WORDS: Craig Evans IMAGES: D-Pix T&D Manley Classic 50cc Cup
A good grid of classic 50cc machines appeared for the penultimate round of the 2013 championship, and all were eagerly preparing for 5 laps of 50cc action as the start lights went out.
A welcome face on the grid was that of Steve Bedford (149) as he made his return to Wigan after a long break from PDMCC competition. Bedford brought along his Maidstone Motoliner-sponsored Minarelli for the last weekend of the year having not raced at the circuit since 2008.
Elsewhere in the race, Scott Dootson (38) got off to a flying start as he literally took off like a 2-stroke missile on the carbonfibreworks.co.uk Kreidler, and he held a massive lead for the entire race. After a frantic rebuild of the bike following the Aintree MCRC final round a couple of weeks ago it was clear that both man and machine were on top form as the Bolton bullet grabbed the lead from the outset. A little further back, Scott had some competition in the form of Andrew Frazer (134) and Allan Richardson (177) - the pair exiting Dunlop corner side by side on lap 2, but by the following lap Frazer had gained advantage over Richardson and edged away. On the final lap, Roger Naul (146) briefly got in front of Richardson, but it was the number 177 machine who got to the chequered flag before him, and the rest of the field were safely home headed up by Kerry Burton (8) and Adrian Sanders (56).
Another good showing of riders turned up for the points run, and it provided another opportunity for an excellent race. Dootson again scored himself another win after a rapid outing on the Kreidler, the spectators on the pit lane watching in awe as he proved unbeatable yet again. Andrew Frazer (134) again pushed hard in an excellent (and remarkably quick) effort and bringing the Kawasaki across the line in 2
nd. Roger Naul (146) was again in the mix, with Allan Richardson (177) and Adrian Sanders (56), crossing the line ahead of the pair.
S.K. Art Forgotten Era/Single Cylinder
Scott Dootson (38) gave another blistering performance – this time aboard the Newave Heating Honda RS125 - in the Single Cylinder race, pulling out all the stops in a sensational display of racecraft. Undeterred by the grey clouds and a few specks of rain falling over the circuit, he emerged victorious a good distance ahead of the rest following another fantastic run out with the GP machine.
Brad Mason returned to Three Sisters competition and shot to an immediate victory following a fantastic ride in the Forgotten Era class. Although only competing in Saturday’s round on the GSX550, the Sabden racer surprised many as he wound the power on following a very good start, riding skilfully and effortlessly to the class win.
Dan Crozier (48), Denzyl Weavill (900) and David Edwards (92) all had a very close knit battle mid-pack as the scrap for the remaining silverware progressed, the mighty red Ducati piloted by Weavill gaining the ultimate advantage and coming home in 4
th place just behind Mark Podmore (91) who put in a steady performance and returned in 3
rd, putting him in a good position for the afternoon championship battle. Philip Holmes (141) looked for more prizes to take home, and ended up with a runner-up pot to add to the collection. In the S/C class, Paul Birch (118) also looked comfortable on the Yamaha and brought the mighty single home in 2
nd just ahead of Kieran Smith (96) in 3
rd.
Scott Dootson (38) again blew everyone away with another stellar performance on the 125 as the points battle began. Brad Mason (34) had a bit more of a race on his hands this time round as he had a close battle with Philip Holmes (141) and Mark Podmore (91) had a quick ride as he made a serious bid for the championship, coming home in 3
rd place once more and aiming to stay at the top of the points table.
Although in separate classes, Paul Birch (118) mingled with Philip Holmes (141) as he set about his Single Cylinder campaign in the opening laps. Late entrant John Cooke (23) got right in on the action with Birch and just nipped past to get 2
nd in the Singles group.
PDMCC Marshals Club Steel Frame 600
Mike Bampton (80) got off to his usual good start as the battle of the steel framed machines commenced, but not without an immediate challenge by Ryan Garside (512) aboard the brightly coloured Pet Corner Racing CBR. Garside managed to pass Bampton on the second lap as the trophy hunt began and held a fantastic lead throughout. The quick 5-lap steelie dash continued and Edward Hosker (31) progressively edged forward, eventually finishing 3
rd and putting himself in good stead for some serious championship competition later on. Trevor Stokes (55) came very close to Hosker on a few occasions and appeared threatening at times, but Hosker increased his lead as the laps counted down. Another close battle took place between Martin Clare (5), James Leatham (21) and Stuart Poulton (46) and although the top spot went to Garside, Bampton and Hosker were ideally placed for race 2.
As the steelies came out to make their penultimate points bid, Ryan Garside (512) headed up the first lap but continued to be chased hard by Mike Bampton (80). Edward Hosker (31) again crept closer and made a bid, but came away with 3
rd following a steady ride and taking valuable points along the way. Trevor Stokes (55) had another steady ride and returned in 4
th.
Primecare Training F400 and 125/250cc
Neil Cook (174) took care of the F400 side of things as he made a dash when the lights were extinguished, pulling away and grabbing the lead with a massive gap from the rest of the pack. Mick Hampson (157) also brought his Yamaha FZR for a last outing this season, crossing the line in a steady 3
rd place but battling well with Kevin Gallagher (64) and Philip Holmes (141) along the way and returning home in between the pair. Peter Strohmaier (50) and Kieran Smith (96) also had the battle of the 125’s between themselves, and Strohmaier returned home with a win although only just ahead of Smith who was only just relegated to 2
nd. Simon Harris (510) mingled with the rest of this varied split grid, but rode exceptionally well and took care of the 250cc class by taking the win, with Mark Samuels (60), Brian Kneale (59 – a very quick ride) and Stuart Ogden (32) rounding up the 250cc class for this race.
As the points race progressed, Neil Cook (174) showed who was the F400 boss by putting in another immense performance on the Kawasaki. Following him home – although a few seconds behind – was Philip Holmes (141) and the Yamaha FZR contested by Mick Hampson (157). Kieran Smith (96) took victory in the 125cc class this time round, with Peter Strohmaier and Paul Whiting rounding off the top 3. 250cc victory belonged to Simon Harris (510) and his immaculate (and beautifully crisp sounding) Yamaha, with Mark Samuels (60), Brian Kneale (59) and Stuart Ogden (32) making up the 250cc class results.