Chris Martin (Dave Dean Honda),
the 33-year-old Yorkshire man and reigning ACU 250 title holder, won both championship races to make it five victories in a row and move to the top of the points’ table.
Phil Atkinson (Declan’s Racing Yamaha), the South African-born racer, now living in Horley, once again made Martin work for his success. Atkinson, 31 on the Saturday, wanted a win as a birthday present, but it was not to be. He was second fastest in qualifying, with Martin on pole, but though he had never been to the Wiltshire before Atkinson was determined to do well.
He made a good start in race one, but then had a big moment, narrowly avoiding being fired through the screen. By the time Atkinson was up to second place, Martin was well clear, going on to win by over 13 seconds.
Dave Hampton (J&RB Racing Yamaha) was third home, fighting his way on to the podium after being down in fifth on lap two. Ant Hodson (FCL Yamaha), the 37-year-old Lincolnshire racer, the series’ leader coming into the meeting, was fourth home, a fifth of a second behind Hampton.
Darrell Higgins (Dennis Trollope Racing Yamaha), the 55-year-old from nearby Melksham, was fifth over the line in that grandstand finish, less than four fifths of a second behind Hodson.
Hodson made a great start in race two, but was passed by Martin and Atkinson before the end of lap one. Atkinson chased Martin, beating Andrew Sawford’s 2008 record at 1m 12.8s. Atkinson caught Martin, starting a battle in which the lead changed several times.
Back markers came into play on the last lap, when Martin made a hard, but fair pass, to lead again and win less than half a second. Hampton was third, Hodson fourth and Higgins fifth. Andrew Sawford (St Neots Motorcycles Yamaha) was seventh in both races, scoring maximum points in the Pre 92 class.
Simon Hunt (Ransby-Todd Yamaha) took maximum points in the NG Cup series.