Dicing for points at Donington 

It’s been a challenging year for the organisational team at GP Originals. Post-lockdown there has been a rush for racing that has seen all the host clubs jostling for circuits and juggling timetables. Bemsee’s loss became Thundersport’s gain as GP Originals joined their superb Duke of Donington meeting once again.   

Rise to the challenge

With just over a fortnight to deliver a healthy grid, we managed to pull it off. Although down on our usual bursting numbers, we achieved 25 paid entries, which remains an impressive gathering of rare, period two-stroke GP machinery. A heartfelt thanks goes to every rider who managed to change their plans and support the meeting. 22 made it out for qualifying and 22 lined-up on the grid to start the fourth and final 10 lap race on Sunday. No red flags and no crashes in our races throughout the weekend. Excellent effort by riders, teams and supporters.

Weather or not

The forecast was looking wet and potentially stormy on the run-up to the weekend. However, as with our previous Donington meeting this turned out to be a red-herring! Our spirits soared in line with the temperatures as we prepared for our 15 minute qualifying session.

Phil Stead was out to test out his recovery rate from his enormous high side at Castle Combe followed by six weeks of intensive oxygen chamber treatment. The left wrist and shoulder blade all healed nicely but the right wrist was proving troublesome. After completing five laps he managed to find his usually dormant ‘sensible button’ and conceded that he couldn’t ride.

Phil Atkinson took the Rose MOT Centre TZ through to another £50 Motocarb Motopole 350cc spot at 1:16.488. Gary Vines picked up the 250cc Motopole at 1:20.880. Ant Hart and an on-form Roy Chapman secured the remaining front row positions with 1:17.330 and 1:20.204 respectively. In spite of the pain, Steady was the 2nd fastest 250 at 1:21.406 followed by Michael Grigson at 1:22.666.

Phil Atkinson on his way to another Motopole © Colin Port.
George Thomas keeps Phil Stead and Jason Burrill at bay © PK Photomedia

On time for race one 

Just after midday we made our way down to the assembly area for race one. Thundersport runs to a very precise schedule and three contenders became pitlane starters as they just weren’t punctual enough! This was a fly-in-the-ointment for Gary Vines. With Nigel Palmer unable to attend and Phil Stead injured, the weekend was a golden opportunity to make up for his previous DNF woes.

Lights out and battle commenced across eight rows. Vines took no prisoners and was up to 12th by the end of lap one. Atkinson, Hart and English slotted into their podium positions to set the scene for the weekend amongst the 350cc Maxton Suspension supported runners. Atkinson threw down the gauntlet on lap two by putting in the Redline Motorcycles Fastest lap at 1:15.841.

GTR’s George Thomas demonstrated the strong form he has been enjoying in 2021 and held 4th throughout. The Masters were caught up in a close race between current Championship leader Williamson, Roy Chapman and 1986 Manx Senior winner, Grant Goodings. The trio finished in that order.

The AD Modular supported 250s developed into a dice between Vines, Grigson Jnr and Captain Caveman Mark Linton. Vines got his freshly liveried Uggly & Co. TZ in front of the 350 of Goodings who managed to split the pair of green-plated TZ250s by less than a second. Siân Brooks collected third when Linton retired on the penultimate lap.

Another 10 laps for race two 

With some improved timekeeping, we all assembled again to sweep round for another 20 miles of Donington Park in very warm, dry conditions.

Atkinson, Hart and English spelled out the podium once again. Hart moved up a gear with himself and Atkinson each topping out in the 1:16s. The most period machine on the podium, with Glen English at the controls, took another well-earned third. English clearly benefitting from Steve and Michelle Carthy’s support, but let’s not forget the legendary Uncle Jim.

George Thomas got himself into another strong 4th but on the fifth lap thought his clutch was coming loose! With no real problem surfacing, he then had to work his way back past Moore, Vines and Chapman to re-clinch 4th spot with less than a second to spare from Moore.

Vines was in control as the next 250s of Mark Linton and Mike Grigson were both chasing the bright yellow (and newly acquired) BSR TZ of Jason Burrill.

The CBG Contractors’ Masters had a real race on their hands between Williamson, Chapman and Goodings. Gary Vines joined the party, exchanging close moves with Williamson. The over-55s Championship leader overshot the chicane as he went wheel-to-wheel with Vines, dropping back to find himself in a race to the flag with Siân Brooks and Mark Edge. Chapman took the honours following in Vines’ wheel tracks by just 0.167. Goodings was also in the slipstream just 0.579 from the Chapayama TZ.

Mike McDonnell delivered a finish for new owner Derek Skinner who was anxiously watching the action. RAF liveried Andy Green bedded-in his newly-built 350 and also notched up a finish. Dave Grigson struggled to the line with a swollen knee chasing John Hannaford who was back out on the 350. It was good to see Danny Murphy back at GP Originals after an injury caused him to miss our first Donington round. Perkin, Eardley and Hamilton all retired mid-race, safe but with mechanical issues to get sorted.

