Aberscare

Went to Aberdare Park Motorcycle Races today or Aberscare as it is known by the riders, which is just under a mile road circuit situated not from the town centre. I've been going since I was a young lad when I went with my grandfather and father, and always make sure my diary is free for that weekend. When I first started going it only took place on the Saturday but now it is a two day event over Saturday and Sunday.

Why Aberscare? Well despite being just under a mile it is possible to average speeds of 83mph and the outright lap record is about 39 seconds. The track itself has some interesting challenges such as the Lake Esses and even some of the straights can be undulating in parts. But all around the track on the outside are the trees, park benches, flower beds and in places walls of the park itself, of course on race day these hazards are protected by bales of hay. But even then you consider travelling at 60-80mph and hitting one of those things, its no wonder they say these riders have balls of steel.

Some of the greatest motorcycle riders in the UK and the World have graced the track, for example F1 and World Motorcycle Champion, John Surtees. Other names include Mike Hailwood, Phil Read, Neil Tuxworth and TT Legends such as Jason Griffiths, Ian Lougher, William and Robert Dunlop and many, many more.

Two of my favourite riders though have to be 7 times World Superbike Champion, Carl Fogarty and Bill Swallow. I'm sure most motorsports fans remember Carl Fogarty but when he was starting his career in the 80s he was setting the Aberdare circuit alight with his skills and he was a hero to many a kid in Aberdare at that time. I doubt many people will have heard about Bill Swallow but he was and still is an Aberdare Park legend, and in his class races on his Velocette bike he was unbeatable. Every year he qualified for the main final up against the likes of Carl Fogarty and despite his equipment being perhaps outdated against theirs, gave a good account of himself often leading in the early laps.

I would recommend anyone going to Aberdare Park Motorcycle Races to see the thrills and spills; it is a great day or weekend out depending on how you do it.

This photo shows the lake esses and you can just see the bales of hay protecting the riders from ending up in the park lake with all the swans and ducks. I hope it gives an idea of how dangerous the park is but also how picturesque.