NG Racing, Completely Motorbikes round 2 came to Castle Combe with expectations high for the opening races in the King of Combe (held over 6 races) and it did not fail to disappoint.
The reigning King of 2022, Max Symonds returned to defend his crown on the J&C Symonds racing R1 Yamaha with Bob Collins, Jim Hind, Jamie Coward and a host of NG regulars all in the line up to challenge.
Phoenix open (King of Combe)
Race 1 saw Jamie Coward KTS Racing Honda Fireblade take an early from Symonds who quickly passed Coward by the end of the first lap and gradually opened a lead, but Coward as the laps increased was pulling Symonds back by a tenth or so but not enough laps to catch Symonds, 0.274 of a second at the line with Bob Collins 3rd some 15 seconds adrift, Hind and George Edwards DCM R6 Yamaha following up.
Race 2 was a flying start from Collins and Hind, with Symonds taking 2 laps to push up to the lead Coward in close company and playing the long game following in Max’s wheel tracks waiting for the right moment to overtake, then fate and a backmarker played their part and Coward was on the wrong end of this and lost contact with Symonds, who won by 0.735 seconds, Collins again 3rd
Race 3 with no Collins or Coward on the grid Symonds ran his own race and powered away to a 3rd victory but the main focus was the battle with Jim Hind suzuki 1000 and George Edwards R6 Yamaha the pair no more than half a bike length at most apart all race long with Edwards clocking a 1.10.665 lap almost a lap record for a 600!
With the second round of races set for July 29/30th Symonds has 3 wins and good chance of retaining his title.
IMS 600
RACE 1 was all about Edwards on the DCM R6 taking command of the race from the lights and consistently lapping 2 seconds quicker than everyone else opening up at the flag a 13 second margin over Ricky Elder R6 Yamaha and Dave Carson Kawasaki ZX6-R.
The 2nd race was shortened after red flag and was run over 4 laps a flat-out sprint, this time Elder pushed Edwards all the way but still could not find a way past the DCM machine Carson again bringing in 3rd
Normal service was restored in race 3 with Edwards in total command over Elder to win by over 11 seconds, Carson with 3rd yet again.
Powerbikes was the first race to shape the way of things to come with Symonds, Coward and Collins locked together Collins shot off with his now familiar holeshot with Symonds and Coward behind, Max delt with Collins quicker and pulled out a lead, coward a bit longer to pass Bob and could not get close enough to Max, 0.306 at the flag
Race 2 a no show from Coward left the door open for a runaway Max with Collins in chase but being hounded by Forrest Dun Suzuki 1000 who got past at half race distance and held on to 2nd by 0.123 for second place.
Race 3 saw Coward on the back of the grid Max on pole with Dunn and Collins who scorched off the line to an early lead only to be passed by Symonds in consecutive laps to lead, but eyes were on Coward who had cut through the pack to second by lap 4 and was gaining on Max but just ran out of time yet again.
Was not all second place for Coward though claiming 3 massive race wins in Supertwins with winning margins of almost 30 seconds each race.
Junior SuperSport was 3 hard fought wins for Elijha Everton with normal sparring partner on track Chace Collymore.
Dave Mackay found success in Sound of Thunder on the True Heroes Racing Ducati now in Supersport spec and saw the checkered flag 3 times over the weekend.
Words : Martin Bennett
Pics : Colin Hill :