is the only such event in Wales.
Local favourites confirmed to return to the racing include Matt Rees and his brother Michael Rees, who is reigning Newcomers B Manx GP champion, along with Justin Collins, fresh from a first TT Races stint, riding his own team’s Yamaha in the Supersport Welsh Open races, and Paul “Potchy” Williams.
One of the star riders joining the locals will be the reigning and fourtime consecutive GT Superbikes Welsh Open champion Dan Cooper, back in Wales to also ride in the M&P Cardiff 600 Park Challenge races, and providing a tyre service as well as racing himself.
York’s Joe Thompson will also be racing again. Fifth in last year’s Bennetts Lightweight TT, “Joey Yorkshire” is understood to be riding Triumph-powered Moto 2 machinery, competing under the Trickbits Racing banner.
Joining Thompson as part of the Trickbits team’s largest event entry to date are Max Dixon, William Holland, Jamie Edwards and former Welsh Open victor John Simpson.
Additional high-profile confirmed entrants include 2009 TT Zero winner, event debutant Rob Barber, plus seasoned Irish roads competitor Paul Gartland, the 2017 Irish road race 400 champion who is a former fifthplaced rider in the Manx Grand Prix and may well take a string of notable finishes at Aberdare.
Irish road racing’s Junior Support class frontrunner Vinny Brennan joins him in crossing the Irish Sea to race at the park.
Add to the mix are Mick Goodings, Simon Harris, accomplished yesteryear racing specialist Arthur Browning and TT Privateers champion, runnerup in the IOM Lightweight TT, Hebden Bridge’s Jamie Coward, plus 2012 Senior Manx GP champion John Simpson, part of a fourrider Trickbits Racing entry and a multiple racewinner at Aberdare. The talented Antrim racer will be Suzuki Super Twinmounted for the featured Welsh Open races.
The Aberdare Park National Road Races are a highlight of the summer events calendar for motorcycle fans, who flock to the town for a weekend of speed in picturesque surroundings, as do the best riders from across the UK to compete on this unique circuit just half a mile from the town centre.
The event continues to be very important for Aberdare, attracting thousands of visitors and providing a boost to local businesses and traders.
The 2019 event will include modern and classic races, with on-track action from 9am each day.
Stars of the park include local boy and winner of the Welsh King of the Singles Championship Jay Bellers-Smith, father-andson racers Paul and Ryan Williams, family racing team Collins Racing and British Hill Climb champion Marty Robbins.
Isle of Man TT superstar Ian Lougher, who has won no less than 10 first places at the Isle of Man TT races since 1990, will be back at the park this year, riding some demonstration laps as well as meeting and greeting the public – a rare opportunity to shake hands with a true motorcycle racing legend.
New race backers M&P Cardiff are providing a number of auction items, including helmets, valet materials, chargers and luggage, and the fast intervention emergency cars are again provided by Thomas & Davies MG of Merthyr, with medical and rescue vehicles and teams on hand from the BARC Circuit Pembrey.
Tickets can be bought in advance online at www. aberdare-park-road-races.co.uk or at the gate on both days