This year the weather hasn’t been kind to drag racing and once again rain stopped the eliminations from taking place. Three qualifying sessions were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, but only one and half sessions were completed on Saturday due to rain. Sunday saw a full session and there were some personal bests recorded.
Funnybike.
Dave Peters damaged his gearbox (cases cracked) on his first pass, so the team did an engine change ready for Sunday and Peters recorded a personal best of 7.252 at 180.40 to be the number one qualifier. Points leader Gary Jones ran only on Saturday and qualified with a 7.424-179.71. Another rider to only run on Saturday was Dale Leeks 7.740-169.46. Lorcan Parnell was over powering the track during qualifying and on his last pass a conrod let go at mid-track 8.221-114.74. Jiri Lukes ran a personal best speed 166.97 on Saturday and qualified with a best of 8.400-163.67. Harold Wolfenden was out of the show with gearbox problems 9.583-121.84. Pete Le Gros debut his V Twin, doing observed runs with a best of 9.608. He will be able to compete in the next round of the Championship.
Comp Bike.
Phil Crossley continued his good form by recording a personal best of 7.532-172.29 to lead the Comp Bike field. Points leader Allan Davies was next 7.868-171.79. Paul Hambridge had his best outing for a long time with back to back 8.0sec and qualified with 8.085-173.68 to just edged Kevin Osman for third who ran 8.096 with a personal best speed of 187.38 (top speed of the meet). Tony Clark struggled for top end power and ran a best of 8.281-160.30. Steve Moor was on the bump spot with 9.894-135.36.
Super Street Bike.
Steve Venables was the number one qualifier 7.354-193.82. Graham Balchin had a lot of work to get his motor ready for this event and with a new turbo bolted on ran 7.430-192.41. Chris Reed rebuilt his motor after damaging the cases at the last round. He ran a best of 8.243-177.58. Dave Thomas ran 8.407-176.43 for fourth spot. Newcomer Dave Ward did his observed runs on the ex Barry Henson bike and ran 8.434 with a personal best speed of 179mph.
Report by Steven Moxley.