HMRC Round Three at Pembrey, South Wales on 21 + 22nd June 2008

MotoGrande - Race 1 - 15 laps

17 riders had qualified for the two races of the MotoGrande series and from the drop of the Welsh flag it was Greg Allsop who made top spot his own and never looked back despite the changeable weather conditions. Second in practice, Gary Jones started at the back of the grid after enjoyed a lightening start but pulled in after 3 laps. The 18 lapper was red flagged early due to a spill by Jed Angles which rendered him pinned down by his Kawasaki ZX10R, confirming Allsop as winner from Dave Stewardson, poleman Duncan Knox and Throttle Monkey Man Eric Chitty, GBMoto Junior racer Phill Clarke kept ahead of James Walker riding an ex Phase One Suzuki 750. It was good to see, and hear all three Aprilias running till then including the RAF lads who form Roundall Racing in the Junior Endurance championship.

Results
1 Greg Allsop * Tri 675
2 Dave Stewardson * Hon 600
3 Duncan Knox Hon 600
4 Eric Chitty Suz 750
5 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
6 James Walker Suz 750
7 David Rose Apr RSVR
8 Ed Pashley Tri 675
9 Kevin Doughty Apr RSVR
10 Russell Horton Yam 600
11 Simon Allen Apr RSVR
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Dave Stewardson 1m 03.039s 83.149 mph


MotoGrande - Race 2 - 13 laps

Dave Stewardson secured the hole shot in dry but windy conditions and was never challenged, leaving in his wake the rest of the MotoGrande field. The race was red flagged after Samantha Godfrey had high sided her Kaw 600 exiting Debini, confirming Stewardson as winner, only 1.3s ahead of Race 1 winner, Greg Allsop, Duncan Knox, Gary Jones and Sam Godfrey’s team mate, Phill Clarke who is really enjoying his season so far, Phase One personnel James Walker rounded off the top six, in seventh was Sean Moss, Gary Jones’ Junior team mate. Further down the field we had the Rabbit Racing pair bringing up the rear.

Samantha was taken to a nearby hospital with a suspected broken leg; we look forward to her return to the action. It was Sam’s wish that Mick stay at the circuit as GBMoto National rider rather than spend hours hanging around a hospital A & E department – what fine selfless judgement, come back quick Sam!

Results
1 Dave Stewardson* Hon 600
2 Greg Allsop * Tri 675
3 Duncan Knox Hon 600
4 Gary Jones Yam 600
5 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
6 James Walker Suz 750
7 Sean Moss Hon 600
8 David Rose Apr RSVR
9 Ed Pashley Tri 675
10 Russell Horton Yam 600
11 Ray Warren Yam 1000
12 Aaron Hobart Yam 600
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Greg Allsop 1m 02.738s 83.547 mph

Junior TAG Endurance Championship

Once again for the 2008 season, championship leaders Team Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) were proficient in converting pole into a win in the two hour encounter. This was not a total domination for the pairing as tyre choice was to play an important role to play in the outcome – currently regulations state a rider must remain on the tyre which they start out on and with rapidly varying weather conditions, the initial choice of rubber has never been more crucial.

In the early stages of the race it was Trackcraft who set the pace ahead of Freaks of Nature Too (Kevin Tait/Dave Stewardson), Team MIB (Greg Allsop/Tom Rutherford) and Gasi Racing (Grant Gaskins/Paul Hodge) – Paul Hodge replaces Grant’s wife Helen who was seen scuttling around on crutches on the Saturday. Following the introduction of the pace car it was Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker) who seized the lead, enjoying a 27s advantaged which was maintained at the one hour mark over Trackcraft – the pursuing five teams (Freaks of Nature Too, Billericay Coachworks (Kevin Maxted/Tim Gorringe), Team MIB (Tom had endured a spill during the race which cost them some time and places), Gas Doctors (Dene John/Steve Griffiths) and Team Throttle Monkey (Andy Buik/Richard Gammon)) who were a lap adrift but nicely bunched up. In the 600 class, front row starters sorrymate.com (Jenny Tinmouth/Fergus Dalgarno) led four of their classmates all on the same lap – close racing or what? Jenny has been riding impressively recently as her performance in Hottrax Junior and at Brands Hatch in Thundersports recently indicates; Fergus admits he is riding better as a result of Jenny’s imput into his riding.

