Thruxton to host NGRRC finale

The final round of the 2013 NG Road Racing Championship takes place at the ultra-fast Thruxton circuit on Saturday October 12.

The last of a nine-round series that began at Brands Hatch in March, Thruxton will, provide a fitting climax, riders doing battle not just with each other, but also the infamous bumps and undulations around the quickest circuit on the UK mainland.

With Superbikes able to lap at well over 105mph and topping out at over 170mph, the 40 strong grid is not a place for the faint-hearted. Expect the big bikes to push the pace, but do not be surprised if some of the 250 GPs and 600s start mixing it, as slipstreaming keeps the lighter bikes in touch.

WH Bond Kawasaki rider Josh Day is one to watch, having already experienced Thruxton this year in the BSB National Superstock series. The 25-year-old Cirencester rider pulled off a points finish, just ahead of TT supremo John McGuiness, back in April.

Day, a former National 600 champion, now runs his ZX10 in the NG Road Racing Phoenix Open and Powerbike series, as well as the National series. He sits second in both classes, behind 13 time NG champion Phil Bevan, riding a very trick Yamaha R1 in his own track day company colours.

Day and Bevan are expected to fight it out for the top step of the podium, but Paul Shook, Liam Murtaugh, Darren Rumley, Leigh Corfield and Steven Griffiths will be hoping to cause an upset.

As an added bonus, Thruxton will also witness the final round of the 250 GP ACU National championship, where ex-GP bikes battle for honours. Defending champion Dan Jackson with his Team Sigie TZ250 goes into the final round with a slender nine-point lead over Chris Martin on the very rapid RS250 Honda.

But the Wayside Garages 600cc class could provide the hottest action on track, with over a dozen proven winners well capable of challenging top man of 2013 Peter Carr with his ZX6R Kawasaki.

Nick Anderson along with Chris Hawkes, Dave Manley, Paul Jeffery and another National 600 runner Dale Thomas are the main threats. Also keep an eye on Matt Odgen, who had a top ten finish at that British 600cc round back in April and, as a former motocrosser, Thruxton's bumps hold no fear for him and his R6.

The increasingly popular Mini Twins class is also sure to be close, with the mainly SV650 Suzukis on the limit for most of the lap, making slipstreaming vital. Kevin Davies on his NPMC SV650 will start as the man to beat with Justin Garrett, Nigel Reed and local man Tom Blackwell also expected to be in contention for a final win.

Fast lady Shannon Hale has already secured the F400 class for production-based 400cc machines for an unprecedented third successive year, and will be aiming to collect more silverware.

The big-booming Sound of Thunder machines are headed up by two-time class champ Darren Rumley on his immaculate KTM RC8. Standing between Rumley and victory are likely to be Southampton's Nick Williamson on his SP1 Honda and former British 848 Ducati champ Leon Morris, from nearby Stockbridge. Top novice of 2013 Dave Mackay will also be in the mix on his very special KTM RC8.

A full list of support classes also includes Mini Twins, Streetstocks and the popular sidecars.

Admission prices are ?14 for adults with Children under 15 and paddock access for free.