After a bit of a summer break following the 2-day double header back in July, the PDMCC riders and officials were eager to resume this year’s championship at Three Sisters albeit in fairly mixed weather conditions. As race day drew nearer, the weather forecast looked less promising as reports of dark clouds and heavy persistent showers were given, and it was clear that the scorching hot weather we had at most of this year’s rounds was now a distant memory. That said, those who entered the meeting remained unfazed by the prospect of a downpour, instead turning their attention to the importance of grabbing as many points as possible as the season rapidly draws to its conclusion. The clouds behaved and a great day was had, with exciting racing on offer throughout the day within the various classes.
Bikepics.smugmug.com Newcomers
First to the grid this time out was the Newcomers class in which entry is restricted to new licence holders and those in their first season of competition. The race is always exciting and sometimes eventful, and a full grid of competitors ensured it was just that.
Leading the way as the lights went out was local 600cc rider Ryan Garside (191) as he returned to racing following a few year’s break. Although the Honda steelie racer got of the line well, serious championship contenders Ben Charnock (86) and Barry Dimelow (158) soon got to work and resumed battle as in previous rounds. As a fiercely fast pair of frontrunners got going, a stricken machine on the Pentith Climb caused a race stop and the red flags were brought out so that the bike could be moved. A re-run was immediately called, and Garside led away initially but was soon swallowed up by Charnock and Dimelow as the rookie campaign continued. A little further back, Chris Dickinson (133) chased down Garside and charged ahead, momentarily gaining advantage over Garside, but had to settle for 4
th as Garside pushed even harder and brought the steelie home in 3
rd in a fantastic effort behind Dimelow and Charnock respectively.
Newcomers race 2 (for points) looked to be even more nailbiting as the dark clouds hovered above, and with a very slight shower wetting the tarmac to add to the excitement. Yet again – and to be expected – Charnock and Dimelow charged away in what was a very good start for both riders, however a very slippy hairpin put a premature end to both of their points campaigns as the pair went down. A very quick effort from Ruthin rider David Lewis (691) allowed him to immediately take advantage and he got a literally flying lead, but Chris Dickinson (133) was prepared for a challenge. Dickinson proved that he was the man to beat, celebrating as he emerged victorious after taking the chequered flag. Philip Holmes (141) also had a fantastic race, with the NC30 on the limiter as he propelled it along Rodgerson’s Straight, and he managed to get the smaller 400 around Lewis’s 600 CBR claiming a well-deserved 2
nd at the line.
SK Art Forgotten Era and Single Cylinder
Although the numbers on the split grid were quite a lot less than anticipated, there were nevertheless some good battles in both races, and some beautiful machinery in the Forgotten Era class always makes this a race worth watching.
Ian Draper (186) has proved his success in this class over the season with his consistency, and the beautiful Yamaha TZ is a competitive machine within the Forgotten Era group. Both Draper and Kerry Burton (8 – aboard the Honda VFR) enjoyed some good battles as they mingled within the FE class, and the pair nose to tail as the laps progressed. Although the main action of the points race was between Draper and Burton – the pair finishing 4
th and 5
th respectively - steaming ahead in the lead was Philip Holmes (141) again putting in a sensational performance on the NC30 and winning with apparent ease. Mark Podmore (91) had a great race, crossing the line in a solid 3
rd place and with a tremendous lead over 4
th place finisher Ian Draper (186).
A new entry in the form of David Weight (176) aboard the stunning Ducati Pantah opened a few eyes as the rare machine roared its way around the circuit, coming home in 6
th just ahead of David Edwards (92) and the CBR 250.
The Single Cylinder class win went to Scott Dootson (38) who led the entire grid around, flying lap by lap aboard the Honda GP125, and Scunthorpe’s Kieran Smith (96) was expected to take a piece of silverware but unfortunately suffered a mechanical in the early laps.
