Post-classic, two-stroke racing No images? Click here Round two rollercoasterOulton Park is a track with blind crests, fast corners and undulating rollers. On a two-stroke GP bike it’s superb. Despite always only being a Saturday meeting due to local noise restrictions, this venue consistently draws large grids for GP Originals. Round Two was no exception with 38 entered. We lost a few through injury, covid and machine issues but 33 names completed qualifying. Getting it doneMost of us arrived on Friday and were swiftly set up, scrutineered and signed-on. Our usual paddock space, right next to the assembly area, allowed us to get prepared and out on track with minimal delay. Qualifying began in dry conditions, however it was chilly with a blustery wind which would keep lap times in check all day. Phil Atkinson took the 350cc £50 Motocarb pole position with a 1:53.705. 2nd on the grid and the other £50 250cc Motopole award was snapped up by Phil Stead at 1:54.302. The final front row slot was reserved for the day by Chris Moore at 1:55.282 The first two rows presented two 250s of Stead and Vines, plus one of our fast Masters, Nick Williamson. A good spread to demonstrate how the classes work competitively amongst the fastest of the 350s. Lights out for race oneThe Rose MOT Centre camp had work to do after qualifying. Captain Rose sacrificed his ride to swap a radiator onto Atkinson’s machine that ultimately became a major exchange of parts. Jason Burrill had secured a strong third row start in qualifying but later in the session crashed at Knickerbrook as his shock failed. Chris Rose delivered once again and lent Jason a new Maxton shock. The ever-helpful Lea Gourlay also gave Burrill a hand enabling him to roll up to grid spot nine. Kevin Rowbotham joined the last minute club with alterations needed to secure his unsettled footrest hangers. At lights out the spectators were rewarded with a sensory overload of sounds and smells as the impressive plume of two-stroke filled the air. Atkinson took the early lead and held it race long to take the AD Modular 350cc win. The 250L of Phil Stead crossed the line 3.609 behind, splitting the blue plates of Atkinson and Moore and getting his hands on the Maxton Suspension 250cc maximum points. Both leaders set the Redline Motorcycles fastest laps of the day in race one collecting another £50 each in the process. In the gusty wind, Atkinson’s 1:52.323 was a long way off his previous sub-1:50 lap record. Stead wasn’t far off the South African’s pace despite giving away 100cc, breaking the beam at 1:53.026 to set a new 250cc lap record. Gary Vines battled with his forks bottoming out and found that his chokes were partially on. Eventually the forks protested to the point of no return at Hizzy’s and down he went. Vines used his leg to preserve that superb Uggly & Co livery meaning it only suffered a minor scuff! Dan Jackson feels he has made considerable progress with his TZ and collected the final 350cc podium spot from Atkinson and Moore. After a poor start Jackson caught up and passed Moore on the last lap but Moore made best of the dash to the flag. Jamie O’Brien, George Thomas and Nick Williamson also took the flag in close succession as O’Brien experienced a misfire over the line. In the earlier laps Thomas and Vines had been enjoying some intimate racing. George affectionately left a tyre mark on Gary’s arm and fairing! The 250 action was close between Michael Grigson and Mark Linton as they chased the 350 of Grant Goodings. On the final lap Grigson caught a seizure and crashed out handing Linton 2nd 250 and a top 10 on-the-road result. Fresh from another Australian racing excursion Colin Sleigh took 3rd 250. Nick Williamson was first of our Masters, a comfortable gap from Ian Bain who was the next rider on-the-road. On his way to the over-55s victory Nick produced a new Masters lap record at 1:54.835. Grant Goodings followed across the stripe and 3rd of the CBG Contractors Masters. It was great to see CBG owner Rob Brew in attendance for this round and able to witness the action for himself. Derek Skinner made progress after some grid confusion, he chased down Mike McDonnell aboard Derek’s 250. However, he would have to wait for Race two for another go at passing his own machine! Kevin Rowbotham and Dean Mitchell both retired with issues that sadly didn’t get resolved in time for race two. Andrew Bailey and Neil Watson suffered DNFs but managed to get back