Tyre choice strategy kicked in again as the weather conditions rapidly changed from dry and windy to saturation and windy. In the closing stages of the race, Trackcraft and Co-Ordit were less than half a lap out of touch in the Junior 1000s, ditto in the 600s sorrymate.com were only just ahead of Snails Pace Racing (Sean Moss/Gary Jones) who were deducted a lap as Moss stayed out on the track longer than is permissible in the rules. Up until the last round at Snetterton, both Gary and Sean were part of Best Choice Racing at national level; they have now switched to the Junior race using their own machines. Similar penalties were also metered out to other teams who had committed similar indiscretions.

Newcomers to racing the Gas Doctors, a pair of local trackday participants, were a little surprised to find themselves second quickest on the grid in qualifying, they made the most of their start, both had a couple of sweat inducing moments on the way to the flag finishing 5th in class – both riders were delighted and hope to reappear at rounds in the future, confirming the purpose of Junior Endurance as the next rider development stage from being trackday regulars.

Results
1 Team Trackcraft* 106 laps
2 Co-Ordit Racing 106 laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too 105 laps
4 Billericay Coachworks 104 laps
5 Gas Doctors 104 laps
6 Team Throttle Monkey 103laps
7 sorrymate.com * 102 laps
8 Electric Lemonade 102 laps
9 Team MIB 101 laps
10 Spellframe Racing 101 laps
11 Gasi racing 101 laps
12 Advance Bike Shipping 100 laps
13 DNR Motorsport 100 laps
14 GBMoto Junior 100 laps
15 Rawlings Racing 100 laps
16 Snails Pace Racing 100 laps
17 ETA Racing 99 laps
18 Dos Albaniles 98 laps
19 Team Monkey 6 98 laps
20 Team Sober 97 laps
21 Freaks of Nature 96 laps
22 Team Tortoise 94 laps
23 Pirate Racing 94 laps
24 Rabbit Racing 92 laps
25 Roundall Racing 91 laps
26 MC racing 89 laps
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Co-Ordit Racing 1m 02.091s 84.418 mph

National + Senior TAG Endurance

Pembrey pole was pinned by 2007 champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Pete Jennings/Yamaha R1) in changeable conditions on the day before the race – the only team to dip under the minute mark with a 59.918s. The majority of the teams had experienced dramas during practice or qualifying; welcome returnees to the series Uprite Racing (Rod Lynn/Alex Cudlin/Declan Swanton/Suz 1000), and second fastest, had lost their number one engine and spent over six hours throughout the night trying to fix it, eventually fitting last year’s plant for the Sunday race, testament to the work of Triff, Gresh and the gang. In 2007, Uprite won three out of the five National races but failed to take the title due to the consistent performance of GBMoto. Current series leaders Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul-Scott/Yamaha R1) also said goodbye to their only engine, managing to locate a standard road engine from a breaker, miles away from the track – a journey to collect + purchase the replacement item was followed by an impressive engine swap by the Moores men in less that 90 minutes. Third fastest was Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Andy Jones/Mark Long/R6) making the most of circuit specialist Long and a well prepared Yamaha, Mark was deputising for Pete Gibson who was away at a social event!

At the start just before midday it was GBMoto who sprinted ahead keeping a respectable lead over the chasing opposition, pitting around the one hour mark and keeping their lead on the road, early dramas for Sweatshop Moores who spent 45 minutes pitted to sort the machine out after an
‘off’ by John Paul Scott, Moore’s R6 (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) also returned to pitlane after Jim fell off at the hairpin following contact with a slower rider. This R6 had been suffering all weekend with binding brakes and took to the start line with the same issues, the team had literally tried everything to rectify the gremlin but to no avail – a DNF would effectively put paid to Moores championship battle.

We had also lost Greg Wilson’s Best Choice Endurance (Richard Greenland/David Hockham/Stuart Holloway – a strong combination with lots of North Gloucester experience of Pembrey at Streetstocks level) after the R6 continued at speed into the foam protection barrier, again at the hairpin, and it was impossible to retrieve the stricken machine so the team remained frustrated until they could leave the track after the race had finished.

