Mallory Race Report

Woken at 7:15am by the sound of gas flames whooshing into the billowing hot air balloon overhead as it’s pilot gains height to clear the Mallory medic centre, the sun already breaking through, strangely quiet, is it really race day? Car meetings are different, in a good way, very civilised if not a little difficult to get worked up to race. The mood goes up with the temperature as racing begins, a few Lansdowners caught out by the Manx engine cars that rumble into life early on for their race.

Sunny Sunday on the ‘proper’ circuit

Qualifying held few surprises with the promise of good close racing with the top fifteen within four seconds of each other.

Bit of a cock-up by the car marshalls saw the first race start with no warm-up lap, half the field blasting off, the others tootling off the line losing many places! Afterwards rider majority decided to leave the results as is, good or bad.

Double winner Mike Russell

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Faster than a kid nicking a custard crème from the biscuit box at the Lansdowne tent, Mike Russell who is also pretty quick at both biscuit snatching and piloting motorcycles, put his qualifying pole position to great effect comfortably taking two wins from cool dude Duncan Fitchett, who had equally super smooth rides to bag runner up in both. In the first race Mike Smith came to play for a one off ride on his Manx and given he has not ridden Lansdowne for years was on pace straight away,  it would have been interesting to see if he could bother Russell in the second if not being pulled off the grid with his rear brake cable dangling from his bike? We hope to see you again soon Mike.

Peter Carr on the 500cc Manx Norton

Action in every class

Peter Crew saw his run of WRR form that has him head the Championship, take an unfortunate dip as having sorted his Manx this season, to sadly have it’s piston try to escape the gudgeon pin with the resulting damage yet to be confirmed but hopefully not too severe is very unfair. Meanwhile Stuart Tonge has his Manx very nearly sorted to his liking, which as we know the more comfortable the fit the easier it is to go fast, with his lap times tumbling, and his mood lifting (just repeating what Gill said!!).

Mike Farrall had his broken body winched onto his beloved Rudge then proceeded to give a few of the later bikes a whupping, taking a class second place behind Sam Rhodes followed by a class win as Rodeo’s Velo cried enough under Rudge pressure? Gordon Russell was on form, loving the conditions and with 50 years racing experience knows how to make it look easy to get good lap times. Peter Carr rode a great race one finishing eighth overall and second WRR scooping a beer for his efforts.

Mike Farrall returns from injury

Reigning WRR champion Ian Bain made his first Lansdowne appearance this year and had pace straight off enjoying the Old Mallory circuit, a quality rider, as is Chris Bassett who is very quick and riding the crest of a wave currently getting serious points from every meeting having two wins again today, a real WRR championship contender. The 350 class had Nick Bedford take both class wins ahead of Cliff Ransley and Tony Raynor all Manx mounted. 

Nip and tuck

I was one of the unlucky starters but still really enjoyed the race with two of my regular combatants giving me grief, I will continue with a short part of our race:

Andy Hornby charged past both George Thomas and myself through the Esses coming from nowhere using his sheer size to block any repass, though that same advantage changed to a dis-advantage as it takes some hauling up at the hairpin! I really hammered the anchors to slip past at the hairpin and with George on the outside having his chance to nip through blocked we charge into Devil’s Elbow, short shifting into fourth gear to carry the speed onto Kirby Straight. A quick head turn has George right on my chuff and Andy looming close behind, head down, arms tucked in, chin on tank....relax, snick through the gears, looking for my braking marker to drop a couple of gears to enter Gerrard’s then hold a constant arc, opening the throttle all through the corner keeping the bike stable also making enough speed to have full throttle exiting the bend catching fifth just as I take the small undulation at the end of the longest corner on the calendar… fan-tas-tic!! The Avons overheated after about six laps and feeling like chewing gum? On the last lap in both races we were at it hammer and tongs to the flag as I just held the lead from George and Andy split by less than a second.

Just holding off George and Andy

I watched a few early Mallory videos prior to our meeting with the likes of Mike Hailwood, Roger Marshall etc giving it what for in their races especially Hailwood’s corner speed around Gerrard’s Bend on those old type tyres is astonishing so being given the chance to race the same circuit layout today was something special. Massive thanks to Sally and Gordon Russell for making this happen with Richard and Jean Adams for the background organisation. Special thanks to the Reynolds especially Andy multitasking scrutineering with start line duties. Also, Robin Stokes who is still recovering from his Donington crash but found time to make some right good cake for all. Last but not least thanks to the 360 Motor Racing Club and all of our sponsors.

Overall a success that we voted would all like to repeat, next race Pembrey, see you there.

Tony Perkin

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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 Historic Festival