This event was the final round of the 2013 ACU Championships which in the past has seen this event produce some stunning performances of the last few years due to the good weather conditions and 2013 saw a national speed record set and many personal bests. Saturday was scheduled for four qualifying sessions only there were two major oildowns, which put back the schedule and only three sessions were completed.
There was no Pro Stock Bike competing due to a few riders having breakages at the National Finals event. Mark Smith won the National Finals event and became the 2013 ACU Pro Stock Bike champion.
Funnybike.
Lorcan Parnell made his competition debut on the STORM Funnybike. Which has been under construction for a few years and has been tested and modified by Barry Eastman and Mick Hand. Leading up to this event Parnell ran personal best of 7.4sec and 7.3secs in testing. In the second qualifying session Parnell ran a personal best of 7.205 at 182.07mph. But oil came out from the catch tank and the team decided not to risk damaging the motor and didn’t run again over the weekend. 2013 champion Stuart Crane was the number two qualifier with 7.527-175.06. Teammate Dale Leeks ran his first seven second pass of 7.590-168.56. There was also good times from Nick Daniels 7.861 at 174.40 and Holland’s Stefan Schmidt with a p/b of 8.050-163.05.
Dave Peters had a shaft break in his transmission, which put him out of competition.
In the eliminations Crane ran a jaw dropping 7.245 personal best against Viep Bloemen who also recorded his best of the season 9.732-153.63. In the semi-finals it was an all Warpspeed Racing, with Crane going quicker 7.225 against Leeks who did another p/b of 7.570-170.44. The final Crane had problem at the 60ft mark and the bike went towards the centre line while out going champion Maarten Zijlstra got to the finish first with 8.565 to Crane’s troubled 15.379.
Comp Bike.
This has been a very competitive class this year with a few new faces reaching the winner’s circle. Coming into this event the championship was between Lizz McCarthy, Allan Davies and Jemma Venables. In the open qualifying session Davies damaged a piston at ¾ track and was out of the show. Also out was reigning champion Phil Leamon who had an alternator belt come off at mid-track and then the crankshaft broke. This was the first engine breakage in 12 years and in that period the bike had 365 passes. All eyes turned onto the two ladies and McCarthy just edged Venables in the first session 7.635-174.38. to Venables 7.644 at 191.25. In the next session McCarthy turned the wick up and ran personal best figures of 7.433-175.08. In the final session the air was good and many riders ran personal bests. First Venables reset the ACU speed record with 192.89mph. Tony Clark on his Outlaw bike ran a p/b of 7.666-173.74. Phil Crossley was next with a p/b of 7.687 and then Kevin Osman ran his first seven second pass of 7.930 with a p/b speed of 180.66.
Dave Batcheler came into the eliminations as first alternate for Leamon. McCarthy had to beat Harold Wolfenden to take the championship, which she led from start to finish 7.464 to Wolfenden best run of the weekend 7.974. McCarthy becomes the second lady (first was Helen Curran 2001 Comp Bike champion) to win an ACU Championship. Venables beat Clark in the first semi-final 7.568 to 7.823. Crossley reached his first ever ACU final, when McCarthy engine let go at ¾ track. The best race of the day saw Crossley put a holeshot (rt155 to 255) on Venables who powered around Crossley to take the win light 7.607 to 7.716.
Super Street Bike.
The title was an all Ven Racing affair Graham Balchin led coming into the final round ahead of teammate Steve Venables. In was Venables who topped the table with figures of 7.270-198.05 with Balchin just behind 7,272-199.73. Danny Cockerill ran personal best figures of 7.339-196.39 for third spot. FIM European Champion Garry Bowe was next 7.445-190.62. Richard Hann ran a jaw dropping 7.459 p/b. There was also a p/b for Peter Grancia 7.650-186.57.
The championship was decided in the second round when Dave Holland put a holeshot (rt093 to 159) over Venables and held on for the win with 7.310-201.67 (top speed) to Venables quicker but losing 7.267-197.94. Balchin came out next and beat Luke Farrugia from Malta 7.318 to 7.717 to become the ACU Champion.
Balchin went on to win the event when he beat first time ACU finalist Hann 7.337 to 7.503.
Pete Field did a test pass after getting knocked out in the first round and ran a personal best of 7.297 at 196mph to the happy smiles from his brothers Frank and Carl.
Congratulations to the following on winning their ACU Championships.
Funnybike Stuart Crane.
Pro Stock Bike Mark Smith.
Comp Bike Lizz McCarthy.
Super Street Bike Graham Balchin.
Report by Steven Moxley.