Just prior to the two hour mark Uprite pitted with overheating problems which kept the team busy for a while, at the same time GBMoto had built up a 5 lap advantage over nearest rival, the Supersport of Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6). Congratulations to student Jon who recently started blagging championship points at BSB meetings, starting with Snetterton. The Phoenix Endurance R6 was next in for a long stop at Shelley Pike tried to locate the source of disturbing and costly engine noises, eventually retiring from the race. This was a rare blemish in the team’s history where retirements are very rare indeed!

Uprite were back under the awning with a cooked generator – a legacy of the earlier overheating problems and Sweatshop Moores were back in the groove, working towards achieving 75% of the winner’s distance to qualify for championship points at the end of the round and work towards the championship.

Half way point of the race saw GBMoto heading the first of the 600s by a convincing 7 laps over Ducks X – we also had Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) and Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson) on the same lap a mere 4 seconds apart.

More dramas for Uprite, at one stage they were absolutely flying before the stopwatches showed a downturn in speed – rider Rod Lynn was called in for fresh rubber and returned to the fray as Team Viking were up to third place before dropping back. Uprite retired 40 minutes later, just after the four hour mark, when last year’s engine cried enough on the start/finish straight, a major disappointment to crew chief Max Scholl, the team and the trio of young top riders with masses of valuable experience.

For the closing stages GBMoto continued to rack up the laps and win the race by a convincing 18 laps over Ducks X, a real fight for third place saw Darkside beat Throttle Monkey (Dave Stewardson/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) who had had a steady race with a very respectable outcome and finished on the same lap as their rivals. Viking were a mere lap adrift in fifth ahead of Black Flag Racing (George Duncan/Sam Smithson) demoting Black Cat Racing (George Bicket/Mark Westcott/Robert Knoyle) in the final couple of laps of the race, Moores Racing and Sweatshop Moores never really recovering from loosing so much time early in the race.

Spare a thought for Dave Stewardson who entered every race of the weekend and came away with a fist and second in MotoGrande, a third place in the 2 hour Junior and, replacing at the last minute, non starter Andy McKnight sporting crutches!, a fourth and a class win in the 6 hour Senior race! Andy was given the very important task of flagging the race away. As well as riding for the winning team, Mick Godfrey dropped the chequered cloth effectively on the third round of the Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club National and Senior Endurance Race.

Not even halfway stage of the championship and it’s getting closer at the top of the points table, and anything can happen in endurance racing, Round 4 is at Snetterton on 2nd + 3rd August 2008.

Results
1 GBMoto * 337 laps
2 Ducks Cross Racing * 319 laps
3 Darkside Endurance 315 laps
4 Throttle Monkey 72 racing * 315 laps
5 Team Viking 314 laps
6 Black Flag Racing * 307 laps
7 Black Cat Racing 307 laps
8 Moores Racing 301 laps
9 Sweatshop Moores 280 laps
10 Uprite Racing 193 laps
11 Phoenix Endurance 66 laps
12 Best Choice Endurance 15 laps
*Class winner
Fastest Lap GBMoto 59.887s 87.525 mph 

HMRC Round Two at Snetterton, Norfolk on 17th + 18th May 2008

Junior TAG Endurance Championship - 2 hours

A massive entry of 68 riders and 34 machines assembled on the grid for the 2 hour Junior TAG Endurance race in damp conditions at the Snetterton circuit. First round winners Team RHR (Robin Hooker/Stephan Capella) failed to make the grid following a testing accident by Capella, leaving Team Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) to take a wet pole position with a time of 1m 16.945s. New to series, IBEX Scaffolding Race Team (Kevin Maxted/Neil Gregory) impressed as next fastest with Gregory in only his fourth ever race. Top 600 outfit were Sorrymate.com (Jenny Tinmouth/Fergus Dalgarno) who were sixth fastest overall. If you ever get into a spot of bother contact Fergus for his expertise, advice and support concerning legal matters. Jenny on the other hand is a very quick rider and rode the BSB Rizla Suzuki last year at Mallory's Race of the Year to good effect.

