© John Lockett

Round Two – Riders on the Storm 

The return to Oulton Park for Round Two looked set to be a meeting to remember… as it turned out, it was.

An incredible entry list of 40 post classic 250s and 350s cemented the success of Round One at Brands Hatch. However, the weather forecast showed Storm Hannah was set to sweep across the UK bringing heavy rain, very cold temperatures and gale force winds.

Getting ready 

The morning rain on Friday cleared to allow the GP Originals paddock to get set up, scrutineered and signed-on. Andy and Shelagh Reynolds did a sterling job of getting our own line of machines through swiftly.

During the early hours the winds began gusting up to 40mph with driving heavy rain. This set the scene for a relentless onslaught throughout the entire race day.

Dan Jackson sporting a period cagoule for scrutineering  © John Lockett

Ian Cowles 250cc and Roy Chapman 350cc enjoy the calm before the storm  © John Lockett

Qualifying

Only a few riders had decided to heed the forecast altogether and stay at home. At 10am an impressive 29 frozen racers gathered in the assembly area to attempt to qualify.

Despite the harrowing conditions the bikes looked impressive on track, especially taking into account that every rider was on treaded Avon Tyres – no wets here.

Phil Atkinson secured pole postion on the Rose MOT Centre TZ350 with a 2:19.373. The 250cc of Gary Vines took the number two grid spot at 2:24.399, closely followed by Mike Russell on the final front row position with 2:24.560. The next two 250cc riders were the EMC Rotax of Jamie O’Brien and the TZ of Rich Grinling, respectively 8th and 11th on-the-road.

Dan Jackson and Richard Wilson were both receiving a baptism of fire for their inaugural outing on these post classic machines. Jackson’s first foray on treaded Avons rewarded him with a position at head of the second row. Wilson joined him in 6th placing Glen English in between the two newbies.

Sighting the circuit revealed a considerable amount of debris on the track including tree branches and expanses of standing water. Understandably some elected to call it a day. Expecting to be a reserve Andy Williamson probably wished he hadn't made the list!

Assembled in the puddles for qualifying © John Lockett

Racing for grip

Sadly we didn’t get to experience the 14 row starting grid as promised, but 22 riders decided to give it a go. The rest of us huddled together on pitwall to support the hardy souls who were determined to make it a race.

Gary Vines had proved his wet weather expertise in Portimão and took the lead from lights out. Atkinson gave chase determined not to repeat the experience of being beaten by a 250. On the 2nd loop #24 was in the lead and pushed hard to produce his best lap of 2:16.313 just to be sure.

Former ACU 250 National Championship winner Jackson was quick to master the lack of grip and passed Vines to 2nd position on the approach to lap three. JL Exhausts rider Chris Moore followed suit for third.

Glen English struggled race long with a misting visor which ended his race as he crashed out on the final lap. Mike Farrall also fell foul of the excess water as he aquaplaned off his Charlie Williams liveried 350 Maxton. Neil Watson suffered a chicane miscalculation that collected the Rotax of Jamie O’Brien. Luckless Mike Smith took on yet another DNF on the second lap.

Class acts throughout 

The action was building in the Masters category. Mark Edge, looking determined to capitalise on his success at Brands, had taken charge of the over-55s field. However, 2018 Masters Champ Tony Perkin had other plans. Wet weather fan Perkin, caught and passed Edge in time to take the flag as the leading fast Master. Mark Henrys, Kevin Rowbotham, Dave Grigson, Ewan Hamilton and Keith Millen all put on a great show in the ultra-competitive Masters class.

Of the 13 250s Dave Grigson was left to fly the green plate flag alongside Vines. With O’Brien now out, Brooks, Pond, Linton, Cowles, Grinling, Burman and Arnold watched from pitwall. Colin Sleigh had the forethought to abstain! The Xclusiv Group 250 for Cameron Harris was on the reserve list and likewise, stayed home.

