GP Originals 2019
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Rich Grinling demonstrating his 30 years of racing experience © Colin Port images
Down to the wire at Donington
GP Originals completed its second race season at Donington Park on the 27th–28th July 2019. The four UK rounds were equally split – two in glorious sunshine contrasted with two exceptionally wet and wild.
Expertly run by Thundersport GB, our four races ran like clockwork despite the challenging conditions. With all our riders on Avon Tyres some of our fastest lap times were an impressive comparison to the modern machines using full wets.
Rose MOT Centre’s Phil Atkinson secured the 350 crown at the previous round © Colin Port images
Qualifying, calm before the storm
Timed qualifying began under moody skies on a drying track. Damp patches clung to every apex but it was to be the best conditions of the weekend. Phil Atkinson had already secured the 350 Championship and anticipated a relaxing weekend. This is never the case! The South African retired on the opening lap depositing him straight to the back of the 11 row grid of period spec 250s and 350s.
Ant Hart, Daniel Jackson and Chris Moore matched each other’s pace within a few tenths. 1:20.396 secured pole for Hart. The 250 field had an excellent list of entries with Colin Sleigh quickest at 1:21.016, Nigel Palmer and Rich Grinling next up. Championship leader Gary Vines continued his untimely battle with Lady Luck. With the generous loan of a machine by Mark Quelch of Xclusiv Group plus a mass of accumulated engine parts provided by Ian Cowles; Vines managed one lap of qualifying and embarked on a challenging weekend.
Into the final round and the Masters Championship was alive and well. Leader Mark Edge put in another impressive performance to grab 5th overall and first of the over-55s. With Mark Henrys absent due to work commitments Tony Perkin, Dave Grigson and Roy Chapman were all in with a shout.
Mark Edge gives his TZ a work out on the slippery tarmac © Colin Port images
Racing in the rain
The weather had truly set in by midday for our opening race. Atkinson shot through the pack to be sure of getting in the wheel tracks of Hart and Jackson. The Steve Carthy Motorcycles supported TZ of Glen English made his usual getaway taking the early lead and pulling a second on Hart. However, too much too soon brought English down unhurt at Craner Curves.
Jackson was hot on the heels of Hart, Atkinson drawing in closer. Hart put in the fastest lap by a full second but two excursions in to the gravel cost him the victory. Atkinson took the win by a whisker from Jackson with Hart settling for 3rd. An excellent ride from Sam Rhodes to 4th for Rustic Racing.
Tony Perkin remembered where he’d left his aqualung and returned to his usual wet-weather form taking the Masters and 6th on-the-road from French rider Jean-Paul Lecointe and Nigel Palmer.
The weekend’s drama began to unfold for 250 riders Grinling and Vines. Vines once again suffered problems and failed to finish allowing Grinling to grab another 25 points. Colin Sleigh took 2nd and Mark Linton, 3rd. Great to see John Hannaford really getting back on form this weekend and enjoying the 250.
Rhodes and Perkin rekindle their Lansdowne acquaintance © Colin Port images
More rain, more drama
Race two had slightly lighter rain but the circuit was still exceptionally wet and slippery. This time Ant Hart took flight opening up an enormous lead, he kept to the tarmac and took the flag an incredible 44.261 seconds clear of Atkinson. Jackson took a tumble on lap two leaving Moore to secure 3rd.
Rich Grinling was now visibly inspired by that Championship carrot and took 4th on-the-road and first 250. Gary Vines suffered yet another DNF on lap one. Nigel Palmer and Mark Linton 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Geartech’s Tony Perkin and Jean-Paul Lecointe enjoyed an Anglo-French Masters battle to the line, split by just 0.029 to Perkin. This left Mark Edge to collect 3rd.
Incredible complimentary spread of hot drinks, handmade cakes, sandwiches, dips, salads, fruit, wines and barbecue provided by generous riders, sponsors and supporters © Spyre Limited
Kids were kept entertained by Teng Tools colouring competition © Spyre Limited
The day of reckoning
A night of relentless rain meant standing water everywhere and temperatures were cooler than the previous day. With fewer riders on the grid Phil Atkinson had an easier time of catching Ant Hart early on. The pair rode 10 laps wheel to wheel with Atkinson waiting for the right moment to pass and take the win. Neil Watson had endured a night in the garage at home and was pleased to be back at it, taking 3rd 350.