After the start it was Trackcraft who established and maintained a sensible lead to keep out of trouble for the duration of the race. IBEX had been caught out by the flag, initially loosing ground on the front of the field, but some sterling riding by track day instructor Maxted had them at the sharp end again. Carl Costa managed to dump his Triumph 675 only five minutes after starting the race after an unfortunate highside, whilst Team MIB struggled for reliability following a practice excursion off the track.

At the half way point Trackcraft held a 90 second advantage over IBEX with Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson) and 2007 race winners, Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker) a lap down.

During the final hour of the race we saw Co-Ordit displace Freaks of Nature Too, Advance Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) were fifth and the top six were rounded off by TCP Racing (Paul Flemans/Tim Fergus). In the 600 Junior race the very steady ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley) nailed top spot and 11th overall from DNR Motorsport (Richard Payne/Dave Brooking) and Sorrymate.com - all covered by less than a minute. Husband and wife team - Gasi Racing (Grant + Helen Gaskins, a nurse) finished fourth a lap ahead of GBMoto Junior (Sam Godfrey/Phill Clarke), Lightside Endurance (Darren Nichols/Andy Buik) completed the top six. Trackcraft produced the fastest lap of the race at 1m 13.054s.

This was Mike Dickenson's only ride of the weekend - where BSB clashes with the HMRC championship the talented South African will fill in for regular rider Pete Jennings who will be chasing points at British Superbike meetings. It surprised me that Mike, and he isn't alone, has no real history of riding on the roads either back home or in the UK, Best Choice's Garry Jones is the same.

Results

1 Team Trackcraft 94 laps *
2 IBEX Scaffolding racing Team 93 laps
3 Co-Ordit Race Team 92 laps
4 Freaks of Nature Too 92 laps
5 Advance Bike Shipping 91 laps
6 TCP 89 laps
7 Spellframe Racing 89 laps
8 Name With Held 89 laps
9 Team Throttle Monkey 89 laps
10 Team MIB 88 laps
11 ETA Racing 88 laps *
12 DNR Motorsport 88 laps
13 Sorrymate.com 88 laps
14 SMF Racing 88 laps
15 Dos Albaniles 87 laps
16 Rawlings Racing 87 laps
17 Team Sober 87 laps
18 Gasi Racing 87 laps
19 GBMoto Junior 86 laps
20 GT Racing 85 laps
21 Lightside Endurance 85 laps
22 Damoose Racing 84 laps
23 Team Monkey 6 83 laps
24 Twinwoods Racing 82 laps
25 Freaks of Nature 82 laps
26 Team Tortoise 81 laps
27 Pirate Racing 80 laps
28 Round All Racing 77 laps
29 Rabbitt Racing 76 laps
30 Whitewall Racing 66 laps
31 RC Racing 34 laps
32 S and P Racing 30 laps
33 Radtec Racing 19 laps
DNS Team RHR

* Class Winners

Fastest Lap Junior 100 Team Trackcraft 1m 13.054s
Fastest Lap Junior 600 Sorrymate.com 1m 13.347s

National + Senior TAG Endurance Championship - 6 hours

Pole for the six hour encounter was snatched by last year's champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Pete Jennings/R1) from BSB refugees Co-Ordit Racing (Pete Bradshaw/Phil Bevan/Richard Cooper/R1) only minutes after GBMoto had stopped out on the circuit with electrical problems. Pre race testing included a spill for Macca as well as an engine change. Their pole time was set at 1m 10.474s, almost half a second quicker than Co-Ordit. Third fastest were Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul Scott/R1), winners of the first round at Anglesey. A big pat on the back for Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6) who were quicker than the Moores Racing R6 (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) - looks like a Yamaha lock out! The Moores R6 was rebuilt following Mike Eglington's crash at Anglesey a month ago; Mike also had the job of setting the bike up for Snetterton. Ducks Cross's Jon Railton will be having a busy year juggling HMRC, national Supersport racing and more importantly; his A levels.

