Sweeping through to round two 

As the country takes one step closer to normality, GP Originals’ riders headed for Donington Park for what should hopefully be the last ‘no spectators’ event of 2021. NG Road Racing hosted the event which was a homecoming for the many former ACU 250 regulars amongst us.

Friday testing was dry and all our post-classic, two-strokes survived the 98db drive-by noise limit. Our entry for this event was bursting with three reserves on the list queued up behind the 40 confirmed entrants. Six no-shows proved that being a reserve is never a wasted effort with inclement weather in the forecast.  

Getting ahead of the curve

The overnight rain cleared leaving practice and qualifying damp which kept lap times in check. With all on treaded Avon tyres, regardless of the weather, making the wrong call was not to be an issue for our riders. 

The tricky conditions proved appealing to BE Event Hire’s Ant Hart who took command of the 350cc Motocarb Motopole award by more than two seconds from Atkinson. GTR George Thomas surprised a few and secured his seat on the front row. The green-plated 250s saw Phil Stead as the £50 Motopole winner with Gary Vines next and newcomer Michael Grigson 3rd fastest 250.

Drying out for racing

Several riders had sniffed out a second ride in the ACU 250 and 125 race, swelling grid numbers and making the weekend something of a two-stroke special. The post-classic action from GP Originals delivered plenty of excitement throughout the field as we all knew it would. Hart took the early lead from Atkinson and the pair enjoyed swapping places through to the flag. Atkinson claimed victory with a last lap push into the 1:18s, just 0.501 ahead of Hart. Chris Moore rounded out the Maxton Suspension sponsored 350 podium finishers after battling his way through from a back of the grid start.

The 250 battle saw Gary Vines take off leaving Phil Stead to start from the back following a fuel tap malfunction (not turning it on). A charge right through the field brought Stead through in 9th on-the-road at the first pass of the line despite even further gains lost in an excursion into the gravel at Roberts chicane. The expected terrier attack from Masters Championship leader Nigel Palmer on the QRG 250L was all that remained to finally secure the 250 win and 4th overall from Palmer by 0.9. Vines collected 3rd of the AD Modular sponsored 250cc runners.

In the ever-competitive CBG Contractors Masters, Nigel Palmer took first on the penultimate lap from 350 mounted Nick Williamson by 0.400. An on-form Roy Chapman, just one second back, chased through to third. All three of our fastest Masters easily within the top 10 overall.

Keith Millen struggled with a broken exhaust spring causing his pipe to part company with the cylinder. In true Irish road racing style Millen persevered, holding it together with his foot before finally conceding defeat and pulled in. George Thomas had a heavy night of bike stripping ahead as loss of sixth gear curtailed his earlier impressive form. Jamie Edwards was another back of the grid starter and pushed the Tappenyaki Racing Spondon through to 11th overall across the line.

Spirit and determination

The weekend provided an example of the superb camaraderie and wealth of experience within our paddock. Chris Rose generously provided a bike for Jason Burrill as untimely repairs would have kept him off the grid. Lea Gourlay helped out a lengthy list of riders including a trip home to weld Andy Glasgow’s frame for the opportunity to race on Sunday. Ken Hill couldn’t ride this weekend but gave up his newly built engine for John Hannaford. Loaned barrels, exhaust pipes, ignitions and a host of other parts got people out racing who would have otherwise been going home. That is just a small list of the endeavours that went on, epic performance by all 👏

Back to the racing

Early morning sunshine brought hope of more predictable conditions for Sunday’s two GP Originals races and we got lucky each time despite loud claps of thunder in the afternoon!

Atkinson was back to the front again for the first outing with the smaller 250cc of Stead getting up into 2nd on the opening laps. Hart and Moore both took a turn in front of Stead during the race. They crossed the line with Atkinson clear of Hart but Stead split the 350cc podium, wedging himself between Hart and Moore. Atkinson bagged the £50 Redline Motorcycles fastest 350cc lap of the weekend at 1:17.286

Nigel Palmer came through 1.589 seconds behind Stead to claim 2nd 250 with Gary Vines taking another 3rd spot despite battling a few gremlins over course of the weekend.

