How did the Hottrax Trio do at the Manx?
2009 seemed like deja vu for me, practice week was littered with bad weather reports and lost sessions leading to frustration in the paddock at not being able to get out there and do the business, especially for newcomer from the Hottrax arena; Grant Wagstaff (Ducks Cross R6).
Serious road racer Mario Costello (Costello Redmond Racing) was entered in no less than three classes and Roundall Racing’s Pete Gibson was back on the island with his R6 in RAF colours after his newcomer debut last year – he was ably assisted by other 2008 newcomer Shelley Pike who would have been taking to the start on Glenclutchery Road had it not been for a crash at Mallory Park in April.
Practice week weather conditions dictated that times and speeds were unnaturally slow, Wag was fastest of our bunch and posted a 108.946 mph lap which was good enough for 5th fastest in the Newcomer’s race. Ducks X Racing rider Wagstaff found out pretty soon on the newcomer’s controlled speed lap that, when frantically rebuilding the bike last week after he was knocked off running the engine in at Snetterton the team missed the twist in the fork yokes. Fortunately the man in yellow and blue was able to get out on his second bike and came back in from his first session with a big grin on his face! Another set of yokes were rapidly packed up on the mainland and sent requiring Royal Mail to track the team down in paddock A (Ducks Cross must be one of the biggest vehicles in the area!) The Carino Flooring supported team had put everything they could think of in the team truck, making it a trifle overweight on the way up the M6, so imagine their surprise when the first thing they needed had been left at home!
Also in practice; Maria must have been a little disappointed with her weather affected times which had her struggling to pin a ton lap in the Ultra Lightweight division. Gibbo was just short of a 105 mph lap in the Junior whilst Wag and Maria were 34th and 37th with their 108 mph practice laps.
Whatever happened during the week preceding race week, little mattered as the read deal got underway on Tuesday afternoon after Bank Holiday Monday’s events had been canned due to bad weather. The three lap Newcomer’s race yield a well deserved 4th place for Wag – less than three seconds away from a place on the podium, a missed gear, badly timed gear change, whatever made a difference at the end of almost 120 racing miles at an average of 102.51. The Newcomer’s battle took place in what had been a hectic half day with four classes running in one race, reduced from four laps down to three.
On the Wednesday we saw a much bigger field take the start of the four lap Junior encounter which saw Maria the fastest of our ‘top trio’ to finish in 17th on an R6 a mere two minutes up the road from the flying Wag in 30th spot. Anglesey resident Pete Gibson finished a creditable 61st on his return to the island out of 81 finishers. With the race winner posting a race average of 116.71 mph, Maria was on the money to do 111.652, Wag going the quickest to date at 108.993, Gibbo a 104.441 (faster than his debut year). The race was full length started on time and was run in good conditions.
With none of our favoured runners venturing out in the classics we had to wait until Friday’s Senior race before they were back in action. The afternoon race was delayed slightly because an earlier incident involving bristles and a dust cart (don't ask) but at the off our intrepid combatants completed the first circuit as follow; Wag 25th and Gibbo 56th. A short rain burst caused some of the racers to call it 'game over' and head for tea and biscuits - not our riders - 2nd circuit posted Wag in 18th and the big G in 50th - penultimate lap had them moving up to 13th and 47th. For the final 37.73 miles both improved their places to 11th and 45th - Grant Wagstaff nailing the third fastest newcomer, well done Wag! Looking forward to seeing the three travellers back on the grid at Silverstone in a couple of week’s time.
Richard Slater RIP - a team mate's tribute
Mark Cooper - Sorrymate.com team-mate writes;
Richard was one of life’s real gentlemen, he always had a smile and a cup of tea for anyone who wandered past his van in the paddock; was quiet, mild mannered and I can honestly say I never heard him say a bad word about anyone and any paddock politics simply passed him by. He was a constant feature of the Oulton, Anglesey and Aintree track day/ testing/racing scene and will be missed by many who knew him in the sport. In particular my thoughts are with Mike his track day buddy who accompanied Richard on most outings over the last seven years and must be deeply sad and shocked. I got to know Richard over the last couple of years and we were becoming good friends as I warmed to his easy going happy outlook and his love of the racing and bikes in general. It was a pleasure to attend track days and test days with him and Fergus and most recently I enjoyed Richard's company as his team mate at the Hottrax Pembrey 6 Hour race and also helping him at Aintree last weekend where he was looking faster and smoother and got his personal best at the circuit in the last race of the day. He had recently joined the Throttlemonkey's forum as rjs and it was good to see the few posts he made since Pembrey.