It was good to see Co-Ordit at Snetterton with a strong rider line up - team principal Pete Bradshaw takes his racing very seriously and is no slouch, joining him was rapid Welshman and respected national rider Phil Bevan, often described as Pembrey circuit specialist running a race school and track day business at this South Wales venue. To top the trio off the team bought in Nottingham rising star Richard Cooper - best known for winning BMW Boxer Cup races around the world, riding BMW's development twin in long distance events and a couple of months ago had a terrific showing at Daytona Raceweek, he is still only 23 and works for sponsors Pidcock Motorcycles as a white van man - he has an excellent career ahead of him. Bradshaw is keen to support this series and hopes to return when BSB and other commitments allow. To hone his racecraft further Cooperman races a Kawasaki 600 at Darley Moor when his schedule allows. The team came equipped with their Dean Ellison Superbike, a Superstock machine from the national series and a hybrid bike. Dean Ellison was pencilled in to ride for the team but will focus on getting back to full health. A committed team owner Bradshaw has developed an academy approach to developing motorcycle racing champions through from Roadstocks at Mallory, clubman’s 600, Rob Mac's Henderson R1 Cup, national Superstock and BSB.

At the noon start, held in dry but cool conditions, it was GBMoto who shot off the line and built up an initial lead over Sweatshop, Ducks X, Moores and Co-Ordit. After only 30 minutes Throttle Monkey 72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) called in with a rear puncture and Co-Ordit replaced a worn rear slick; at the hour mark emerging star Richard Cooper hammered around on the Co-Ordit to make up some time, whilst GBMoto pitted for adjustments and Sweatshop took over the lead on the road. Despite some brilliant riding by Jon Railton the Ducks X R6 was the first retirement with a broken engine. AMA Racing (Mark Westcott/Andrew Parker/Mark Affleck/R1) had the first of two crashes out on the circuit which required attention before carrying on, also in the wars were Best Choice (Garry Jones/Hazel Drury/Sean Moss/R6) who had a testing crash and endured the whole of the six hour race coping with fuel flow problems and the oil warning light going on and off!

After two hours had run GBMoto came in for a very long pit stop whilst Co-Ordit were two laps down in second place who managed to secure the lead just before their pit stop which handed the lead back to the Sweatshop boys, GBMoto rejoining the field in a distant seventh place, not having an easy season to date - after dramas and a non finish at Anglesey, Snetterton included spills, electrical problems, an engine transplant and a new clutch. Richard Cooper on the Co-Ordit R1 lost drive coming out of The Esses and shot straight into the pit lane for attention, this would dog them for the rest of the race.

By half way point Sweatshop had a 4 lap cushion over their team mates Moores Racing R6 ahead of GBMoto and Team Viking - the stars of the show at Anglesey (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson/John Leigh Pemberton/R6) who had taken a steady start and pushed gradually working their way up to fourth a lap down on class leaders Moores. Following his spill at Anglesey, regular Viking Barry Salmon is currently relying on sticks to get about - meanwhile he was replaced at Snetterton by 53 year old Kent farmer John Leigh-Pemberton who has a healthy Isle of Man career both at the TT and Manx Grand Prix. Co-Ordit re emerged from the garage to tour for a couple of laps prior to returning with lack of drive, after another 35 minutes of tinkering they rejoined the action 47 laps down on the leader.

Throttle Monkeys were in the wars with reliability problems as well as a couple of crashes, after their smooth and successful race at Anglesey, today was not such an easy task. At the five hour mark GBMoto and Sweatshop were on the same lap separated by a mere 42 seconds, the Moores R6 was a distant third ahead of Team Viking and Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) whilst Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Pete Gibson/Andy Jones/R6) pitted with a broken exhaust bracket. Throughout the six hours it was good to see the pace car only make a couple of appearances to enable the ever attentive marshals to recover debris from the track.

With under 30 minutes to run, GBMoto shot into the pits for their last planned stop with Pete Jennings taking over from MSH, they re-emerged onto the start/finish straight with a 5 second lead over Sweatshop Moores R1, ten minutes later John Paul Scott crashed the Sweatshop R1 at The Esses trying to close the gap and had to push the bike in which was taken over by Nick Roake for the final few minutes. At the drop of the chequer GBMoto took their first win of the season, ahead of Sweatshop who had lost four laps in the melee, Moores Racing, Darkside Endurance, Team Viking and the Throttle Monkeys - great racing from a great national series, the next round is at Pembrey on the 21/22 June - be there or miss out.

