The fourth and fifth rounds of the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy couldn’t have played out in more different conditions. Round four on Saturday 6th June, saw a dominant Ross Connolly take pole, race win and fastest lap. Round five on Sunday 7th June, however suffered from the British weather and was rained off.
The fourth round of the R&G racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy produced thrilling racing as ever. Connolly wasn’t able to capitalise on his pole position allowing third placed rider Mark Cheetham to get the hole shot.
However, by the end of lap two Connolly had resumed his usual position leading the pack. He put his head down and pushed hard for the first two laps, to set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1min 37:59secs, he also pulled a three second gap on second place man Cheetham.
Trophy regular, Chris Hawkes was keen to win his first race of the series but was foiled by an equally determined Cheetham who worked hard to maintain his second place. Ross Richards came home fourth, bettering his qualifying position by two places.
Top novice of the day was Duncan Bedwell who picked up another Express Insurance Top Gun award, whilst the Relentless Rider of the Day award went to Wayne Crossman, who finished a credible eighth in his first ever R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy race.
Race winner and Championship leader, Connolly said: “Loved it again – got a reasonable start and followed Chris and Mark for a lap. I soon saw that I was much faster in a couple of places so I made the pass and got my head down. I rode to my pit board and maintained a three second gap to get the win. Tomorrow may be different because the forecast is for rain.”
Cheetham said: “What a start! I thought I had it and then Connolly comes and spoils me party. I tried to stick with him but it was so hard. I kept looking behind me and seeing Hawkes’ mad staring eyes so I just tried to keep going. Fantastic race though.”
Hawkes commented: “My motor was rattling after qualifying so I decided to change it. I haven’t stopped for two hours. We only just managed to get it done for the race. I loved the race and should have had a go at Mark earlier in the race instead of following. I’m off to the TT tomorrow so will miss the race on Sunday.”
As it turned out Hawkes didn’t need to worry about missing Sunday’s race as the weather took care of that for him.
Heavy persistent rain that had been forecast for the whole weekend finally arriving around lunchtime on Sunday, and conditions at Cadwell Park rapidly deteriorated into the afternoon.
The R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy race was due on track at 16:30, but by 15:30 the Clerk of the Course had requested a track inspection due to the increasing amount of standing water on the track and water running across the circuit in places.
The situation was made worse because the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy bikes run treaded road legal tyres rather than full wets. With the rain getting heavier as the afternoon went on, the decision was taken to cancel round five of the Championship, with all riders in agreement that it was the safest decision.
Championship leader Connolly, totally agreed with the decision: “Certainly the safest call in the conditions. I’ve been watching from a few places around the track and even the bikes on full wets are aquaplaning. I can go home now and try out my new sofa.”
Second place man Mark Cheetham also agreed: “I should have brought me Jet Ski rather than my bike! There are rivers running across the track – I blame Global Warming!”
Mark Dunckley from R&G Racing said: “Who can catch Connolly? He made it a perfect set once more with pole, fastest lap and a win. It’s a shame the British weather had to hamper things over the weekend but the hot action on Saturday made up for it.”
The Championship now moves to Donington Park on 26th - 28th June, when the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy will support the World Superbike Championship.
R&G Racing is a specialist in crash protection products so for your nearest R&G Racing dealer, contact 01420 521100 or visit www.rg-racing.com
For more information on the R&G Racing Suzuki GSX-R Trophy, visit www.gsxrtrophy.co.uk.
Round four race results:
1. ROSS CONNOLLY 19:50:09
2. MARK CHEETHAMD 19:53:24
3. CHRIS HAWKES 19:55:03
4. ROSS RICHARDS 19:55:39
5. DUNCAN BEDWELL 20:20:31
6. PAUL ROGERS 20:37:44
7. WILLIAM SAWYER 20:51:36
8. WAYNE CROSSMAN 20:11:11 1 LAP
9. NICKY WILSON 20:49:89 1 LAP
DNF KEN THOMPSON
RICHARD STEADMAN
FASTEST LAP ROSS CONNOLLY 1:37:59
Championship Standings:
1. ROSS CONNOLLY 100
2. MARK CHEETHAM 76
3. ROSS RICHARDS 60
4. CHRIS HAWKES 52
5. DUNCAN BEDWELL 41
6. PAUL ROGERS 30
7. WILLIAM SAWYER 29
8. ROD STEADMAN 23
9. KEN THOMPSON 22
10. NICKY WILSON 21
Championship points breakdown.