Round two takes off at Cadwell

• Through the visor of Tony Perkin •

Ripley Land head-honcho, Ian Garbutt, was away watching rain fall on the Isle of Man last weekend. Meanwhile, his man Peter Bardell was basking in glory at the sweltering English Nürburgring, the fantastic Cadwell Park.

Matchless mounted Bardell started his dominance by taking pole in qualifying from Bonhams Champ Sam Clews ahead of Luke Bailey. Next up was the incredibly tight pack of WRR runners, headed by Isle of Wight resident Peter Carr. George Thomas, Seb Perez and Chris Bassett followed, all within 0.4 of each other. A special mention must be made of The Classic Motorcycle TCM class runner Fernando Mendes who qualified in 11th place and was experiencing his very first run out on the Gold Star.

Poor Robin Stokes pushed too hard up the mountain on the opening lap and slid off. This rendered his Norton unrepairable at the track with a bent fork tube.

Peter Bardell on the Ripley Land Matchless © Paul Denton

Fernando Mendes on the previously untested, newly built BSA Gold Star © Sticks and Pics

Race one gets underway

Tony Dunnell must be well pleased with his protégé George Thomas who catapulted his slight frame and Manx off the line to head the pack. Excited girlfriend Abi nearly wet herself cheering her man on, only for George to unfortunately slip off unhurt at the hairpin later in the race.

That man Bardell then took command, gliding his G50 through Cadwell’s sinuous humps, bumps, twists and turns whilst Team ACR’s Sam Clews turned on the style with his crossed up wheelies; a real crowd pleaser.

Luke Bailey was next up keeping Sam in sight but also busy defending his position from the National Motorcycle Museum sponsored WRR hoards headed by a very quick Peter Carr. Chris Bassett gave chase but was pipped by Carr at the line. Meanwhile, wily old fox Seb Perez, who is always on the pace, kept hard riding Andy Hornby in check. Richard Hann and Pete Weston gave me a riding lesson with safe fast racing.

The very ‘understated’ Fernando Mendes must be well chuffed with his bike’s performance. Having burnt the candle at both ends preparing his BSA Gold Star, he surprised many with his pace. He is a class act taking 11th at the flag and the TCM honours.

Despite not challenging for points, Angela Cragg let her Aermacchi do the talking ahead of the Nortons of Cliff Ransley and David Hebb in the Avon Tyres 350cc class.

ACR rider and defending Bonhams Champion Sam Clews © Paul Denton

Race two

Thomas again, rode like he stole it off the line. However, the more experienced Bonhams Championship riders soon overhauled him as they fluidly pieced together the Cadwell track puzzle. Each accurately hitting their apexes and torturing their Avon control tyres with every move and maximising their machines capabilities.

Bardell and Clews gapped the terrific WRR pairing of Carr and Bassett to the flag. Luke Bailey had his hands full with Thomas, Hornby and Perez snapping at his heals. Behind me, Richard Hann led Mike Farrall at the flag, ahead of Mendes by a wheel split by .02 of a second, breathless stuff lads.

Stuart Tonge put the mechanicals of Pembrey behind him to head Gordon Russell. This left Cliff Ransley to just edge out Cragg’s Aermacchi with Ken Perch in front of David Hebb.

Cliff Ransley on the Manx Norton © Sticks and Pics

Race three, the final episode

The temperature remained as hot as the action for the final outing. Team ACR’s Sam Clews gave it his all to try and usurp his Bonhams Championship crown challenger but was edged out by Bardell in their last encounter of the day. Blimey, didn’t he get close! Losing out by 0.28 seconds. Unbeknown to Clews he also suffered a 10 second penalty for jumping the start!

Behind the leading pair Bassett, Thomas and Carr had a right ding dong with ‘Tiger' Bassett taking the lion’s share of WRR points. Thomas enjoyed his best Lansdowne result to date and Peter Carr was well chuffed with his weekend’s work. The former powerbike pilot commented on how pleased he was to have repaid Geoff Leather’s faith in him for the loan of his bike. Well done lads, great show.

Andy Hornby muscled his way ahead of our pack just ahead of Richard Hann. I took a liking to riding on the grass and took up position behind Fernando Mendes for a masterclass in race craft – only to nip past him on the last lap on the back straight. Luke Bailey followed ahead of a battle royale involving Farrall, Russell and Tonge. Finishing in that order with only a gnat’s thing between them but endorsing the closeness and respect Lansdowne riders have for each other.

Roger Munsey also had his hands full, so to speak, with a rampaging Angela Cragg just a whisker between them at the line. Ken Perch and David Hebb rounded out a terrific weekend’s racing with NG Road Racing Club.

A massive thank you to the Orange Army of marshals, all the scrutineers, timekeepers, track staff and medics who take the time to look after us.

Thank you to all the riders’ sponsors, and especially Bonhams Auctioneers, The National Motorcycle Museum, Avon Tyres and The Classic Motorcycle Magazine.

Richard Hann from George Thomas © Paul Denton

Stan Woods inspired hospitality at Cadwell Park ©TeamRespro

©www.sport-pics.co.uk

2019 calendar

May 3–4 Pembrey • Chas Mortimer Trophy
June 1–2 Cadwell Park • Stan Woods Trophy
June 16 Mallory Park • Karl-Heinz Trophy
August 3–4 Donington Park • Charlie Williams Trophy
September 28–29 Snetterton 200 • Clive Ling Trophy