Spare a thought for Moores Racing Jim Agombar, as well as the 6 hour stuff he is peddling a TZ350 in the classic class, so far netting a win at Anglesey and Lydden as well as a second, also in Kent. The Moores Racing team dedicated their National Supersport win and their ProSuperbike runner up spot to Reg Morgan, a family friend of Mike and Kailah Eglington, who was a fan of Mike's racing and racing in general. The team's thoughts are with wife June and his daughter, Jan.

Results

GBMoto 282 laps *
Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 278 laps
Moores Racing 270 laps *
Darkside Endurance 269 laps
Team Viking 268 laps
Throttle Monkey 72 Racing 257 laps *
Phoenix Endurance 256 laps
Black Flag Racing 249 laps *
Co-Ordit Racing 235 laps *
Best Choice Endurance 228 laps
AMA Racing 170 laps
Ducks Cross Racing 63 laps

* Class winners

Fastest Lap GBMoto 1m 09.761s

And now, a pure + un adulterated 'plug'. Whilst the competitors + teams were enjoying the comfort and hospitality of the Snetterton paddock, Hottrax people including myself were staying nearby in The Corner House, Attleborough. For me this was a real ‘home from home’ and hosts Julie and Rob Holland made our stay most pleasant. Nothing was too much trouble - check them out on www.corner-house-norfol.co.uk or call 01953 454718

HMRC Round One @ Anglesey 19/20 April 2008

MotoGrande - Race 1 - 18 laps

Despite starting from pole, Ian Courts (Suz 600) had to wait until the closing stages of the race to nail the win. For most of the time it was eventual second place Ian Roebuck (Kaw 600) who diced with Honda Hornet mounted Martin Stanier rounding off the top three. Whilst the naked 600 was fastest around the twists and turns it lost out on the short straights. The Kawasaki ZX10R of Phil Muldowney was the first one litre machine home finishing in fourth.

Results
1 Ian Courts* Suz 600
2 Ian Roebuck Kaw 600
3 Martin Stanier Hon 600
4 Phil Muldowney* Kaw 1000
6 Darren Brealey Suz 600
7 Dirk Diggler Hon 600
8 Ed Pashley Tri 675
9 Steve Callahan Suz 750
10 Matt Iddon
11 Rob Knoyle
12 Gary Bransgrove Suz 1000
13 Ben Muldowney
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Ian Courts 1m 14.151s 75.252 mph


MotoGrande - Race 2 - 18 laps

The second encounter was a wet race and it was Martin Stainer (Honda Hornet 600) who shot off into the lead, as the race progressed GBMoto Junior racer Phill Clarke (ZX6R) overhauled the similar machine of Ian Roebuck to chase down Stainer getting his nose ahead at The Banking before easing off to finish second. In third place was the Kawasaki 600 of Clarke's team mate Samantha Godfrey who put in a solid performance, the top six were rounded off by Rob Knoyle, Ed Pashley (Triumph 675) and Aaron Hobart (Yam R6).

Results
1 Martin Stanier* Hon 600
2 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
3 Samantha Godfrey Kaw 600
4 Ed Pashley Tri 675
5 Aaron Hobart Yam 600
6 Rob Knoyle * Suz 1000
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Martin Stanier 1m 26.074s 64.828 mph

Junior TAG Endurance Championship

2007 champion Mark Linscott (Team Trackcraft) was the only rider to break into the 1m 13s during early morning practice to secure pole position.

At the drop of the Welsh flag it was Wild West Wacing (Ross Millar/Rob Devall) who took an early lead ahead of Trackcraft (Linscott/Mike Dickenson) and Gasi Racing (Grant + wife Helen Gaskins, a paramedic). A pattern emerged of Trackcraft and MC Racing (Mark Wadeson/Jason McKinnon) swapping the lead until just after the 30 minute mark when Linscott was bought in for passing under a yellow flag, a punishment administered to MC Racing only minutes later. A brief shower coated the track at the half way stage bringing out the pace car followed by a rash of pit stops. Team RHR (Paul Evans/Robin Hooker) seized the opportunity to establish a one lap lead over Throttle Monkey (Geoff Rhodes/Dion Robinson) and Trackcraft.

