Mae rasys ffordd yn mynd
Look out Isle of Man the Welsh are coming, August 2018…
DATE FOR YOUR diary: on 4 to 5 August, 2018, there will be the first road races on public roads in mainland Britain. Using legislation put through in 2016 that allows public roads to be used for racing, organisers have got permission for a 5.25 mile circuit in the Brecon Beacons to become a race track for a weekend. It’s on the site of the original Welsh TT, which ran from 1948 to 1954, and uses roads controlled by the Ministry of Defence, a few miles from the A40. And this is no Welsh Motogp-style pipedream – the MOD have granted permission, star riders are already signed up and key sponsors are on board. It’s really going to happen. TT winner Steve Plater is the event’s rider liaison officer and safety advisor. He told Bike: ‘When I got a call about the project earlier this year I said, “look, the first thing I need to do is to have a look at the track”. I was at the NW200, so when I got off the ferry in Scotland I rode down to Wales to see the site. I was very impressed with the surface, which is in good condition, and particularly with the lack of structures to hit. From that moment onwards, I was in. ‘It’ll take some flippin’ learning though because there are a lot of blind crests. There are lots of turns that you’ll take in third to start and when you’ve learnt the track you’ll do in 5th. Some sections are really fast, but you have to know you’rne goding where and of course there is only one meeting a year so it will be a tough challenge. But the best part about it from a safety point of view is that there’s not much to get into an argument with – no buildings or trees in the wrong places, and what signposts there are will be removed. Don’t get me wrong, the ground is hard, but the lack of things to hit makes it perfect for road racing. ‘I’ve ridden round it a few times but I was taking it steady because there were sheep grazing. It’s not a wide circuit – more like an Irish road race track. But because it’s so open it doesn’t feel cramped – there are no hedges so you can see where you’re going for a lot of the lap. That’s the main reason it will be a time trial (like the TT) not a mass start (like the North West 200, for example) – 50 riders going off elbow-to-elbow brings risks. I rode in quite a lot of rain and it drains really well. ‘It’s an MOD training facility but they are public roads, controlled by the MOD. It’s got three entrances, so spectators can be charged to come in. You can then spectate at lots of places but there will be three key areas, each with a massive view of the valley – you get 2.5 miles of riders coming towards you. Fabulous views. ‘It will clash with Thruxton BSB but that’s not a big problem. It’s a week before the Ulster GP and three weeks before the Classic TT.’