Post-classic, two-stroke racing No images? Click here Keeping our cool at CadwellGP Originals returned to Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park last weekend for the penultimate round. It was another weekend full of drama and close racing. If you’re not entered for Donington please do so now, 23rd-24th July. As in previous years, there will be complimentary food laid on for Saturday evening. Your ongoing support is always appreciated and needed to ensure your fantastic Series continues to flourish. Be there! The unique GP Originals spiritBefore we had even begun racing, disaster struck. Dean Mitchell’s beautiful TZ burst into flames in the paddock. A painful lesson that fuel should always be drained with lines disconnected. Never attempt to empty the crankcases on the rollers with plugs out and leads live. Thankfully, due to impressively swift action by Ian Longstaff and new-GPO member, Jason Davis (a former firefighter), the burning bike and rider were extinguished quickly. There is a message on our Facebook page from Dean and Sue thanking all those who helped, their actions drastically minimised the damage to himself and the bike. Upon their return from A&E the bike and van were sorted and the fire damage cleaned up as much as possible. We all wish Dean a speedy recovery, he says he’s aiming to make it to Donington! We welcomed two new riders, Jason Davis and Nick Turner bringing out 350 and 250 machines respectively. Davis is not short of experience with 250cc British Championship and British Superbike under his belt. However he has not raced for 12 years! Turner is all new to two-strokes, with much to learn on the tricky 250L – he arrived with a loaned bottom end from Nigel Palmer following a gearbox failure only a week prior whilst testing. By Friday afternoon Jason Davis was disappointed to find the new engine had many issues and was ready to pack up and go home. He looked on in amazement as Michelle and Steve Carthy, Derek Welch and Darrell Higgins instantly took over to sort the bike out and get him out racing for the weekend. Jason Burrill demonstrated incredible generosity by loaning a complete engine. This paddock is second to none for camaraderie, expertise and sheer determination. QualifyingOur hosts NG Road Racing put on a Friday test day where many of us baked in the hot and sunny conditions. The weekend weather looked set for some high temperatures which could keep lap times in check. Temperatures soared well above 25°, air pressure at around 1,016 and 40-55% humidity – plugs were being checked and jetting adjusted accordingly to squeeze out the best from our two-strokes. Of the 32 entrants, 27 made the qualifying sheet. The 350cc £50 Motocarb Motopole went once again to Phil Atkinson at 1:39.727. Michael Grigson secured the 250cc £50 Motopole award at 1:44.765. The CBG Contractors Masters fastest qualifier was Nick Williamson at 1:41.331 already faster than the current Masters lap record. Chris Moore crashed out when a wheelie compromised braking into the hairpin. He went into the air fence ‘like a dart’! Chris was thankfully unhurt but work to be done to get back out. He had done enough to secure P4. Racing beginsNine rows of post-classic, two-strokes arrived on the grid with a blanket of blue smoke hovering overhead. Phil Atkinson was our pole sitter with Dan Jackson and Nick Williamson rounding out row one. Andrew Taylor had shown his potential in qualifying to secure a second row position. The AD Modular 350cc contenders took up the front of the race. Jackson and Atkinson were on similar first lap pace but the fastest initial timed lap was CBG Contractors Masters’ leader Nick Williamson, the only rider in the 1:44s this early on back in 6th spot. Atkinson took the win from a determined Jackson by just 1.159 at the line. Atkinson secured the £50 Redline Motorcycles fastest 350cc lap at 1:39.237. Chris Moore was forced to retire with a gear lever problem which was a result of the earlier spill. Andrew Taylor missed the start as they needed to change engines following a gearbox issue. His luck sadly deteriorated, crashing out in the ACU event when the water hose came off the pump. This brought an end to his weekend – he’ll be back at Donington with the bit between his teeth. Faster MastersWilliamson made great progress to finish 3rd overall and first Master home. Next of the over-55s was Roy Chapman, 5th on-the-road and then Steve Boam in 9th. Williamson and Chapman were split by Jason Davis who was delighted to finish his first GP Originals race in a very creditable 4th – in his own words he was “bricking it” before the start! With Championship leader Gary Vines absent, the Maxton Suspension 250cc field had some hefty points up for grabs. Mike Grigson didn’t need a second invite to score 25 for the 250cc win and 6th on-the-road. Mark Linton remembered to turn the fuel on this time and took 2nd 250 with Colin Sleigh rounding out the top three of the green plates. Front to back battlesThere were some great battles throughout the field. 250 riders Nick Massey, Warren Beese and John Hannaford were all on the same pace. Nick Turner was circulating a bit faster and chasing after experiencing his first TZ250 start. Derek Skinner reclaimed his 250L as regular rider Mike McDonnell couldn’t make the meeting. It was great to see Dave Cooper back, a man that’s been round Cadwell possibly more than anyone. Coops was enjoying getting back in the saddle and put in a great effort, determined to work on rebuilding his riding stamina in the heat. Turning up the heat on SundayThe temperature on Sunday morning had already reached 20° before 9am. With a warm-up done we were all keen to go racing. George Thomas just missed the gate closing on Saturday’s race as they rushed to repair holed pistons so he was keen to make amends. Thomas made a great start getting up to 5th but soon retired as his brakes were now presenting a new binding problem, very unusual as his bike typically never misses a beat. Jackson was head down for the opening lap straight into the 1:39s. As Cadwell is one of Dan’s favourite tracks he was sure he could break Atkinson this weekend. The Rose MOT Centre rider had other ideas, making sure Jackson couldn’t steal his crown; he headed the field to the flag. Jason Davis began to reveal some of his form and took 3rd of the AD Modular supported 