His Tippex paint job and ginger cake are legendary! Along with his blue leathers hanging on the van door, his goofy grin and dodgy hats! His enthusiasm for you to share a cup of tea with him rivalled that of Mrs Doyle from father Ted! I really can’t believe what has happened and it has shocked us all tremendously. My thoughts go out firstly to his family at this impossible time and to all who knew him.
RIP Richard
UK Endurance Racing - a blast from the past - December 2008
Dave Railton (Ducks Cross’ Jon’s dad) was kind enough to give me some photocopies of race programmes that I had consciously taken to the tip, along with a full tea chest of documents in a similar vein back in the 1980s when moving house. This was a decision I soon regretted and have spent the last five years re-collecting the programmes so hastily parted with, at great expense!
The copies were of race meetings with an endurance racing content, of which Dave had played a big part in during his highly competitive career.
One common link we shared was that on Saturday 1st July 1978 we had both entered the Jeff Brett 200km Production Machine Series Races at Cadwell Park. The whole series was run at three venues and totalled 1000km – 200km at Cadwell, 700km at West Raynham in Norfolk where machines would run with two riders and an end of season sprint race also at WR of 100km. Classes were 175 – 250cc, 251 – 500cc and 501 – 1300cc.
For the Lincolnshire encounter 17 250s entered, all RD Yamahas apart from a lone RG Suzuki and the field included Hilary Musson from nearby Scartho ably supported by husband John. Hilary was the marshall involved in that terrible accident during the 2007 that caused the organisers and authorities to re-examine safety provision on the Island. Local aspiring racer, Colin Pole from Leicester was also part of the quarter litre class. The burgeoning 500cc field consisted of around 30 machines + riders including a 500 Velo, Alan Walsh from Grantham on the latest Jeff Brett 460 four cylinder Honda and Dennis McMillan on a venerable Triumph twin. Also, to be found near the rear of the grid was Alan Lygo of Radcliffe on Trent riding a Black Bomber (450cc Honda twin and it was red). Not without it’s problems the bike had a perennial oil leak from the gear selector, oil level kept low for scrutineering, topped up fro the race and an oily rag hidden behind the fairing to catch the prevailing slick – HMRC’s Bob Covey and Sean would have loved it! Luckily for me and the rest of the field the Honda went sick and it was game over!
In the big bike class our own Dave Railton was #1 and down as riding an 860cc Duke, other runners included Roger Winterburn (of Windy Corner fame), respected journo (Motorcycle Illustrated) Ray Knight who had a distinguished Isle of Man career and settled there on retirement. Hartley Kerner was on an 888 Dresda built by Dave Degans and Roger Moss was on yet another Ducati – Roger being partly responsible for getting me so involved in motorcycle sport back in the early seventies when he campaigned a mercurial two stroke Scott twin which is still being rattled around the circuits in historic racing. Dave remembers finishing in either 8th or 9th with a fastest lap of 62.4s – the track hasn’t changed hugely in layout apart from the silly bus stop before you commit to the Mountain section.
History shows that Colin Pole won the 250 class at Cadwell on an RD Yamaha with local rider Hilary Musson in 10th place, Andy Key took half litre honours on a CH400 and Martin Sentence won the 1300 class on a well prepared Jota.
The second round of the championship with one bike and two riders saw a massive entry of 86 machines and 172 riders! Starting with the big guns (1300 class) Dave as back on the 860 Ducati, Roger Winterburn on a Laverda Mirage shared with Nottingham fast bloke – Arthur Giles, from whom I bought an Yamaha RD200 back in the eighties. Both my sons learned to ride on the RD as it had leccy start and was simple to ride! Arthur is also the father of Phil Giles who took the BSB Privateers Cup two years running and has recently dabbled with international endurance racing – another top Nottingham rider! In the nineties I bought a silver Laverda triple, in full production racing trim from a Nottingham car dealer who needed the cash at the time. He said it was the ex Arthur Giles race bike and came with a couple of photos of the bike in action at West Raynham as well as the enlarged race tank. I put the Laverda back on the road for a couple of seasons before it came to rest in the back of the Lygo garage. A couple of years ago it went on eBay as a non runner and was bought by a restorer from Denmark who gave it the love and attention I couldn’t, I kept in contact with the Dane and the Laverda was sold to a Japanese collector in concours road trim!
