Pembrey Race Report

Making the most of the continued tropical weather we head to Pembrey circuit for another round of the Lansdowne Classic Race series sponsored by Bonhams, Avon Tyres, The Classic Motorcycle Magazine and National Motorcycle Museum.

“Where are all these folk going?” is asked for the umpteenth time as over four hours of our life is taken from us by the Friday traffic. Then the mood lifts as we spot our racing family in the paddock. Richard Adams, sporting de-rigour Lansdowner long shorts and lily white legs, directs us in with his version of semaphore. The pitch is coned off and our weekend home is set, the wonderful evening temperature encourages banter and one or two snifters.

On track

Saturday at 7:30 and I don my ‘boil-in-the-bag’ black leathers then push the Manx to scrutineering. The heat is already oppressive but it’s all good and we prep the bikes for qualifying.

The track was in fairly good nick with a few new patches of tarmac sporting very dubious white lines – obviously painted after last orders at the local! Mike Russell carved a 1:06.396 lap on Richard Adams’ Manx to take pole from young ACR charger Sam Clews with Mike Smith third. Pete Crew lead the WRR class from Chris Bassett and Andy Hornby.

Pembrey Circuit, Carmarthenshire

Red hot racing

Russell and Clewsy had all three races covered and swapped paint at every encounter. Clewsy just pipped Russell in the third by the proverbial gnat’s knacker (0.1 of a second)! Mike Smith joined us for yet another round to deliver a superb treble third place set of results and obviously enjoys stuffing his Smiffs Garage Manx up the sharp end of the field. Top WRR honours were divided between Series’ leader Pete Crew and Chris Bassett, both having a purple patch at the moment with Crew taking the first race and Bassett the second. More impressively Chris took the third, also scooping fourth overall. Great racing boys, all very close but safe.

Andy Hornby, George Thomas and myself had our usual little battle, each taking advantage of the others minute mistakes. I found myself chuckling away in my helmet when any hard earned position was given away in the blink of an eye. I recall the one lap approaching the hairpin hauling on the anchors for all they are worth, I showed Andy a wheel but still having time to admire this big guy standing the bike on it’s nose and thinking “this will be an interesting apex”. Then, bugger me, he slammed the bike down and made it through, exiting the corner using every inch of the track in true Hornby style. A whiff of grass and dust ejecting from the back wheel like some speeding bike picture in the Beano! Meanwhile, George is getting feisty. Dipping and diving, the wheel straightening Maidstone lad is pushing on so much of late, though exiting the hairpin in second gear gives us old-timers a gap to fill, thank you Mate. George’s start in the last race was a corker, from eighth to second just shows how lightning reactions and weighing next to nothing helps propel a 60 bhp lump off the line. Just behind our little group Stuart Tonge was never far away, the wily old fox is always looking for the slightest weakness in his prey.

The effervescent Derek Bunning on his lovely Lynx Garage Matchless G50 is a real stalwart of the Lansdowne Series. He still knows how to twist the throttle and kept Mike Farrall honest as Mike fights back from his broken pelvis, testing his pain barrier to keep just ahead in all three races.

Finding the limit

A quick mention of Tony Dunnell’s other rider, Clive Ling, who after problems in qualifying started at the back of the field on his 350 Manx riding in the Bonhams class. After giving his all he was finally pushed over the limit in the last race, sending the machine cartwheeling down the track and reducing it to nearly it’s component parts. Luckily Clive was OK but Tony will have his work cut out.

The Saturday evening had the BBQs lit and a fabulous Côte-de-Sur evening ensued. Through the smoke from the various delicacies the banter was as raw as some of the chicken kebabs! One of the less intelligent riders caused unrest amongst the ladies – I only mentioned washing up and cleaning and the ‘Bird’s’ can do it! Jean Adams led a chorus of wine fuelled beautiful ladies to point out the error of my ways? As penance the riders are to make cakes of their own design for the Donington meeting with the best effort winning a race tyre from Jean. So all’s well that ends well I’d say. 

Thanks to the NG Road Racing club, Marshalls and Medical staff for a cracking meeting.

Tony Perkin

© Roger Barrett

2018 calendar

April 6–8 Silverstone International
May 12–13 Donington Park
May 19–20 Snetterton 300
June 10 Mallory Park
July 7–8 Pembrey
August 3, 4 & 5 Donington Park
October 6–7 Cadwell Park
October 19–21 Portimão Classic Festival