WORDS: Craig Evans IMAGES: D-Pix Bikepics.smugmug.com Newcomers
As the last day of the season opened, the first race to the grid was the Newcomers race, a class which is favoured by competitors and spectators alike due to the highly competitive nature. The sun was still quite low and so were the track temperatures but a good race was presented.
Kevin Duckworth (76) got off to a good start aboard his well sorted CBR and maintained a good lead, but Ryan Garside (512) was waiting in the wings and took his overtaking chance on the approach to the hairpin on the second lap. Duckworth still rode hard and then participated in a battle with Barry Dimelow (158) and Ashley Blake (136), the pair passing him as the race progressed. Ben Charnock (86) had a solid ride, holding a decent position ready for a good start in the points race by crossing the line 6
th. Dimelow continued to be a heavy threat to Garside especially as the race drew to a close and even though he almost caught Garside on some of the slower corners, the young Fleetwood racer – who was also Saturday’s rider of the day voted for by the marshals - fended him off and crossed the line with another win, adding to yesterday’s enormous tally of successes.
The championship final race was first to the start line after the lunch break, and those taking part were faced with a tough battle as the points races were extended to 9 laps. After a very frantic start from the entire field, championship leader Barry Dimelow (158) got off to a flying start, as did nearest rival Ben Charnock (86). Ryan Garside (512) challenged the lead successfully yet again but it was Dimelow who was eager to take the rookie crown. As the racers got down to business, Ben Charnock (86) was eager to pass Kevin Duckworth (76) who was riding defensively and holding Charnock back from progressing into 3
rd as he pulled away during the 3
rd lap. Meanwhile, Dimelow – whilst thinking about points and positions – managed to fend off the rapidly approaching number 76 CBR but Charnock finally passed Duckworth in the closing stages as the pair tangled up with backmarkers, crossing the line in 3
rd. Although Garside yet again added another win to the huge tally he accumulated this weekend, Barry Dimelow became the PDMCC newcomers’ champion of 2013.
Jules Embroidery 501-1300cc Open
As predicted, Jamie Devine (20) set off after a textbook start to once again lead the 501-1300cc Open grid around the twisty Three Sisters track. The Broughton hot-shot took off like a missile when the light went out and – straight into first place – he increased his lead and proved unstoppable by lap 2. Liam Weston (77) also rode impeccably, and determined to increase his effort for a good starting place in the points race, held a solid second until the latter stages of the race. David Lewis (691) and Barry Dimelow (158) both had a fantastic ride, the pair side by side along the straight as lap 3 commenced until they were eventually joined by Ashley Blake (136) who mingled with the two, before eventually grabbing the final podium spot just behind Dimelow who crossed the line 2
nd. A little further back, John Goode (98) had a very close battle with club veteran Keith Ferrari (27) particularly on the corners, and Goode was definitely on form after achieving some decent lap times in yesterdays round aboard the Yamaha. Goode found his niche and began the chase for David Ransome (71) on the R6, but time was running out and he crossed the line in 9
th just marginally behind Ransome.
The PDMCC ‘premier’ class took to the tarmac for the final time of the year as race 16 of the day, and all eyes were on the number 20 machine of Jamie Devine as expectations of him emerging as class champion were aroused. Already 6 points ahead of his nearest opponent Liam Weston – who didn’t show to the grid for this outing – he got off to his usual epic start to ensure he came away with the result he wanted. The grid was fairly small for this final points campaign, but the main contenders rode hard and provided some fantastic entertainment. Barry Dimelow – 3
rd in the championship before the race – gave a fabulous performance just behind the rapid Devine, looking for some last minute points as the race got underway. Richard Whitton (321) was going well in the middle of the pack, getting stuck in and returning home with a 5
th place. David Lewis (691) and Kevin Duckworth (76) were participating in a very close battle between themselves, side by side on the smaller straights just behind a rapidly progressing Dimelow, but Duckworth emerged as the stronger of the two as he edged away from Lewis and claimed the final podium at the race conclusion. Devine was the unstoppable man of the moment however, and after a fantastic show of racing, took the final open class win of the year, along with the well-deserved 2013 title.
Pre-Injection
Even thought the pre-injection championship was relatively close in the top 2 places, all of the contenders involved were looking for good starting positions for the points race and doing so by some good performances in this outing. Mike Bampton (80) led away, but by the first time around the hairpin Ryan Garside (512) had done his usual thing of getting to the front. Just behind, Bampton, David Ransome (71) and Edward Hosker (31) were engaging in a tough battle on the 2
nd lap, as they too were eager to make a difference in the championship. They held this battle throughout the race, but Bampton came out on top just behind Garside, with Hosker and Ransome following home respectively. Just a little further back, John Goode (98) and Stuart Poulton (46) also fought it out, and even though the smaller Yamaha piloted by Goode appeared a bit nimbler around the corners, Poulton held his line, showing his seriousness about the championship. Garside – as predicted – took the chequered flag with a huge lead, and performed exceptionally well throughout.
Only 7 starters appeared for the final, and a very quiet group made its way to the starting grid for the last pre injection run of the year. After an impressive start, Mike Bampton (80) and Edward Hosker immediately locked horns and engaged in battle from the outset. Ryan Garside (512) shot off into the distance, well on his way to another win and leaving the championship battle between Hosker and Bampton to take place behind him. Richard Whitton had a fast ride and crossed the line in 4
th just behind Hosker who tried in vain to catch Bampton in a last ditch effort for points but had to settle for 3
rd. Whitton and Hosker were only separated by 4 points, but the overall race win went to Garside, and the well deserved pre injection championship title was awarded to Richard Whitton after a brilliant season.
Primecare Training Classics
The sun finally burnt its way through the October clouds, bringing the track temperature up nicely and setting the classics class up for a good race. Tony Benson (67) was the one to watch especially as he was the current class champ, and the withdrawal of Jack Clarks (14) set him up with an early advantage, making Benson ready to use this race to establish a good starting position for the points race later on. Former Preston and District classic champions Neil Ogden (65) and Jaeson Caunce (22) led away with the number 65 Honda K4 out in front, but champ Benson was importantly in 3
rd and maintaining his position whilst simultaneously battling it out with old rival Jonathan Nell (167). By lap 2 the reigning king of classics had pulled away and increased his lead from Nell. The third time round the grid had spaced out nicely, and the smaller up to 250cc machines were grouped together and engaging in battle a little further back. Steve Bedford (149) had clearly taken charge of the up to 250cc group with a decent lead but David Thorp (79) was closing in as he made his bid ready for the championship. Overall the race win went to Ogden with Caunce just behind, but Benson settled for 3
rd, ready for a serious outing later in the afternoon.
As the last race of the weekend – and indeed the season – was called, the Primecare Training classics class made their way to the starting grid for the final time this year. Although this was to be a championship race highlighting the main contenders, a brilliant battle took place at the front between PDMCC returners Jaeson Caunce (22) and Neil Ogden (65) as they regained their Three Sisters form. Tony Benson (67) – even though within reach of yet another classics title - had a good battle with Ogden as the race progressed, and Jaerson Caunce shot straight into the lead in a very quick ride , leaving the other K4 riders to fight it out just behind. Ogden eventually got the better of Benson and took the flag in 2
nd, but this didn’t matter as far as the championship was concerned as Benson finished in 3
rd, allowing him to retain his title after a fantastic race and a very successful season. Meanwhile, Steve Bedford took the class win for the up to 250cc classics, followed home by Bill Butler and new class champion David Thorp, concluding the proceeding for this year.