Photo by Andrea Georgeson
Castletown's Chris Palmer proved to be invincible in totally contrasting conditions at the Blackford's Pre TT Classic Classic Road Races, round six of the Duke Road Race Rankings 2013.
In glorious sunshine on the first day of the two day meeting on the Billown Course, Chris Palmer took a six second victory on the Ripley Land 349 AJS over fellow veteran rival, Bill Swallow riding his 344 Aermacchi with Richard Hawkins third in the Singles Race.
The morning of the 'main' race day was washed out, thankfully the conditions eased and the afternoon race programme was able to proceed, albeit with reduced race distances.
Chris Palmer excelled in the unpleasant conditions competing in three races and taking three chequered flags.
Palmer opened his account with his closest finish of the day - four-tenths of a second in the Junior race over Liverpudlian Mike Hose as fellow Merseysider Jamie O'Brien filled the final podium spot.
Riding a Matchless G50 in the 850 Classic Race Chris once again headed home Bill Swallow on a similarly mounted machine, with Alan Oversby third.
Palmer's final victory of the day came in the Post Classic event riding a 250cc Yamaha from 2012 Manx Grand Prix Newcomers winner James Cowton on a 250 Yamaha who was followed home by Mike Hose on another 250 Yamaha.
Chris Palmer moves up 15 positions in the Duke Rankings slotting into fourth place in the table.
Highest climber James Cowton advances no less than 61 rungs to 45th place.
The attention now moves to the Snaefell Mountain Course for the Isle of Man TT Races for the seventh round of the Duke Road Race Rankings, quickly followed by the Metzeler Post TT Road Races one the Billown Course. The action then moves to Oliver's Mount, Scarborough for Round Nine.
Full details can be found on https://www.facebook.com/DukeRoadRaceRankings