The penultimate round of the R&G British Talent Cup heads to Oulton Park – arguably the riders and fans favourite circuit.

By Ed Lewis.

With just four races to go in the 2023 R&G British Talent Cup (Where has that gone?) RS Racings Evan Belford has what would seem a healthy 45 point championship advantage over his European talented team mate Amanuel Brinton. Breathing down their necks is the star of the second half of 2023 Wilson Racings Sullivan Mounsey who’s just 4 points within Brinton’s shadow. This stand out trio of the season have 100 points to fight over so the Road to Moto GP race is far from over. We have seen Chinks in Belford’s armor as the pressure mounts, Brinton is yet to set eyes on the Curves of the Cheshire circuit but it’s Manic Mounsey who’s the man on form and would be bookies favourite  with three wins in the last six rounds.  

There’s not much in the recent Oulton form books to give any clue to the outcomes, last year’s races were won by Johnny Garness and on form Harrison Dessoy respectively with the lap record owned by Garness at 147.907, the only sub 148 lap ever set on a standard Honda NSF250. Dessoys Creswell Racing team mate the American Julian Correa will be looking to make amends from his last lap crash last time here at Oulton.

Rocket Racing’s Rhys Stephenson took his first podium at this event in 2022, the Lincolnshire teenager will be looking to repeat that performance and put himself in the shop window for a possible move to a new class in 2024. Harrison MacKay (Wilson Racing) is now back to his former self and knows the Oulton Park undulations and cambers well, the young Lincolnshire lad certainly impressed at Thruxton and was awarded rider of the meeting.

Two others whose season gets stronger by the race are Lucas brown (SP125) and Ollie Walker (Mlav), neither rider can challenge for the title but are brimming with confidence and ready to spoil the RS racing celebrations, Walker has scored points in every race this year. Another MLav apprentice American Eli Banish has found some form scoring points in the last four rounds and slowly establishing himself as a front runner.

We can’t count out Filip Surowiak whose consistency has impressed us all season, the podium steps await. The other RS Racing pairing of Ronnie Harris and Clayton Edmunds will be ready to up their game to impress team owner Ryan Saxelby and secure a team spot for next year’s campaign.  Ryan Frost on the super quick Talentum Honda has one eye on the Oulton silverware and is the stand out rookie of the year so far.

Looking again at the 2022 season data there’s only 16 of the class of 2023 have raced the Oulton circuit in the past, behind the scenes former Grand Prix riders Matt Belchin and Alex Baldolini the Dorna  appointed R&G British Talent Cup rider coaches will have their knowledge stretched while pushing these teenagers to the maximum on the beautiful but technically demanding track that is Oulton Park.

Oulton Park 15-17th September.

Featured Images: Olithephoto.