Glen English from Dan Jackson and Chris Moore as Jamie O'Brien and Neil Watson crash out
© Alpha Digital Media

Apocalyptic conditions

As the day wore on the weather deteriorated even further and the timetable was inevitably stretched. Race 11 had been stopped and there was now oil down on the circuit. After a delay the final GP Originals race took off at 17:24 now down to 14 starters. Many described it as the worst racing weather they had ever experienced with the fierce winds and driving horizontal rain.

Once again Gary Vines launched the 250 to the front but Atkinson had it under control by the first circuit. Jackson, Wilson and Moore all looking for podium finishes. Vines retired a few laps in from lack of fuel. A symptom of the stressful, freezing day and the long pause in the assembly area. Jackson retired as the excessive water produced machine issues.

Lansdowne and Goodwood regular Ian Bain persevered with the conditions for his first outing on the Andy Reynolds TZ but retired on the warm up lap. Ever enthusiastic Scotsman Ewan Hamilton made one circuit on the 320.

The orange jacket of Mark Edge is just a formality that masks his 1980s experience. He made an eager pass at Knickerbrook but by lap four he slid out of contention. Ship’s Captain Mark Henrys looked comfortable in the water and slipped past Tony Perkin to secure the Masters victory and 5th on-the-road.

On the final lap Moore passed the loaned Maxton piloted by Richard Wilson to collect 2nd place. Neil Watson recovered from his earlier spill and finished in 6th followed by the 250 Juchem of Dave Grigson. The 350s of Graham Higlett and George Thomas rounded out the nine hardy finishers – all suffering with sticking throttles, misfires or other water related problems!

A disappointing day especially for those that has travelled so far including Keith Millen from Ireland, Glen English from Cornwall and Ewan Hamilton from Scotland.

The prizes

Due to the horrendous conditions everyone dispersed at speed during the day or as soon as the last race had run. We didn’t hold our customary prize giving and now have a bevy of trophies and prize money to distribute!

Each podium finisher will receive a bottle of Titanic Brewery beer which you can collect at Round Three Cadwell Park. Prize money can be collected at Pembrey this weekend from Louise Perkin or we’ll be in touch to make other arrangements. Wirral Hundred trophies will also be brought to Pembrey/Cadwell for collection.

Our excellent prize fund package for our main championships has been genorously provided by: Xclusiv Group • Maxton Suspension • TTS Exports • AD Modular • Steve Foster Cranes

250cc results

• £200 1st 250cc: Dave Grigson
• £150 2nd 250cc: Gary Vines
• £50 fastest 250cc lap: Gary Vines (2:20.510)

350cc results

• £200 1st 350cc: Phil Atkinson
• £150 2nd 350cc: Chris Moore
• £100 3rd 350cc: Richard Wilson
• £75 4th 350cc: Tony Perkin
• £50 5th 350cc: Mark Henrys
• £50 fastest 350cc lap: Phil Atkinson (2:16.313)

Masters (over-55s) results

• £50 1st placed Master: Tony Perkin
• £30 2nd placed Master: Mark Henrys
• £20 3rd placed Master: Dave Grigson
• Gasket Guru voucher 4th: Mark Edge

Next highest finishers

• NGK Spark Plugs voucher: Dan Jackson
• NGK Spark Plugs voucher: Graham Higlett
• Ragged Edge Racing voucher: Neil Watson
• Ragged Edge Racing voucher: Jason Burrill

JL Exhausts highest finishers

• £100 1st JL finisher: Chris Moore

Awards throughout the field

• Tony Green Racing special achievement: Ewan Hamilton
• Avon Tyre draw: TBC at Cadwell
• Steve Carthy Racing with Larsson draw: TBC at Cadwell
• Titanic Gin gift bag: Jemma Hannaford
• Gorilla Glue early entry rewards: x20 riders
• O’Keefe’s gift bags: x20 hard working team members

GP Originals is supported by:

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