Rounding out 2021

Through the visor of Tony Perkin

What a great circuit Croft looked. A former World War II Bomber Command airfield which was home to the likes of Halifax, Wellington, Lancaster and now our very own ‘Dive Bomb’ Andy Hornby.

Weather for Saturday set baby-like, wet and windy. This drew a fairly low turn-out for qualifying as a cold, dry, yet dampening track surface welcomed the apprehensive Lansdowne pilots.

Andy Hornby threw caution to the wind and laid down some hot laps straight from the go to nail pole before rain set in. Very canny. George Thomas was on a mission this weekend, being the ultimate round and still in with a chance of snatching the Clubman’s Championship crown from myself as I hugged a small points cushion.

George’s purple patch continued as he stuck his Tony Dunnell Manx P2 on the grid, with Matt Hebb completing the front row. Of note, Mike Russell gave Richard Adam’s Velo an outing and pushed the Avons to head several of the quicker machines… including his Pop’s Manx next on the grid. Classy John Cragg danced his 350 to P10 ahead of gentleman Nick Bedford, who enjoyed the comfort of his Manx after his usual banshee 2-stroke TZ350 time-bomb ride.

Race one

It is wet and cold as the Union Jack drops to the glorious sound of 1950s–60s race engineering design at its best. Hornby engaged warp speed off the line, heading the madness of a wet surface corner on cold tyres with the pack bearing down. Somehow we all stay green side up as Bomber H held the lead and I push my luck around Hawthorn bend, I take the outside of Thomas and slot into second.

The surface gave good adhesion despite a few of the corners showing ominous blue fuel stains peppering the exits and tempting the throttle hand into slow motion. Bomber, Thomas and me enjoyed testing the strength of our underpants. We passed and re-passing all race long until Bomber did just that on Thomas on the last lap at ‘Sunny out’. We all crossed the line within a second of each other.

David Tetley also pushed the pace, fourth on track and second GP class rider despite still feeling a bit twitchy after making a demolition job of his Manx at Goodwood. The quality rider put in a solid ride, avoiding any argy bargy with our little battle up front. Matt Hebb continued his run of form, consistently knocking out quicker laps to bag fifth overall and third Clubman. Hebb finished ahead of Goldie-mounted Stevan Radakovic who was the first Pre-55 home, a spit ahead of Mike Russell’s Velo. Jimmy May took third Pre-55 on his gorgeous long-stroke Manx.

Luckless Ian Bain suffered a broken carb slide spring which stuck the throttle wide open! Not recommended on a wet track but really funny for the riders behind watching this madman hitting some right weird lines.

The Avon 350cc Championship saw John Cragg at his best taking  maximum points. He complained that the reason his glasses were moving about was, not because his nose was not big enough, just it was in the wrong place. A sticky plaster sorted the problem. Second in class was big Jack Hebb with another great ride.

Race two

A bracing Sunday morning greeted the pilots. The wet track and  strong wind did nothing to quench the anticipation to race. GP runners Hornby and Tetley escaped at the front and biffed each other up for the whole race. The pair equalled each other’s pace, finishing point three of a second apart at the flag, Hornby taking his second win of the weekend.

I stuck to the back of Thomas all race, thinking of the Championship and playing the thinking game. Well… up until the last lap where the red mist crept in and I took advantage of a feet-off-the-footrest jig by Thomas out of the chicane. I made the pass only to have him re-take me into the complex. I out braked him into the final hairpin but he managed to pip me over the line, keeping his hopes alive of taking the Clubman’s Championship – great racing mate.

Matt Hebb again took third Clubman from Robin Stokes from GP runner Ian Bain who could not find his usual pace. Mike Farrall discovered that his favoured Rudge was out of sparks. He put his Manx to good use, holding off the close attention of Nick Bedford and Richard Dawson to the line. The delightful Angela Cragg beasted her Domi Racer to more solid points. Angela’s Dad John, again enjoyed spanking his 350 as he tagged onto the back of the Farrall pack in whiff distance of Richard Dawson’s Brut 33.

Jack Hebb gorged on more 350 second place points whilst Jimmy May enjoyed absolutely thrashing David Linsdell on his Royal Enfield by point zero, zero one of a second in the Pre-55 class.

Race 3

Last race of the year, the track was now dry and David Tetley was on it. Croft is his home circuit and it deserved nowt but a Northern win and that’s what he provided in fine style. Leading from start to finish and so taking the Lansdowne British Championship. This left Hornby and Thomas to knock spots off each other to take a second in class for Hornby. Thomas took a superb Clubman’s race win completing three out of three top step podiums, he could do no more. All that remained was for me to falter in order for Thomas to take the Championship.

Drama to the last as I had my own battle with Ian Bain. On the last lap, just as I sneaked past Bainy, the nose fairing bracket snapped on my Manx. This allowed the attached rev counter and fairing to drop down. Unsure if I should pull the whole lot off, I decided that holding it in place by the rev counter was the better option. I completed the final lap mostly one-handed and fearing a black flag, zero points and a lost Championship. Luckily, it fooled the Orange army enough to take second Clubman’s spot and seal the Championship win. This left me feeling ‘well chuffed’, with nothing but respect for George Thomas and the fight he put up right to the end, making the title all the sweeter.

Just behind Bain was Matt Hebb, once again showing he will be one of the favourites next year with another consistent ride. Meanwhile, his old man Jack, decided he would like the 2021 silverware bagging the 350 championship overall. John Cragg once again showed incredible pace on his 350 to round out a superb hat-trick of wins this round.

Mike Russell knocked out an excellent seven laps on the Velo, providing his usual Manx steed with a well-earned rest. “it’s the best it has run” he commented on the Velocette’s performance. Russell took the final Pre-55 class win ahead of Jimmy May and David Linsdell. Jimmy collected the Pre-55 Championship honours.

Thank you to…

The CRMC for hosting the event, the marshals, Pete at PJ Motorsport Photography, and the Lansdowne team for another great meeting.

What will be known as the Covid season will be brought to a close at the Annual dinner and awards night. It is always a great night and this year’s guest speaker joining the fun will be Steve Plater.

Buy photos online by PJ Motorsport Photography