IT'S "Thunder in the Park" this weekend as the long established Aberdare Park motorcycling road race meeting takes place.
The historic event first opened its gates to racing in 1950, and thanks to the enthusiasm of the Aberaman Motorcycle Club and commitment from Aberdare Council and residents the park has attracted some of the biggest motorcycle racers during that time.
An 18-year-old John Surtees — the only world champion on two and four wheels — claimed his first ever race win on the tricky 0.9 mile circuit, with the glittering stars like Mike Hailwood, Phil Read and John Cooper thundering through the hilltop woodland in the town, while in 1988 Carl Fogarty set a new outright lap record of 42.5 seconds.
This weekend, Isle of Man legend and five times TT winner Ian Hutchinson visits the track, with a selection of racing machines available for 'Hutchy' to entertain the crowds around the circuit.
The Aprilia 125, once raced by Valentino Rossi, will be among a number of historic bikes appearing, many from the "Racing Legends Collection" of Phil Morris, principal of Morris Oils.
The aim is to raise funds for the Racing Legends charity. On track, Martin Simpson — who put in an impressive performance on his 600cc Supersport bike last season — roars back to contention, along with 2013 TT winner James Hillier with local honour upheld by Merthyr rider Jay Bellers-Smith, who has an impressive record around Aberdare Park.
With the return of the Sidecar outfits, a packed schedule, a host of other on and off track displays, memorabilia, plus attractions for the younger visitors, the Park looks set to thunder in style and it will be a weekend not to be missed.
The action got underway at 9am this morning, as it will again tomorrow. Admission £11 adults and £3.50 for children (6-15). Visit www.aberdarepark.co.uk for more information.
The regulations for round five of the West Wales Rally Spares RAC Rally Championship, the Amman & District MC Red Kite Stages, have been published.
Heavy snow on the original January date forced the team at Amman and District Motor Club to postpone the event, which will now run over the same route on Sunday, September 8. Regulations and entry forms are available at www.redkitestages.co.uk
