Having had a fortnight to dry out after a very wet meeting at Cadwell all riders will be looking forward to some dry racing. With an excellent entry expect to see some exciting racing right through the field.
Through consistency, preparation, a thoroughly professional approach and also a pinch of very good riding, Alan Armour #4 (RGV) is beginning to stamp his authority on the championship. With a 100% record it is difficult to see how any of the others are going to catch him. With the F250 almost in the bag, Alan’s attention is very much focused on keeping his F400 title and his focus has to be to beat Paul Ellerker #37 (ZXR) – expect to see these two engaged in what is almost a private battle.
Though Alan has an almost unassailable lead in the championship he won’t have an easy time. Our three experienced newcomers to the series, Dan Williams #174 (NSR), Steve Pond #173 (RGV) and Roy Thorpe #362 (NSR) are coming up to speed. The two Honda mounted riders, Dan and Roy, seem to have eliminated the gremlins that plagued them in the early part of the season and Roy was flying on a very sweet sounding machine at Cadwell. With this being the first season the Honda’s have been raced competitively in the F250, both riders are still in the process of developing their machines. Expect these two to get quicker as the season progresses. Unfortunately, Steve Pond missed Cadwell, as his race van was stolen and burnt out just before the meeting, so this will be his second outing in the F250. Expect to see this seasoned racer, who had some very good results with the North Gloucester club last year, near the front.
Our Scottish racer Iain McDonald #226 (Aprilia) racing on what is effectively a standard machine, has his work cut out keeping with the faster machines. Iain suffered at Cadwell with a slipping clutch, but expect both him and Ross Searle #52 (Aprilia) who is currently second in the championship to be up front flying the Aprilia flag.
Mark Jordan #96 (KR-1S) following his fall, whilst leading, last time out at Mallory was definitely off the pace at Cadwell. With a further two weeks to recover he should hopefully be back up to speed.
With our previous Mallory meeting being the first time, John Stacey #120 (NSR), Dave Reynolds #77 (Aprilia) and Scott Mills #180 (KR-1S) raced they will be looking to see how they improve at what will be their second race meeting. Joining them for their first outing in the F250 will be novices Mark Foulds #106 (RGV) and Martin Pascoe #88 (Aprilia). Mark is riding Chris Smith’s old RGV.
The battle for Division II of the F250 is between Dino Brady #85, Matthew Graves and Mark Bamford (all RGV). Mark lost his lead in Division II at Cadwell when a piston broke on the Saturday. He got out on the Sunday using his spare engine but by then Dino and Matthew had stolen the lead and both now have a 10 point advantage over Mark. Expect to see Scott Mills, Dave Reynolds and our irregular regulars, Nigel Holmes #149 (RGV) and Alan Grindey #157 (KR-1S) up their stealing points in the Division II battle.
37 PAUL ELLERKER EASINGWOLD KAWASAKI ZXR 400
4 ALAN ARMOUR HUMBERSTON SUZUKI RGV 250
400 DEAN DICKINSON SCUNTHORPE YAMAHA FZR 400
41 RUSS BATES DONCASTER KAWASAKI ZXR 400
175 THOMAS FISHER LAMBLEY HONDA VFR 400 N
52 ROSS SEARLE AYLESBURY APRILIA RS 250
24 STEPHEN CHURCHYARD NORWICH KAWASAKI ZXR 400
96 MARK JORDAN STOCKTON KAWASAKI KR1S 250
53 CHRIS WATERS LOUTH KAWASAKI ZXR 400
66 RICK OWEN LINCOLN KAWASAKI ZXR 400
172 TIM BRADLEY SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR HONDA 400
226 IAIN McDONALD EAST KILBRIDE APRILIA RS 250
132 FAYE WHITTAKER NORTHAMPTON KAWASAKI ZXR 400
85 DINO BRADY MORECAMBE SUZUKI RGV 250 N
86 CHRIS SMITH FILLONGLEY KAWASAKI ZXR 400
157 ALAN GRINDEY KENDAL KAWASAKI KR1S 250
149 NIGEL HOLMES CLEE HILL SUZUKI RGV 250
173 STEVE POND TETBURY SUZUKI RGV 250
180 SCOTT MILLS COTGRAVE KAWASAKI KR1S 250
88 MARTIN PASCOE EDMONTON APRILIA RS 250 N
174 DAN WILLIAMS SUTTON COLDFIELD HONDA NSR250
146 PAUL TEASDALE HEDDON-ON-THE-WALL KAWASAKI ZXR 400
120 JOHN STACEY CODNOR HONDA NSR 250 N
106 MARK FOULDS HUCKNALL SUZUKI RGV 250 N
362 ROY THORPE POYNTON HONDA NSR 250
240 ROBERT MACK BARNSLEY YAMAHA FZR 400
241 DANIEL MACK BARNSLEY YAMAHA FZR 400
77 DAVID REYNOLDS DUDLEY APRILIA RS 250 N
97 DAVID WORRALL BLIDWORTH HONDA 400 N
Noticed Mark Bamford and Matthew Graves not entered :head_hurts_kr:
Still a few places left if you fancy a go get in touch with John.