The over-55s Masters panned out in similar style to Saturday. Palmer took the honours with Williamson and Chapman in close combat.

The last race

Our final race dodged the showers and again gave Atkinson the confidence to hold the lead from Hart and a determined Dan Walling. Phil Stead had other plans for his 250 and held 2nd on-the-road for half race distance and secured the £50 Redline Motorcycles Fastest 250cc lap at 1:18.762.

Palmer and Vines again rounded out the 250 podium but a strong show from Mark Linton for 4th and a near photo-finish between Mike Grigson and Siân Brooks for 5th and 6th of the 250s provided some chequered flag excitement.

With 15 Masters out on track the over-55s was looking fiercely competitive once again. Nigel Palmer made it a clean sweep of victories but this time around Roy Chapman took a convincing 2nd over Nick Williamson who had managed to miss the warm-up lap!

Cash prizes and further rewards

Our excellent prize fund package for our main championships has been genorously provided by: AD Modular • Maxton Suspension • CBG Contractors • Xclusiv Group • RM Cycles

Each top three finisher across 250cc, 350cc and Masters receives a bottle of Crankshaft Brewery GP Originals Premix beer.

AD Modular 250cc results

• £50 Motocarb Motopole 250cc: Phil Stead
• £50 Redline Motorcycles 250cc fastest lap (1:18.762): Phil Stead
• £200 1st 250cc: Phil Stead
• £150 2nd 250cc: Nigel Palmer
• £100 3rd 250cc: Gary Vines
• £75 4th 250cc: Siân Brooks
• £50 5th 250cc: Warren Beese
• NGK Spark Plugs voucher 5th 250cc: Michael Grigson
• Ragged Edge voucher 6th 250cc: Dave Grigson

Maxton Suspension 350cc results

• £50 Motocarb Motopole 350cc: Ant Hart
• £50 Redline Motorcycles 350cc fastest lap (1:17.286): Phil Atkinson
• £200 1st 350cc: Phil Atkinson
• £150 2nd 350cc: Ant Hart
• £100 3rd 350cc: Chris Moore
• £75 4th 350cc: Dan Walling
• £50 5th 350cc: Jamie Edwards
• NGK Spark Plugs voucher 5th 350cc: Roy Chapman
• Ragged Edge voucher 6th 350cc: Nick Williamson

CBG Contractors Masters (over-55s) results

• £75 1st placed Master: Nigel Palmer
• £50 2nd placed Master: Nick Williamson
• £30 3rd placed Master: Roy Chapman

Michael Grigson, Tony Perkin, Warren Beese and Roy Chapman © PK Photomedia

Awards throughout the field

• Tony Green Racing special achievement: George Thomas
• Avon Tyre draw: Mark Edge, David Lenton
• Steve Carthy Racing with Larsson draw: Chris Moore, Dan Walling
• Dennis Trollope Regina Race chain draw: Nick Williamson
• Teng Tools early entry rewards: x20 riders
• Gasket Guru Just missed it voucher: Nigel Palmer

Thank you…

The team at NG Road Racing organised a great meeting, arranged our paddock area and handled several cancellations with patience. Jez Newbury’s brilliant commentary during our races. The GP Originals gang of Michelle and Steve, Lorna, Carol, Abi and Louise who rallied the awning display, urn, raffles and massive task of organising the prizes and merchandise. Jemma’s maths all whilst helping John with three engine changes! Team Grigo Racing for packing up the awning. And, to reiterate the thanks to all those that helped others get out there racing.

Electricity donations

If you were on the electricity provided by NG and didn’t make a contribution please can you PayPal your donation and we’ll pass it on for Castle Combe as a GP Originals collective donation.

Round three at Castle Combe

The next round is looming and there are a very small number of places left. There are 44 spaces on the grid at Combe so it will be another spectacular event to be a part of. Please bear in mind that being a reserve rarely means you miss out, it’s well worth putting in your entry.

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