In the closing stages of the two hour race, there were five teams on the same lap with Trackcraft lapping 2 seconds a lap quicker than the rest. RHR made the most of pit stops, pace car appearances and traffic to take the win by over a minute from Trackcraft with Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson) and Team Throttle Monkeys. ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley) who were the fist Junior 600 team home in 8th place.

and there's more..............

Team SOBER (Gary Bransgrove/Steve Callahan) - team champions from 2007 - kept the brace of Suzukis out of mischief to finish in 18th place. It is also worth mentioning the amazing Rob Devall - alongside Ross Millar, young Rob finished in a packed field in a very creditable 7th place riding his Suzuki 1000 using only one arm, having lost effective use of the other, the highly spirited rider also crossed the finish line will a stonking wheelie! The unfortunate Scott Adam put his immaculate Aprilia RSV on its side, recovering the bike well to finish 21st in class with team mate Peter Carr.

It was great to see Phoenix Endurance stalwart out on his Manx Grand Prix R6 in the Junior race teamed with RAFman Simon Allen on a sweet sounding Aprilia. Both riders thoroughly enjoyed the race and finished in 16th place in class, ironically Pete was quicker on his older R6 than Shelley Pike's newer model (probably scared of binning the Phoenix Endurance machine).

Another National pilot having a ride around in the Junior race was South African Mike Dickenson paired with the very fast + experienced Mark Linscott landing second place after some dramas - Mike is also part of reigning National Champions outfit of GBMoto - technically he could win the National and Junior Endurance Championships in 2008. Mike's son Craig who had a couple of decent outings last season is having a sabbatical this year focussing on his academic studies prior to going off to Uni in the Autumn.

Spare a thought for Sam Godfrey, during the 2 hour Junior race Sam high sided on the start/finish line, before remounting she took the time to check the Kawasaki out for damage before continuing and finishing fifth in class with Phill Clarke - a class act! Sunday was also a busy day for this pairing, in the MotoGrande encounter, Phill pushed his ZX6R into second spot whilst challenging for the lead in the wet and Sam roared through the field to take the final podium place.

Results
1 Team RHR* 88 laps
2 Team Trackcraft 88 laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too 87 laps
4 Team Throttle Monkey 87 laps
5 Combined Stabilisation 87 laps
6 Co-Ordit Racing 86 laps
7 Wild West Wacing 85 laps
8 ETA Racing* 85 laps
9 Team MIB 84 laps
10 MC Racing 84 laps
11 SMF Racing 83 laps
12 Dos Albaniles 83 laps
13 DNR Motorsport 83 laps
14 RC Racing 83 laps
15 Rawlings Racing 83 laps
16 Black Cat Racing 83 laps
17 Team Monkey Six 83 laps
18 SOBER 82 laps
19 Name With Held 82 laps
20 GBMoto Junior 82 laps
21 Gasi Racing 81 laps
22 Roundall Racing 80 laps
23 Freaks of Nature 79 laps
24 Pirate Racing 79 laps
25 Sorrymate.com Racing 78 laps
26 Advance Bike Shipping 43 laps
27 Radtec Racing 30 laps
28 S and P Racing 9 laps
DQ Spellfame Racing 84 laps
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Team Trackcraft 1m 12.719s 76.734 mph

National + Senior TAG Endurance

Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul-Scott/Yamaha R1) dug deep in Saturday qualifying to grab pole from 2007 Champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Mike Dickenson/Yamaha R1) who struggled with gear selection problems in the windy conditions. Last year's Supersport 600 champs Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar/R6) were third fastest ahead of series newcomers - Throttle Monkey 72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty).