Also the Open 400 will have its own grid - I am entering as it gives me a chance to warm up prior to the F400/F250 race.
Thats not on really is it. Why didn't you win the others Roy?
Rushing back down stairs to pump up the tyres on the Forum racer.. we need a bit more of that. _________________ If I have to take the carbs off once more...
Well done Roy I said you would win soon but I said it would be Brands so its even better. _________________ Harley Davidson is the worlds most efficient way to turn petrol into noise without the harmful side effect of horsepower.
I don`t know who was more happy at the F400 win, Dan or myself! Dan was jumping up and down at the paddock gate as I came in! We`ve got a true NSR fan there! Thanks Dan.
It was pretty much raining all the time from Saturday night and all through Sunday.
The first race, the Open 400 started pretty well this time, the bike was still playing up but launched quite well for some reason. I was on grid position No. 6, so I stayed up with the leaders. I had a good feeling that I could get a win this time, as I was in 3rd feeling comfortable. The race was stopped due to a crash. The restart went as all the others have, with me fighting my way backwards from the start! The bike was a 125 all the way round Gerrards again, dead last. Anyway, it kicked back in so I just went as hard as I could, finished 4th. Too much of a gap to make up on the leaders.
I was fed up & decided it was time to start pulling connectors apart looking for problems on the electrical side, convinced it now had nothing to do with the carbs. Eventually traced the problem to the ignition pick up for the front cylinder.
Next race was the F400, grid position No.19. Had a practice start on the warm-up lap which proved all was okay. I got the best start ever & tagged onto the back of the leaders. Managed to get to the front & pull a gap. Got a bit hairy on the last lap as I was lapping a novice who tried to race me. He tried to force me onto the grass at the lake esses, which I thought was a bit unsporting!
Anyway, I was over the moon! My Dad was there to see it too, which was a bit special.
The second Open 400 race had me on grid position No.4! I was expecting to fly into Gerrards near the front. Not quite! The bike bogged down due to getting too cold on the "warm" up lap! I went backwards to about mid-field. Got the hump & ragged it back to 2nd place, going for 1st when the leader over cooked it at Gerrards. So, I was leading with Dan snapping at my heels when the red flags came out at the hairpin. I really wanted that win too. They called the race, which meant the result was taken from a lap before the crash. I didn`t realise at the time, the bloke who crashed was the geezer I was hassling around Gerrards for 1st place. There was a mix-up & they awarded the win to this bloke as he was leading me across the line the lap before! He even went up & collected the trophy too! Mark Jordan pointed out the cock-up, so they changed the result, cheers Mark. So, I ended up winning the race! Albeit not the way I wanted to.
By the time of the last race, the second F400, all the late nights were catching up on me! I wasn`t really looking forward to it, cold, wet & tired, again! Went out anyway, grid position No.1 !!!!!!!!
Didn`t get that good a start, fluffed it up a bit. Was about 10th into Gerrards. I just rode round right on the outside of the track & came out in 2nd place, flew into the Edwinas chicane a "bit hot" underneath Paul Elleker & came out in the lead. Ross Searle was going well & pushing me for the lead. I "shut the door" on him at the chicane which dropped him back a bit, I could see him coming back though! I thought we had another lap to go when he got past at the hairpin, as they didn`t hold the flag out for Ross & myself the lap before. Anyway, he rode well & I had to give best to him on this occassion.
So all in all a very good weekend.
Got to get to bed earlier and get some exercise now though!
Now the bike`s sorted I can concentrate on going fast.
Can do better yet!
Got to try & get some good results in the dry now!
Cheers
Roy.
Unless Fontyyy is going to tell us does anyone know how Fontyyy got on ??? _________________ Harley Davidson is the worlds most efficient way to turn petrol into noise without the harmful side effect of horsepower.
Maxim, I think we`ll wait & see at Brands. Hoping for a dry day, it`s rained every time I`ve been to Brands in the past! I`ve never ridden well there yet. Feeling more confident this time though!
Mike, I`ve been meaning to thank you again for the stuff I got from you.
Hope you`ve seen the pictures of the bike. I decided to use the standard seat in the end as it was less hassle to fit.
I`ve seen my old mate Dave Hedison at the last two meets, he`s riding at Brands this weekend too.
Donnington is on July 8th.
Wayne, I saw John a few times on Sunday. He seemed happy enough considering the conditions. Not ideal for novices, it`s all experience though. He said he`d knocked three seconds off his lap times by the third race, so was improving.
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