Aberdare Park Road Races 2024 is upon us and now it’s down to business. The highly anticipated event has even more of a buzz this year with the introduction on TV cameras, capturing the weekends racing for the King Of The Roads series on ITV4. And it certainly won’t disappoint.
Reigning Welsh Open champion Mark Goodings (#1) returns, fully motivated to defending his crown. The 32-year-old from Doncaster currently tops the Darley Moor Championship and has been keeping himself bike fit by competing at Olivers Mount and of course the Isle Of Man TT. Boasting the number 1 on his Yamaha R6, Goodings will be aiming to be using the same number next year.
But he’s got work to do. Trickbits Racing return to the Park with the 2022 Welsh Open Champion Ryan Dixon (#7). Dixon is on form and is leading the No Limits Pirelli Super Series 1000 and returns to Aberdare with Trickbits Racing. Expect Ryan to be up there to looking to get his crown back. Trickbits Racing will also be running hosting Lewis Jones (#25), with the youngster making his Aberdare Park debut. The young Welshman has been following the British Superbike calendar competing in the Supersport Cup, gaining invaluable experience at some of the best circuits in the UK. Aberdare Park is a different animal and Jones can use this opportunity to further enhance his development.
And then there’s Jay Bellers-Smith (#14) from Merthyr Tydfil. One of the most successful riders at Aberdare Park has won every single class during his career, but the Welsh Open has always been just out of reach. Jay returns to Aberdare Park with TH Racing, an experienced team from Northen Ireland who have given Jay two outings at Olivers Mount this season as well as an impressive debut meeting at Armoy last weekend. Jay is feeling sharp and ready to utilise his recent experience on the teams CBR600 to finally get that title. He’ll definitely be up there. TH Racing will also be giving Northern Irish rider Dean McMaster (#2) his Aberdare Park debut riding a 2024 spec Honda CBR600.
The Park Challenge may not be the blue-ribbon class, BUT it’s still incredibly competitive and one that they all want to win. Expect all of the front runners to be mixing it at the front.
With the Super Twin class gaining more exposure in recent years, the Sound Of Thunder is always well supported at Aberdare Park. Bellers-Smith is always competitive in this class and his hoping that the recent issues with the Smith’ Brothers KTM have been resolved for him to mount a challenge. The team have always enjoyed success at Aberdare Park so we expect them to be in the hunt.
Alex Sinclair (#42) is one of the most successful riders at Aberdare Park and will be riding his Aprilila 660 looking to get onto the top step. But he does have Ryan Dixon riding a Suzuki SV650 to contend with as well as Dean McMaster on the TH Racing Kawasaki, William Holland (#93) and local rider Michael Rees (#149) who is recovering from his off at this year’s North West 200.
The Golden Era / CB500 class takes on a short trip down memory lane with machinery dated up to 1992 taking the grid. Alex Sinclair boasts an extraordinary record in this class and will be riding a Ducati 748 in a bid to continue his form.
Tony Griffiths (#10) has enjoyed a lot of success in the lightweight and ultralightweight class in recent years and is expected to be near the front one again. Will Burchill (#49) will also be another one to watch, riding a ZXR 400. The Welshman made his Aberdare Park debut and has already shown his potential. He’ll be making his Manx GP debut later this month. Michael Rees and Alex Sinclair also join the grid as well as Oliver's Mount Race Director Andy Hayes (#99) who will be racing in three classes this weekend.
So, the waiting is nearly over and we’re certainly in for a treat this weekend. We’re wishing all of the riders and teams a safe and successful weekend at Aberdare Park! Let’s go!
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