Overnight rain persisted and continued throughout most of the day, after an overnight engine transplant it was GBMoto who took a short lead from Sweatshop Moores who retook the front spot early before the first wave of pit stops at the hour mark. After 90 minutes of racing second place GBMoto pitted with electrical problems, temporarily fixed with a new battery and loosing 7 minutes. Following a tyre change for leaders on the road Sweatshop Moores it was the other Moores Racing 600 that took the lead in front of GBMoto, Throttle Monkey and Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson). Moores Racing was out after Mike Eglington dropped the R6 at the entry to Rocket, rendering the bike unrecoverable. Whilst the pace car was out GBMoto came to sort out the rectifier problem. After two hours Sweatshop Moores were 2 laps ahead of the well ridden Team Viking Honda 600 and track day warriors Throttle Monkey surprised themselves by producing the fastest lap of the day.

At the half way point last years champion Mark Smith Halvorsen fell at the Banking necessitating the pace car to put in another appearance, the rider was shaken but in one piece and the R1 was recovered by team mate Mick Godfrey who returned to the pits to 'make adjustments'. Sweatshop Moores held a 2 lap lead over the mercurial Team Viking, with Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Nigel Slater/Kevin Upstone/R6) and Throttle Monkey another two laps away. For a while Team Viking was in the lead before being reeled in by the larger machine of Sweatshop Moores.

Come three quarter distance the GBMoto went down at Rocket with Mick Godfrey, rider OK but the R1 was now unrideable so it was game over! With an hour to run Sweatshop Moores held a slender lead over Team Viking who were comfortable ahead of Throttle Monkey, Darkside, TCP Racing (Paul Flemans/Craig McMullen/Tim Fergus) and newcomers Team First Form (Paul Robey/Tim Westley/ZX10R). In the closing stages, with 20 minutes to run, the top five teams were all on consecutive laps and as if that wasn't close enough Sweatshop Moores won ahead of Team Viking, on the same lap with Throttle Monkey in a solid third, TCP getting excited completing the penultimate lap via the gravel track secured a well deserved fourth ahead of Darkside, Team First Form, Phoenix Endurance who had a quiet race to finish in seventh.

and there's more..............

The #1 Yamaha R1 is the well proven bike that took the championship for GBMoto, over winter it has been upgraded in the front brake and suspension department, for the race the team used an almost standard unit. The winning Sweatshop Moores Racing Yamaha R1 is a 2008 model which has not been fully developed yet, Tony Jimenez shook the bike down at Mallory - this session being drastically shortened due to bad weather - still more to come then folks?

Phoenix Endurance rider Shaun Finch retired after the 2007 season (gone off to play with Mitsubishi Evo) but he was back at Anglesey to act as crew and lend support. His place has been taken by Andy Jones who spent most of last season being a pain for Phoenix as part of the Kawasaki Newcastle - if you can't beat them - join them!

Team Viking had a brilliant weekend but not without dramas, in Saturday's qualifying Barry Salmon spilt the Honda 600 entering the start/finish straight - he bravely walked back to the pits before his right ankle doubled in size. Barry bravely watched Team Viking dice for the lead from the pitlane - all being well, he will be back at Snetterton in mid May. Latest news is that Barry is having his foot/leg pinned today!

After Macca stepped off his R1 at The Banking, he appeared shaken if not stirred. Sensibly GBMoto sent him off to Bangor hospital for a check up - he was driven away by Sarah Ozanne, who along with Katie Lowe fly over from the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey to support GBMoto and the HMRC - they are fanatical about endurance racing.

Some may have been a little surprised by the speed and placing of Throttle Monkey 72 Racing - not me. I have followed the team's emergence via the Uprite Forum, the launch of the team's website and their presence in the paddock. They are well organised, resourced and have taken to this type of racing extremely well.

Did anyone spot the paintjob on the Moores Racing R6? a tribute to Barry Sheene.........nice one Tony.

Results
1 Sweatshop Moores Racing 2* 244 laps
2 Team Viking* 244 laps
3 Throttle Monkey 72 Racing* 243 laps
4 TCP Racing 241 laps
5 Darkside Endurance 241 laps
6 Team First Form Racing 235 laps
7 Phoenix Endurance 235 laps
8 Black Flag Racing* 234 laps
9 Best Choice 227 laps
10 AMA Racing 217 laps
11 GBMoto 161 laps
12 Moores Racing 77 laps
*Class winner
Fastest Lap Sweatshop Moores Racing 1m 17.384s 72.108 mph