Tony Harris from Leicester rode an 850 Le Mans Guzzi and Mick Hemmings (now world famous for Norton production racers) was riding a…….Norton Commando. The 500 class was huge and carried quality in the form of John Hackett on a RD400, Dennis McMillan on a Triumph T100, Manxman later to win the Manx GP Allan Brew who was on an RAF Yam, Dave Kirby who went on to build very effective racing frames on a Honda 400. Alan Walsh was teamed up with Roger Bowler (I am sure he went on into international endurance racing later on). In the less populated 250 class John and Hilary Musson shared an RD250. The race programme carried the results from the previous four years – characters you may know that finished in the top six in their class included George Fogarty (twice on 500 two stroke Suzuki), Lester Harris, of Harris Performance on a 250 Yam, Chris Revett (we still charge down the Revett Straight at Snett) and Malcolm Wheeler – experienced journeyman and now Editor of Classic Racing magazine.
That was the seventies; Dave R also furnished me with the classified results for the BFRC Castrol/Metzler 4 hour race for 1983 and 1984 at West Raynham. For 1983 and West Raynham played host to a British Formula Racing Club event with 60 entries with 56 making the grid and only 36 finishers after 4 hours of action. Dave R was in second place on a 1062 Honda shared with Derek Bates – they finished less than a minute behind the winners – Ian Wilson/Brian Goodall/1089 Kawasaki. The top six were all Jap four stroke multis and then the next twenty crews were all two stroke screamers apart from a Honda 900. Notables amongst the runners were Eamonn Cleere who went off into the equivalent of WEC, Neil Haslam from Derbyshire – not related to Ron/Leon but now runs NCT Supersport Racing 600 team at national level, Graham Harker on a Triumph Cub (finished 32nd), a certain Martin Agombar (any relation Jim?) and last finisher was one Mark Linscott (obviously still in short trousers) who peddled a 250 Yam with Mark Heywood. Of the non finishers we have Ken Irons who went onto stardom prior to an untimely death, Ricky McMillan (father ran Honda racing for a while), Alan Walsh (from Grantham who’s son still races at historic level), John Hackett – yes of JHP fame, Stuart Noon, Ray Knight and Norfolk’s Greg Page (anyone remember the Blue Boot Nortons or Iceni Hondas?).
A year later the entry was again 60 machines (probably the maximum grid allowed by the ACU) with 55 coming under starters orders – Dave Railton took the top step of the podium with Derrick Bates on a 1062 Honda just 31 seconds ahead of a chasing 900 Kawasaki. Grant Goodings was fourth, a rider who fairly recently excelled at Oliver’s Mount, a role taken over now by son, Mick. Dave Hill and Les Burgan were fifth on their 989 Cheylesmore BMW – a bike which used to regularly embarrass more powerful sports machines at Superbike level in the UK. Barry Utting was 20th on a 250 Yam – Baz can still be seen around the classic and historic scene racing a similar machine. Also on an RD250 was Leicestershire ace Andy Muggleton – one of several riders to live within earshot of Mallory Park and who won at national level on a regular basis. The Mussons were 43rd on a 250 Yam, one place ahead of the Tiger Cub
That’s the sort of memory invoked in me by merely reading old race programmes – don’t do a Lygo and chuck them out when you move house, they deserve a better resting place.
JIM STOCK'S STOLEN STOCK
Not sure if you guys/girls are aware of this, but Jim from Slingshot Racing was burgled over the weekend (thought to be Saturday 22nd November 2008 @ 0300 in the morning)
Jim says – “Yes its true, thanks for all the people that have wished us well and the thoughts of support Cheers”
WHAT WAS STOLEN?
