Sport In Profile UK Issue 10 | Page 49

Aberdare Park aberdare park road races road races T he first ever meeting at Aberdale Park was held on the 30th September 1950 with competitors at that point including local riders such as M L Thomas and Eric Phillips. Despite poor weather around 15,000 spectators attended the event. Aberdare Park holds the distinction of being the only race circuit in Britain that is situated less than half a mile from the town centre. It is a picturesque 0.9 mile circuit that makes its way through the local town park and is around 30 miles North West of Cardiff. The club is currently led by the team of Chairman Derek Smith and President Howard Bellers Smith and have been progressing well under their guidance. Derek has been with the club for 11 years and works hard setting up the park and running paddock exit and also acts as the infield manager. He is also a qualified technical officer and sound inspector. Howard plays a part in many different aspects of the club and is a qualified Technical official and sound inspector. Additionally he mentors junior Road racer Alex Smith and has many years’ experience of road racing. This year’s Aberdare Park Motorcycle Road Races took place with typical British weather as blazing sunshine on the first day was replaced by leaden skies and torrential rain for the Sunday. The conditions for the Sunday created slippery conditions that meant that the red flag had to be brought out on many occasions but thankfully no riders were injured. Dan Cooper had won the Welsh Open in both 2013 and 2014 and was in fine form in www.aberdare-park-road-races.co.uk www.sportip.biz 49