The British Truck Racing Championship hits the road to South Wales this weekend (May 20/21) to headline what promises to be an action-packed Convoy Cymru at Pembrey Circuit.
Nearly six weeks on from a captivating curtain-raiser at Brands Hatch, the heavyweight behemoths make the first of two visits to the picturesque venue in 2023 to write the latest chapter of what is already shaping up to be a sensational season.
Taking centre stage on-track with five unmissable races, the BTRC is just one of many attractions that will be on show to the bumper crowd that is expected to flock to one as the biggest and best truck shows in Wales.
Running for the second year in succession, Convoy Cymru will see a full programme of racing entertain on-track whilst show trucks, freestyle motocross performances, live music, trade stands and a fun fair will dazzle those in attendance off it.
Smith holds the early advantage in Division 1
Division 1 sees a familiar face sitting atop the standings; seven-time reigning champion Ryan Smith. Breaking cover with his new Daimler Freightliner last month, Smith scored a hat-trick of race wins to claim an early points lead and he’ll be hungry for more this weekend.
As is always the case, the Mansfield-based driver isn’t expected to have things his own way as there are a host of contenders all hot on his heels and leading the chase is fellow multiple champion Stuart Oliver.
Charging to a pair of victories himself at Brands Hatch, the Volvo VNL driver will be optimistic that he can maintain his front-running form around a circuit that he has typically always gone well at in the past.
David Jenkins – another former champion – was a frequent visitor to the podium last time out and he’ll be eager to make a first trip to the top step whilst Simon Reid and Bradley Smith will be keen to maintain their positions inside the top five.
Craig Reid, Jock Borthwick and John Bowler all showed encouraging pace at Brands whilst the quartet of Steven Powell, Michael Oliver, Tom O’Rourke and Simon Cole will be hoping for more consistency after finding themselves in strife at times during the season-opener.
Rounding out the Division 1 entries – both of whom who’ll be hoping for better luck than they endured at the season-opener — is Simon Faulkner and Richard Collett.
All to play for in Division 2
If the evidence of Brands Hatch is anything to go by then the battle for supremacy in Division 2 is going to go down to the wire.
Heading into the new season many had tipped Adam Bint and John Powell to be the front-runners for the crown and so far they’ve dually lived up to the hype after sharing the spoils in Kent; with Bint scoring three wins and Powell two.
Whilst they showcased they’ll undoubtedly be forces to be reckoned with, both Bint and Powell will need to be at their best if they wish to end this weekend in the pound seats towards the summit of the standings.
Craig Evans will be one to watch after narrowly missing out on a first-ever series win last month. With an abundance of speed in his armoury, it’s only a matter of time before he stands on top step of the podium.
NAPA Racing UK – the hugely successful British Touring Car Championship outfit – are locked in for a full campaign and with Paul Rivett at the wheel, big things could be on the horizon.
No stranger to the BTRC, Rivett began the season with a few mechanical gremlins but with them expected to all be rectified, he could be a tour-de-force in his striking blue and yellow MAN TGX.
Rounding out the Division 2 entry is Jim Bennett, who has made a popular return to the grid with his Seddon Atkinson. Back amongst it after a handful of years on the sidelines, Bennett will look to made further strides in both pace and position this weekend.
Don’t miss a second of the action
Saturday 20th May | D1 Qualifying: 10:05 / D2 Qualifying: 10:35 / Race 1: 12:45 / Race 2: 16:05
Sunday 21st May | Warm Up: 09:00 / Race 3: 10:20 / Race 4: 12:35 / Race 5: 15:20
All races will be streamed online for free via the British Truck Racing Championship YouTube channel; with Saturday’s broadcast beginning at 12:20 and Sunday’s at 09:45.
Ticket information for the event can be found by visiting HERE.