BRSCC HEADS BACK TO THE VALLEYS AND PEMBREY CIRCUIT
It may have been 8 years since we made a trip to South Wales, but there’s no time like the present to make a comeback! For the first time since 2011, the BRSCC South Western Centre plays host to a highly anticipated weekend of racing at Pembrey Circuit in Llanelli. Not only that, but it will also be our first race meeting here that will make use of the new Clubmans layout which features a new technical section midway through the lap. Plenty of one-make racing is in store for those who love club motorsport.
Another healthy entry is set to turn out for the BRSCC Mazda MX-5 Championship, which saw a bumper 60+ car field take to Brands Hatch to begin the new season. While it’s not quite those numbers here at Pembrey, it’s still impressive with more than 40 cars set to take to the Welsh tarmac. While Ben Short won two of the opening three Group A races and Brian Trott the other, neither are entered on this occasion. That means that two-time defending champion Will Blackwell-Chambers get a chance at firing himself back into title contention after a Brands Hatch weekend in which he only made the podium once. He will be keen to get back to winning ways, but newcomer Joe Wiggin could be one of his biggest foes after taking two 3rd places in a superb debut weekend. Also set to fight for victory will be Oliver Allwood, John Langridge, Adam Bessell, Jason Greatrex, Steve Foden, Adam Craig, Jack Brewer and Matt Luff. Also, watch out for the many Masters competitors fighting for their own internal championship.
Also returning to the track after enjoying an excellent opening weekend is the Mazda MX-5 Super Series, albeit also with a reduced entry but mainly due to their sister championship, the MX-5 SuperCup, kicking off on the same weekend over at Snetterton. The Mk3 generation Mazda MX-5 is a fine small sportscar that allows both young and experienced drivers the chance to push it to the limit, while at the same time still being somewhat forgiving. Brands Hatch race winner James Kell will wish to bounce back from the accident that prematurely ended his race weekend, once again with father Darren in tow as both take to the track again. They’re set to find their stiffest competition in the form of Jo Marshall, Simon Fleet, Clive Powles and Jeremy Crook.
The BRSCC Fiesta Championship racing with MRF Tyres enjoyed two thrilling opening rounds at Silverstone just a couple of weeks ago, and now find themselves here at Pembrey ready to pick up where they left off. That weekend, both Zachary Lucas and Fiesta Junior graduate Isaac Smith picked up their first outright wins in the championship, and in Isaac’s case his first race win at senior level in his very first weekend! That said, both will be pressed hard across both days of competition by the likes of James Waite, Samuel Watkins, Jamie Going, Tom Hutchins, David Nye and Alastair Kellett. Plus, keep an eye out for the anticipated appearance of Specialized Motorsport boss Simon Horrobin as he begins his 2019 campaign.
In the junior ranks, the BRSCC Fiesta Junior Championship racing with MRF Tyres saw a thrilling battle all weekend at Silverstone between defending champion Magnus Kriklywi and Olly Turner. In the end, Turner would put in two gutsy performances to pick up his first two race victories since his began his FJC journey in 2017. He will hope to keep this form up here at Pembrey, especially as Kriklywi isn’t set to be present. Looking to chase him down will be Joel Wren, Ted Potts, Alfie Glenie and Abby Lock, while Joseph Loake is a welcome newcomer to the championship just days after his 14th birthday.
Providing support to the BRSCC content will be the Welsh Saloons & Sports Car Championship providing a fantasticly diverse entry amongst many classes. Keith Butcher should be seen as the main favourite for outright wins in his thunderous V10 engined Audi R8 LMS in Class D, but there will be plenty of battles amongst the other classes to keep spectators entertained. Watch for Glynne Jones, Damian Longatano and Nick Crompton to dice it out in Class CS, Mike Moss’ Class BS Caterham Supersport and even a pair of Ford KAs in Class AT adding to the excellent mix of makes, models and specifications on display here this weekend.
Scott Woodwiss
