Street-based motorbike racer Damon Smith has finished fifth in the NG Road Racing Championships after an eventful weekend's racing in Wales.

Last weekend, Damon competed in the final rounds of the championships at Pembrey Circuit in South Wales.

Going into the weekend he was lying in a fairly safe sixth position overall in the championship onboard the DS Racing Kawasaki, so he just needed to finish every race and grab a handful of points to stay in that position and nurse the bike through the weekend with the gearbox beginning to cause problems again by jumping out of fourth gear.

The Friday test day went well staying dry and becoming smoother and quicker as the day progressed.

Damon said: "Saturday free practice and qualifying, I managed ninth position in class on the grid but rain was threatening later in the day.

"For Race 1 the weather had turned and persistent heavy rain was falling meaning wet tyres and suspension settings were applied.

"On the grid my visor was steaming up, there were puddles on the racing line and I spent most of the race just trying to see where my braking markers, the white lines and apex points were. I was certainly glad to see the chequered flag crossing the line in eighth position.

"Race 2 on Sunday was dry but I got a bad start and got held up in a first hairpin corner entanglement which happened right in front of me almost running over a fallen rider which left me stone last until the red flag was waved to stop the race.

"On the restart I got a better start and four laps in lined up and successfully passed Ryan Jones into Hatchetts Hairpin only to run just an inch wide off the rumble strips onto the dirt on the exit and having a huge near 'high-side' off the bike with me and the bike making all kinds of shapes but somehow stayed on and finished in eighth gaining a round of applause from the spectators and marshals on the slow down lap.

"For Race 3, after the last race and the gearbox issues I had, I played it safe to bring it home, which I did in seventh place.

"My points gained at Pembrey also lifted me to fifth position in the overall championship this year out of 29 riders, not quite as good as last year's second but that's racing.

"Massive thanks to all my sponsors who have helped me this year - Simon Lane and Steve Whitear of market leading and world renowned HEL Performance for the amazing brakes and suspension package and advice, Andy Forbes-Buckingham of AFB Motorcycles, Dan Howley of Twosixfit Gym and Fitness Centre, Paul and Judith Redmore of P J Parcels, Adi Sully of Vehicle Life Support, Mark Hawks of MPH Telecom, Carl Woodward of Woodward Insurance and Mortgage Services, John Holdsworth of R&Ts Fish Bar Glastonbury, Roger Stacey of RA Stacey Plant Hire, Julie Williams of Ambrosini Construction Group, Nigel and Julie Eddleston Dike of EDP Photo News, Opie Oils and ParSigns.

"Also big thanks to all the Club 23 members, without all your help it wouldn't be possible to compete and chase the dream.

"Also big thanks to my amazing partner Cat for all your love and support in good and tough times throughout the year, and helping me to change wheels and tyres according to the weather. Big plans are already underway for 2022 so watch this space.

"If you would like to advertise your business in a unique and different way please get in contact with me via Facebook or Instagram searching for DS Racing Kawasaki #23 or email at [email protected] to find out more."