Suzuki GSXR 1000k6 Vivaldi Superbike. Motec M880, ADL Sportdash,Ohlins FG670 Fluted gas forks,Brembo monoblocs,Fabtech S/Arm,Fabtech seat sub,Carbon Bodywork,16.5" 5 spoke Dymags,Full Yoshi etc etc
Kawasaki 2006/7 ZX10 Superbike, Ex Nick Medd, White,Green,Black.Motec M800,Aim top spec Logger MXL Dash,WP Superbike forks, Brembo monoblocs,Full Ti Akropovic,Big rad,Harris S/arm,16.5" 5 Spoke Green Dymags,Brembo discs,Ti bolts,Carbon airbox
Kawaski ZX10 2005 Ex Nick Medd ,full Ti Akropovic,Big Febur rad,Harris S/Arm, 16.5" 3 spoke Green Dymags, Brembo discs,Carbon air box,Immaculate v v quick
Honda RS250 1995 Ex Alastair Baily ,Silver and blue, 1998 Thro tank bodywork,good condition, std exhausts . a good one
Honda CBR600RR 2003, Genuine Padgetts bodywork,Penske shock, full Arrow system, Power commander,Sigma slipper, plus all the usual,rearsets 520 etc etc
Honda CBR600RR 2004, Mint bike,race can, Red white black paint work,Moto GP Trick looking tail unit, Bright Gold rearsets,Braided line etc etc
Honda CBR600RR 2003, Black and red with Redfurn in graphics on it, Std shock, rearsets,line full system etc etc Sprint damper...
Honda CBR600 Sport 2001/2, Ohlins shock, red tank,black bodywork, HRC Kit loom ,ign, clocks, full system,rearsets etc etc
Also some 16.5" Green DYMAGS, OZ Black 17" new GSXR Rims, CBr600rr frame and still looking............
Any info much appreciated, please bare in mind they may well be stripped for parts,
All but two are on my web site with big detailed pics if you double click. http://www.slingshotracing.co.uk
Thanks again everyone, If you could paste this around please do. Here’s hoping the biking community can help - Jim 07980 749925
The Ex Alfonso Lygo's Soozook 1000 K2 was not stolen
Remember Roger Bennett?
I recently attended a GT test at Donington Park and bumped into Roger who has been an endurance racing stalwart as recent as last season where he rode for GBMoto at Knockhill and Snetterton. A top all rounder, I remember much of his successful career which revolved around British Superbikes, Macau, Knockhill and latterly the UK endurance scene. In his career spanning 26 seasons Roger appeared on the top step of the podium no less than 117 times from 550 races - beat that!
The genial Northerner is now managing a leading British GT team and is currently contesting the national championship – hopefully Roger is able transfer some of his two wheel skills into this discipline.
The team campaigns a rapid Ferrari 430 GT3 with driver pairing, gentleman pilot from Northern Ireland; Hector Lester and seasoned campaigner Allan Simonsen who races anything he can get his hands on with great effect including Australian GTs, Tasmanian Rally Cars and Le Mans.
The team have finished seventh in their class this season in a highly competitive arena and I am sure some of the qualities RB has developed as a team manager come from his motorcycle endurance racing days.
http://www.christiansinmotorsport.org.uk/
Hottrax Hotheads at Thundersport GB Finals at Donnington 18 Oct 2008
Jenny fixes the 600
A week on from the final HMRC encounter at Silverstone and a few of our fraternity were ending the season by contesting the Thundersport GB Finals at Donington on Saturday 18th October 2008 and Race of the Year at nearby Mallory on the Sunday.
Jenny Tinmouth struggled with the clutch on her 600 Honda at Donno in morning practice but put it all together to nail a pair of third spots in the rapid 600 class in the afternoon that saw the likes of Gary May at the sharp end of the action.
Kasey Wyatt is slowly getting to grips with moving from Superteens to GP125 on a recently acquired Honda RS, having only a couple of track days under his belt. K dealt himself in well in practice and the weekend produced a competitive tenth place and a minor contact with the tarmac.
Leicester’s Co-Ordit was well represented and Phil Bevan was faster than team principle Pete Bradshaw (both top HMRC runners) with fourth and fourteenth places between them and young Sam Middlemass on an R6 was well placed in the 600s.
A couple of guys from Guernsey in the Channel Isles were over on the mainland for the racing and Phil Guillou peddled his immaculate TZ250 to fifth place (long way to come for a 20 minute race!) , whilst Bernie Price manhandled his unforgiving naked Suzuki 1100 street fighter device into a tenth and a thirteenth place.
Lindsay + Fraser were in command for the day and soon had the erratic racers behaving themselves!
KC and the Sunshine Band