350s, putting in a string of very consistent 1:42 second laps. Maxton 250s and CBG MastersMike Grigson secured his second 250 victory from Mark Linton who was pipped at the line by the 350 of Steve Boam by a tenth. Colin Sleigh came through just under a second behind Linton for 3rd 250. Mike took the £50 Redline Motorcycles fastest 250cc lap during the race with a 1:44.966. It was a Masters-class once again by Nick Williamson, setting a new Masters GP Originals lap record at 1:42.605 to take victory in the class and 4th overall. Roy Chapman took 2nd with Steve Boam picking up another 3rd. Siân Brooks found herself boxed in off the start but eventually made up four places back. Close exchanges were made with Danny Murphy and fellow 250L rider, Ian Longstaff. She pipped Andy Glasgow at the line by 0.22. Paul Whiting, Andy Green and Tony Perkin all pushed forward making places and improving lap times as Jason Burrill suffered with a long standing injury that was making hard work for the tall rider to fold himself up on his 350 BSR framed machine. A rejuvenated Derek Skinner reduced his lap time by over six seconds from the prior race. Warren Beese was also improving every time out and chuffed to see his lap times shrinking. Novice jacketed, former National motocrosser, Nick Massey continued making superb progress in his riding whilst struggling with a rattling set of exhaust pipes. Nick Turner began to really enjoy the TZ250L as he chased down the 350 of Mark Edge who was riding carefully after a tumble in Saturday’s warm-up session. The final outingEarly afternoon and the heat was really on as we assembled in the holding area, everyone trying to find a tiny piece of shade. With minimal delay we were forming the grid, sweating profusely but ready to go. Phil Atkinson made haste to secure as many points as possible in the AD Modular 350cc Championship title race. He gave sponsor Chris Rose another win to complete the full set. Jackson again second and Chris Moore back into a familiar podium spot to round out the top three of the 350 field. Atkinson left Cadwell with an 83 point lead over Jackson. With four points scoring races at Donington the Championship is not quite in the bag. Siân Brooks pushed ahead of Mark Linton in the opening lap as the pair found their 250s in hot pursuit of the 350s of Tony Perkin and Andy Green. Linton found himself touching cloth and grass at the chicane but eventually made the pass stick and set about making four more passes as he and Green made their way through. Brooks passed Perkin at Coppice and managed to hold the Maxton mounted yellow peril at bay to the flag. Mike Grigson made it a clean sweep as first 250 and 5th overall. Colin Sleigh had a great ride to take 2nd 250cc this time around with Mark Linton recovering to 3rd. Over 55s setting the paceBoth Nick Williamson and Roy Chapman raised some impressive wheelies over the Mountain. Nick taking his third Masters victory and another strong 2nd for Roy, Steve Boam was hot on his heels to grab 3rd Master – great to see Steve back out with GP Originals. Derek Skinner found he had no air in the front tyre as he rounded Park Corner and took a fall. Thankfully he was uninjured but now has some tidying up to do before handing back over to Mike McDonnell for Donington. Ewan Hamilton made another epic drive from Scotland in his lovely new motorhome and took 14th spot overall and 4th in the Masters competition. Andy Glasgow, Mark Edge, Danny Murphy and Ian Longstaff not far behind. The 250s of Nick Turner and Warren Beese both secured their third finishes of the weekend with considerable improvements made by both over the course of the event. 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
EBC Brakes provided free pads as their early entry reward for the 20 entrants who got in first. What an incredible effort from our team and ridersThank you to the NGRRC team for another superb meeting with a bumper two-stroke entry. Michelle and Steve Carthy delivered perfection in the hospitality awning and prizes whilst also diving straight in to get Jason Davis out on track – a huge effort put in there that was very much appreciated. Carol Glasgow teamed up again with Michelle and Alison Welch to organise the raffle and early entries. Lorna Moore and Heidi set up the awards table. Reg and Jean Squire worked really hard scrutineering all our bikes which saved us standing in the long, hot queue – they are certainly two well-loved members of the GPO gang! Chris Ingram took control of the assembly area rollers. Ian Longstaff and Jason Davis both acted immediately when Dean’s bike and himself caught alight, this action certainly saved considerable injury and damage. Darrell Higgins again worked tirelessly all weekend helping many but especially Jason Davis and Dean Mitchell. Our own Perkin and Linton combo put together another presentation to make us all smile as we collected our rewards. Derek Welch took over the assembly area notepad as Dave Cooper took to the track. Sterling effort from Jemma Hannaford who still managed to remotely tally the points despite recovering from her recent serious injuries. The list of people that helped riders is long for this meeting, an extra special mention to Jason Burrill for very generously loaning out his spare engine, plus his efforts with Dan Jackson to get Chris back out after his off. Steve Pond was helping Nick Turner and Nick Massey get to grips with their 250Ls whilst also keeping Sian’s two bikes running faultlessly. Andy Green provided excellent suspension help for several rider’s machines. Tony Green always on hand for exhaust advice and taking away our crash damaged silencers and pipes – there will be many more as so many seemed to be helping each other this weekend. Huge thank you to everyone that supports this Series with their time, entries, skills and general epic efforts. Superb photography provided by: DON’T DELAYOur final event at Donington is fast approaching, this is your last opportunity in 2022 to race your post-classic, two-stroke on a dedicated grid of our bikes. No four-strokes, no modern bikes, four long races, timed qualifying and warm-up. All for less money than other mixed post-classic races. Forget cut laps or long delays as we are hosted by the super-efficient Thundersport GB. All graphic design, web design and illustrations by Spyre Limited ©spyre2022 |