Vines’ Championship lead was now slashed to just five points ahead of Grinling – all eyes were on these two green plated machines. Despite putting in the fastest lap in the driving rain at 1:38.829, Vines couldn’t match the overall pace of Grinling who rode to 3rd on-the-road with Vines just 0.452 behind. Mark Linton picked up another 3rd 250 spot and was really enjoying his return to racing, even in the rain.
Mark Edge took the Masters to claw back five essential points on Perkin in 2nd, securing the Championship with one race remaining. Palmer came through as 3rd Master, 12th on-the-road.
The final 250 decider
The final race delivered a similar 350 plot with Atkinson hooking onto the rear wheel of Hart and taking the win by 0.250. The slightly improved track conditions gave Atkinson the best of the wet weather lap times at 1:31.54. JL Exhausts rider Chris Moore came through in 3rd to secure 2nd in the Championship once again.
Rich Grinling was really loving the wet on the Fernando Mendes supplied, 2018 Championship winning, TZ250. The smaller capacity contest had come down to the final outing. Grinling rode a fast and faultless race, passing Moore on lap three to 3rd overall and first of the 250s. Gary Vines rode as hard as he could on the borrowed machine that had become rather a ‘bitsa’ over the weekend. The former Manx GP Newcomer winner had to settle for 2nd in the race and the Championship. The perseverance of Gary and his team, with the aid of other 250 riders, earned them the Tony Green special achievement voucher for a set of handmade silencers.
GP Originals fosters excellent sportsmanship and it was great to see Vines and Grinling congratulate each other in Parc ferme. Mark Linton collected a sweep of 3rd place finishes and is looking forward to a full season at GP Originals in 2020.
Mark Edge took the premier Masters position ahead of Dave Grigson and Tony Perkin who had to make a stop in pitlane for radiator tape adjustments. Last year’s Masters Champ Perkin rounded out the season 2nd in the Championship with Grigson a creditable 3rd – himself and Atkinson were the only riders to score in every race.
The end of a fantastic season
There are far too many people to thank individually for their hard work and generosity this weekend. The hospitality area proved that with help from so many, great things can be acheived. Sponsors, riders and supporters from nearly every camp chipped in bringing food, drinks, cutlery, tents and catering accessories. In a military like operation it was all packed away in moments – thank you to all who stayed to lend a hand and contributed to the fantastic finale to an epic GP Originals season.
We all wish Steve Carthy a swift recovery, he suffered severe appendicitis on Saturday night and is now recovering in hospital from the operation. Get well soon Steve!
Please visit the link below to find out about the presentation evening that will be held on 19th October.
Cash prizes and further rewards
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
Each top three finisher also receives a bottle of Titanic Brewery beer.
250cc results
- £200 1st 250cc: Rich Grinling
- £150 2nd 250cc: Mark Linton
- £100 3rd 250cc: Dave Grigson
- £75 4th 250cc: Nigel Palmer
- £50 5th 250cc: John Hannaford
- £50 fastest 250cc lap: Rich Grinling (1:35.270)
350cc results
- £200 1st 350cc: Phil Atkinson
- £150 2nd 350cc: Ant Hart
- £100 3rd 350cc: Chris Moore
- £75 4th 350cc: Tony Perkin
- £50 5th 350cc: Mark Edge
- £50 fastest 350cc lap: Phil Atkinson (1:31.854)
Masters (over-55s) results
- £50 1st placed Master: Tony Perkin
- £30 2nd placed Master: Mark Edge
- £20 3rd placed Master: Dave Grigson
- Gasket Guru voucher 4th: John Hannaford
Next highest finishers
- NGK Spark Plugs voucher: Nigel Palmer
- NGK Spark Plugs voucher: Jean-Paul Lecointe
- Ragged Edge Racing voucher: Gary Vines
- Ragged Edge Racing voucher: Graham Higlett
Awards throughout the field
- Tony Green Racing special achievement: Gary Vines
- Avon Tyre draw: Dan Jackson, Ken Hill
- Steve Carthy Racing with Larsson draw: Colin Sleigh, Gary Vines
- Titanic Gin gift bag: Lorna Moore and Bernadette Stewart
- Teng Tools early entry rewards: x20 riders
The big event – Teng Tools colouring competition
Look out on our social media channels for more details on the Teng Tools colouring competition for the under 12s. Glen English did try to sneak an entry in but was thwarted by the vigilant judges.
Abel Houghton and Seamus Gilligan, Emily, Daniel, Grace Bedford and George English all produced superb artwork and were rewarded with wicked Teng Tools prizes. A podium ceremony for the winners was kindly presented by Toni and her team at Thundersport GB.
GP Originals is supported by:
Graphic design by Spyre Limited
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