Vines, Moore and Chapman © PK Photomedia

Day Two, lots of track time ahead

With morning warm-up ticked off the list it was time for another hot 10 lap race. Thundersport’s Megalaps system takes the best lap from the entire day on Saturday to formulate the grid. Mike Grigson’s 1:19.472 made him one of the strongest movers pushing his grid spot up six places to P6.

Glen English now had a front row start but the 350cc podium settings refused to recalibrate. Atkinson from Hart, from English once again. Thomas took 4th spot but enjoyed some close combat with Vines who was en route to the 250 top step and claiming his £50 Redline Motorcycles fastest 250cc lap at 1:18.790. It is alleged that expectant father Thomas brushed Gary’s knee on the entry to Macleans.

Roy Chapman headed up the Masters again, this time with a little more breathing space from Goodings. Grant had a bright orange 250 to deal with in the shape of Mike Grigson just 0.152 in his wake, the pair were closely followed by Jason Burrill. Nick Williamson was having a tricky weekend and had to settle for 3rd Masters slot.

The final 250 podium place was up for grabs in the closing laps as Siân Brooks passed Mark Edge at Hollywood and gave chase to her bike’s owner, Mark Linton. Brooks and Linton made several exchanges to finally arrive at the line with just 0.003 between them in favour of Brooks.

Rounding out 40 race miles

Every race so far had proceeded with prompt efficiency and delivered the full complement of 10 laps each. The final race of our Round Four weekend was no exception.

The 350 race ended with the same result, but this time, Ant Hart took his turn to head the field. Atkinson had to pull out all the stops to pip Hart to the line by just 0.154. Glen English took a full suite of third places with fourth going the way of Chris Moore.

Gary Vines came through 5th on-the-road to claim a clean sweep of 250 wins – promoting him to the top of the Championship table. Likewise, Mike Grigson secured another 2nd spot which also elevated his position to 14 points behind Vines and three ahead of Palmer going into the final round. Mark Linton claimed the final 250 podium position of the weekend.

The final Master’s race confirmed the meeting as Chapman’s best performance yet with another first place in the competitive over-55s class. More close racing was thoroughly enjoyed with Grant Goodings who had also found form and reliability this weekend. Jason Burrill split the Masters’ podium as Nick Williamson struggled with gearing after swapping engines.

Razzmatazz and camaraderie

We were delighted to be able to welcome visitors for the first time since Covid and also hold our prize giving. Angela and Haydn from Crankshaft Brewery came along and awarded their superb GP Originals Premix beer to our worthy podium finishers. Thundersport GB delivered their lively podium celebrations after every race in front of all the riders in parc ferme – complete with a thoroughly appropriate period soundtrack. 

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: Gary Vines
• £50 Redline Motorcycles 250cc fastest lap (1:18.790): Gary Vines
• £200 1st 250cc: Gary Vines
• £150 2nd 250cc: Mike Grigson
• £100 3rd 250cc: Siân Brooks
• £75 4th 250cc: Mark Linton
• £50 5th 250cc: Dave Grigson
• NGK Spark Plugs voucher 5th 250cc: Mike McDonnell

Maxton Suspension 350cc results

• £50 Motocarb Motopole 350cc: Phil Atkinson
• £50 Redline Motorcycles 350cc fastest lap (1:15.841): Phil Atkinson
• £200 1st 350cc: Phil Atkinson
• £150 2nd 350cc: Ant Hart
• £100 3rd 350cc: Glen English
• £75 4th 350cc: George Thomas
• £50 5th 350cc: Roy Chapman
• NGK Spark Plugs voucher 5th 350cc: Grant Goodings
• Ragged Edge voucher 6th 350cc: Chris Moore

CBG Contractors Masters (over-55s) results

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

Awards throughout the field

• Tony Green Racing special achievement: Roy Chapman
• Avon Tyre draw: Danny Murphy, Nick Williamson
• Steve Carthy Racing with Larsson draw: Siân Brooks, Jason Burrill
• Dennis Trollope Regina Race chain draw: Jason Burrill
• White Diamond early entry rewards: x20 riders
• Gasket Guru Just missed it voucher: Nick Williamson

Thank you to the GP Originals collective

Thank you to the ever-efficient team at Thundersport GB. Reg and Jean who swiftly processed our scrutineering. Paul Korkus and Colin Port for the photographs, Steve and Michelle for organising the tea urn, prizes and raffles. Help with various tasks from Abi Burman, Colleen Burrill, Carol Glasgow, Gerry Vines, Steve Pond, Darrell Higgins and Ian Cowles.

First image: John Hannaford and Dorian Eardley
Second image: George Thomas and Ant Hart © Colin Port

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