Rounds 7, 8 & 9 took place at the sprawling Donington park circuit where the freshly laid surface was receiving high accolades from those that had managed to sneak in “unofficial” test opportunities prior to the NG paddock arriving. It was clear from the times being reported on the Friday test day that the rumours were indeed accurate and with great expectations for some fast laps the class records were surely under threat.
For qualifying, A class (injection) Dominic Can (1) placed himself P3 on the mixed grid with a time of 120.516. Closely followed by Carl Smalley (691) with 120.719. The ever improving Andrew Howes (72) managed to post a time of 122.18 to also line up on the second row. In B class (pre-injection) Floyd Moody (7) placed himself on the middle of row 5 with a 124.714 and Mikey Smith just 2 spots behind him on row 6 with a 125.508.
For Race 1 Cann (1) Had a great start behind eventual race winner Elijah Everton on his Junior Super Sport machine and was closely followed by Smalley (691) with small gap to Howes (72) and Dan James (12) just behind. Unfortunately, on lap 6 Smalley (691) was collected by a JSS bike at the bottom of Craner Curves resulting in the race being red flagged and both riders requiring medical attention. After the red flag A class positions were deemed Cann (1) in first place with a new NG lap record Of 119.909, James (12) in second and Howes (72) taking his first DD trophy (other than the bonnet of buffoonery!) in third place. In B class race Moody (7) came home in first position with a new NG lap record of 124.670. Brian Tipple (27),4 seconds further down the road and Smith (89), a further second behind him.
Race one on Sunday saw Cann (1) bring home his A class machine in first position, with Howes (72) bettering his Saturday position on the podium taking second place, 3 seconds adrift, and James (12) in the final podium spot. In B class Moody (7) was first to cross the line with rookie Oliver Dixon (63) coming home in second place and Smith (89) in third.
For the afternoon race Cann (1) was again unchallenged at the front of A class and come home in first position with James (12) in second and Jason Dixon (62), benefitting from Howes (72) Redgate off, claiming third spot. In B class Smith (89) came home first with Moody (7) forced from the top step for the first time all weekend in second and Oliver Dixon (63) claiming the final podium position to make it a father & son P3 lockout across both A and B class.
As always the Ducati Sporting Club would like to express their thanks to all of those at NGRRC for organising the event and especially the marshals and medical teams who looked out for our fallen riders and to Dunlop and Clinton Howe for the tyre support.
If you are thinking of joining the series in 2023 or beyond please seek out the “Desmo Due Paddock” page on Facebook or Ducatisportingclub.com for further information or come and have a chat with us in the Paddock.
Word : Andy Hind
Pics: Colin Hill: hairybeastpix@hotmail.com