Thundersprint 2014 – the Big, and Very, Very Wet, One

With Scott Redding, Jim Redman, Sam Lowes and Nick Jefferies on the start line the only big star missing from this year’s Thundersprint was Noah – and he was the one with most experience of the conditions!

Riders weren’t so much looking for a good wet set up for their bikes as outboard engines and inflatables - as the rain lashed down and a bitter wind howled around Darley Moor.

Despite the conditions, the stars put on a really good show for the thousands of spectators who braved the conditions. Scott Redding said: “The weather spoiled things for everyone but I met loads of fans and we put on the best show that we could in the conditions.”

Six times World Champion Jim Redman was just as upbeat: “I can’t remember rain this bad for a long time but you can’t fix the weather. The important thing for me was that we put on a good show for the thousands of spectators who turned out. I really enjoyed meeting everyone and brought the bike back in one piece and so I went away happy.”

Pete Johnson had travelled from Birmingham and he still managed a smile as the rain lashed down. “You can’t fix the rain in Britain. The trade stands were great and meeting Sam Lowes on the CMC stand made my day. He’s just such a lovely person.”

Despite the conditions, riders put on a great show with all the Cavalcades taking place and, incredibly in view of the tsunami conditions, the whole race programme being completed.

Thundersprint organiser Frank Melling was still smiling, despite being knee deep in mud for two days. “We always aim to be the best at everything we do with the Thundersprint and everyone, including locals who had been visiting Darley for the last forty years, said that this was the wettest and windiest meeting they had ever seen. Short of a tidal wave on the A515, it couldn’t have been any worse!

“The reaction to the Thundersprint has been tremendously positive from spectators and traders and, in view of the thousands of spectators who braved the conditions, we were all wondering just what a vast crowd we would have attracted if the weather had been even half decent.

“I would like to add a special note of thanks to the people of Ashbourne, and the surrounding areas, for making us feel so welcome. When you start looking in Estate Agents’ windows you know that you are in a very special place.”