The points race also brought about another impressive performance from Philip Holmes (141) and he managed to gain a big lead similar to race 1. Tim Pinnell (1) was looking to challenge for the top spot early on in the proceedings and certainly appeared brave as he entered the hairpin very late on the brakes, but Holmes’s straight line speed carried him to yet another victory ahead of the Hull rider. Mark Podmore (91) put in another consistent performance which ended in another 3
rd place which surely strengthens his points campaign ahead of the final rounds, and Scott Dootson (38) again claimed victory in the Single Cylinder class as the winning Honda crossed the line.
Jules Embroidery 501-1300cc Open
A late entry from North East rider Dominic Herbertson put a bit of an unexpected twist on the proceedings of the open class as the lights went out for the trophy race. This time aboard the SV650, he certainly showed that he was not messing about and was a force to be reckoned with when it came down to business.
As the race began, Herbertson – who has recently returned from a very successful Manx campaign - got the twin machine singing but not without an immediate challenge from fellow road racer Rob Barber (24) and former Superstock 600 competitor Jamie Devine (20) who was right behind. Liam Weston (77) put himself in a decent position to challenge the top spots, and Richard Whitton (321) was also in on the action aboard the SRAD. As the last lap flag was displayed, Herbertson almost had the win, but a hair-raising moment entering Lunar almost saw him lose the front of the SV which allowed Devine to snatch victory. Barber also got the better of Herbertson as they entered the hairpin for the final time, and sneaked into 2
nd place in the closing stages of a brilliant race.
The points race brought about a bit of a disappointing turnout of riders to the grid as only 9 machines showed up, but nonetheless a good race was to be had. Rob Barber (24) had an excellent start and led away from lights out, but a ready and waiting Jamie Devine (20) was ready to pounce and that he did, sneaking up the inside of Bullet Barber at the hairpin and then pulling away to eventually claim victory. Barber retaliated by chasing hard, but the win belonged to Devine although a fantastic performance from both riders ensured that the win was not an easy one. Meanwhile Liam Weston (77) gave Dominic Herbertson (138) a hard time throughout the race, but Herbertson had engine braking on his side and managed to pull away. A little further back, Chris Dickinson (133) and Barry Dimelow (158) had another very close battle, with Dimelow leaning right off the bike on the tighter corners and focusing hard on his lines. Dickinson was within reach of Dimelow on a number of occasions, but a badly worn tyre forced him to retire at Lunar partway through the race.
4Tech Moto Formula 600
As the start lights were extinguished and all eyes were on this very popular grid, Longton’s Chris Dickinson (133) led away and held the lead for the first lap or so. By the time the competitors had settled into the swing of things and lap 2 was under way, Jamie Devine had finished studying Dickinson’s moves and advanced on him to take the lead as the field went flat out over Pentith Climb. Rob Barber (24) followed suit, squeezing in between Devine and Dickinson as they neared Dunlop corner. Dickinson slipped back a little and managed to fend off the approaching Liam Weston (77) until very late in the race, when Weston made his move and claimed the final trophy.
Meanwhile, Kevin Duckworth (76) and Sunni Wilson (26) both from Rochdale, had their own battle with Duckworth riding very defensively indeed until Wilson finally emerged slightly quicker and finished the race just ever so slightly behind Daniel Crosbie (89).
Jamie Devine (20) again excelled in the points race in the penultimate race of the day, but Rob Barber (24) was not giving the Broughton youngster an easy time at all as the pair fought it out at the front. Liam Weston’s (77) final race of the day was very impressive, the Preston F600 pilot finising in a solid 3
rd place just behind Rob Barber (24) after yet another great ride. Also, Edward Hosker (31) performed to his usual high standard in the Steel Frame group, along with another local in the form of Stuart Poulton (46) the pair finishing 2
nd and 4
th respectively. Pet Corner Racing’s Ryan Garside (512) showed he still possessed immense racecraft following a long break from competition as he made progress throughout the race and crossed the line in 3
rd place for the Steel Frame class.
The final meeting of the year – rounds 6 and 7 - will be a 2-day double header, taking place on the 5
th and 6
th October. This is two separate rounds with racing on both days. Entries close 7 days before the meeting. Please visit
www.prestondmc.co.uk for full details, regulations and entry forms.
Words: Craig Evans (PDMCC Press Officer)
Images: Stephen Dobson (D-Pix)