Rain disrupted the running of the fourth round of the ACU Championships at the Hillingdon Speed and Spares sponsored Open Sports Nationals at Shakespeare County Raceway.
There was a full day of qualifying on Saturday and only two hours of track time on Sunday before the rain brought an end to the days action. On Monday morning more rain fell and a decision was to call off the meeting.
Funny Bike.
Dave Peters extended his points lead in the championship after qualifying in number one spot with 7.480-177.33. Peters had some handling issues but put a soft set up in and a new tyre that cured the problem. Pro Stock Bike rider Len Paget was in class to do some testing for next weekends European Finals at Santa Pod. Paget has built a 1640cc four-valve (normally runs a two-valve motor) and ran a pair of 7.5sec. Best et was 7.506–181.36. Paget ran 182.16mph with a slower time that is about 7mph faster than he has been recently with the two-valve motor. Allan Davies fitted a different cylinder head and bigger carbs for this event, but a cylinder head stud broke after recording his best time here at Shakespeare County 7.598 with a personal best speed of 178.70. Pete Le Gros has now fitted all the parts for the fuel system and ran personal best figures of 8.246-171.71. Phil Crossley debut his new Funny Bike and ran a best of 8.651-137.31. Both Dave Buttery and Nick Daniels had problems with their bikes.
Comp Bike.
Dave Smart ran personal best figures of 7.866-183.11 (first time 180 plus mph). Smart was having 60ft issues and changed the clutch set up for race day. Points leader Kevin Osman was just behind with 7.874 with a top speed of the meet 188.04. Mick Winyard was testing some parts during qualifying on Saturday and 7.949-182.06. Eddy Smiley was having traction problems in the second eighth 8141-165.33. Sean Mills damaged a clutch 9.436-107.30 and Phil Leamon had a cam chain break.
Super Street Bike.
Alex Hope just edged Graham Dance for the number one qualifying spot 7.633-183.67 to Dance 7.639-172.92. Dance did have the top speed of the event 191.25mph but with a slower et. Chris Reed changed his combination and fitted a new rear tyre (old tyre had been on for four years) 7.944-188.81. Sam Sykes was next 8.401 with newcomers Mark Hope 9.004 and former sprinter Roger Simmons 9.091
Report by Steven Moxley