on track later. Strapped in for another rideThe dry weather held and the sun made an appearance but the strong wind remained unpredictably gusty. We had 16 degrees and falling humidity now down to 43%. Calculations were being made! In between her own races, Manx Norton 350 rider Angela Cragg did a sterling job of getting us going with the assembly area rollers, ably assisted by Jason Holland. Thank you both for this help, all valuable input which keeps the DNS’ at bay. The opening laps were all action as Phil Stead immediately suffered a broken exhaust, Ian Bain gave himself and Tony Perkin a hot shower as his hose clip let go (remember, we all get half price at Roose Motorsport ☝️). Ewan Hamilton retired on lap two which was disappointing after a good first race for the Scottish rider. Both Mark Linton and Michael Grigson didn’t manage to get back out to resume their scrap. Atkinson banged in a couple of strong laps then settled down to take a comfortable win. Chris Moore held second spot and matched Phil’s times but not enough to bridge that early gap. Gary Vines ‘had a word with himself’ and with Steady out of the picture, he could smooth out his aggressive braking to ensure he took the 250 win and fourth on-the-road. Dan Jackson took the final 350 podium position taking advantage of Vines’ more relaxed final two laps. He crossed the line a mere 0.088 behind Moore and the 2nd fastest 350 lap of the day. George Thomas was once again getting stuck in with Nick Williamson and Jamie O’Brien. Williamson passed Thomas at the bottom of Clay Hill to take 5th overall and that all-important Masters win. Andrew Taylor and Roy Chapman deserve a special mention after the pair both suffered fire damage in separate Brands Hatch incidents. Their machines were both impeccably turned out in just a few weeks. Taylor finished race two 8th overall, Chapman 9th and 2nd of the Masters, he chased down Jason Burrill to make the pass in time for the final lap. Chapman’s usual
adversary, Grant Goodings retired on the 5th lap as his clutch bolts abandoned ship, leaving him with no drive. The Tony Green Racing special achievement award goes to Andrew Taylor, he really did pull out all the stops to be at Oulton with the most work to do of the damaged machines from Round One. Another victim of the Brands Hatch start line incident, Andy Glasgow, also managed to get his 350 repaired and back racing in time for Oulton, a broken toe added to his previously injured leg! Glasgow and Longstaff took on the 350/250 challenge together. Longstaff crossed the line in front of Glasgow and just 0.151 behind Team RAF rider Andy Green on his 350. Team mates McDonnell and Skinner followed suit plus new recruit Nigel Dearden who thoroughly enjoyed his first GP Originals event. Despite struggling with gear selector issues he reported back that he was “like a kid in a sweet shop”. Cash prizes and further rewardsOur excellent prize fund package for our main championships has been generously provided by: Maxton Suspension • AD Modular • CBG Contractors Each top three finisher across 250cc, 350cc and Masters receives a bottle of Crankshaft Brewery GP Originals Premix beer. Maxton Suspension 250cc results
AD Modular 350cc results
CBG Contractors Masters (over-55s) results
Awards throughout the field
White Diamond Detail Products supplied 20 early entry rewards worth over £77.50. A sincere thank youWe’d like to thank the Wirral 100 team for a very well run event with Garry Gardiner’s excellent commentary. Steve and Michelle as always with support from Abi Burman, Lorna Moore, Carol and Andy Glasgow to bring together the hospitality awning, raffle, prizes and looking after our sponsors who visited. Pinky & Perky double act Tony Perkin and Mark Linton who delivered their own brand of prize-giving entertainment. Angela Cragg and Jason Holland for assembly area assistance, Steve Pond for supplying the rollers. Jemma Hannaford for working out all the points and positions. Dave Cooper for machine advice and assistance. Alan Burman, Tony Perkin, George Thomas, Steve and Michelle Carthy, Ian and Neil Cowles for awning up/down services. Gerry Vines for collecting the trophies. Plus, everyone that mucked in to reserve the paddock area and help each other to get out on track – we have a superb group of people in the paddock willing to lend parts, offer skills and share knowledge. All graphic design, web design and illustrations by Spyre Limited ©spyre2021 |