Tuesday June 28, 2016 at 4:09pm
The Championship went to the seaside and a weekend visit to the Coastal Circuit of Anglesey’s Trac Mon. At the close of proceeding this weekend the Competitors will have reached the halfway point of this year’s six round series
Overcast conditions greeted the competitors for the practice session as all the meetings outfits from the Wirral100 Club, FSRA post classic and pre injection along with the British championship outfits took to the circuit.
The session was completed without incident. Issues reported after the session included a handling problem for Crawford and Farrance adjustment to suspension required. A slipping clutch for Riley and Parker, which would be replaced after the qualifying session.
The top three fastest time in free practice being;
Ramsden & Ramsden 1:14.916 an average speed of 74.48
Founds & Walmsley 1:16.062 an average speed of 73.36
Crawford & Farrance 1:16.140 an average speed of 73.28
The sidecar outfit from all the meetings classes headed by the cross of Saint George and the Australian National flag performed a lap of honour in memory of our fallen friends Ian Bell and Dwight Beare who we sadly lost in separate incidents at this year’s recent TT. Team mechanics and supporters line the exit to pit lane and the track marshals left their posts to stand trackside as the outfits past with respectful applause from the watching spectators.
Rain showers before the qualifying session brought tyre choice into question shortly before the sessions designated time slot. Even more so when lunch was called early. Thank fully the showers passed over and the qualifying session took place in a rearranged slot shortly after lunch on a damp but drying circuit
The top three in Qualifying were are follows
Ramsden & Ramsden 1:13.015 an average speed of 76.42
Founds & Walmsley 1:13.784 an average speed of 75.62
Crawford & Farrance 1:14.312 an average speed of 75.08
The race went ahead in dry conditions with Ramsdan and Ramsdan (1:13.015) on pole.
With Founds and Walmsley (1:13.784) followed by Crawford and Farrance (1:14.321) hot on their heels. Ramsden and Ramsden led from the lights with Founds and Walmsley hanging on like a terrier to a rag for the first nine of the twenty lap race. Only coming to an end when a piece of silicon in the fuel filter forced the Founds and Walmsley outfit to retire.
The Lowther brothers made a fast start of the line pulling ahead of Wallis and Belsey and Blackstock and Rosney getting to the first corner in the three battle for position. Blackstock went on to take fourth position in lap two.
Crawford and Farrance, although slightly of the pace of the top pairings continued in a comfortable third position until the motor cried enough and forced there retirement
This left the Ramsdans in a comfortable lead only requiring them to guide the outfit home safely to take the flag.
Battling further down the field included Wallis and Belsey with the Lowthers switching position on more than one occasion. Wallis making a Banzai move on the last lap. The late breaking move would have worked if the track had been another 15 feet wider. With Wallis running wide John Lowther retook the position, much to Jake Lowther amusement.
Dukes and Moralee along with Gibson and Gibson had their own little battle which ran throughout the entire twenty laps. At one point the hard charging Gibson went sideways for safety in a three wheel drift avoiding an excursion onto the damp grass.
Riley and Parker, made an error in time management prior to the race. Forgetting lunch had been called early. Parker miscalculated the amount of available time to change the clutch and wheels. If it was not for the assistance of Mike ‘Superstar’ Aylott and Emily along with the loan of a replacement clutch from Team ARC they would not have made the race at all. Unfortunately they retired after five laps with an overheating motor.
Roy Hanks commented that alterations would be required to his new seat unit before he could take part in anymore track sessions.
Thornton enjoyed the race and commented he will have to push harder tomorrow.
De Mott chased Riley and Parker for 10 laps with handling issues, changes being an ongoing process. ‘We will give it another go tomorrow’
Fastest race laps;
Founds and Walmsley at 1:13.100 and in the cup Blackstock and Rosney at 1:14.460
Sunday’s race was reduced to 16 laps and took place in wet conditions. Thirteen outfits took to the grind and when the lights went out it was Ramsden followed by Crawford with founds tucked into third as they took the first left. These three held position for the following fourteen laps, the only difference being Founds gradually dropping off the pace of the top two and falling behind by 29 seconds.
The race being red flagged after fourteen of the 16 lap race distance. The leading Ramsdens had an unfortunate coming together with Hanks and Perry at the Corkscrew, who were one lap down. This gifted the race win to Crawford and Farrance, with second being taken by Founds and Walmsley, third place being taken by Blackstock and Rosney.
Wallis and Belsey had held onto fourth place for the first laps of the race with Blackstock and Rosney snapping at their heals until they got past on lap. They finished only .6 of a second behind in their second fourth place of the weekend.
Other notable battles were Thornton and Dean, Gibson and Gibson, De Mott and Christie finishing seventh, eighth and ninth respectively.
Fastest race lap
Crawford and Farrance at 1:21.003 and in the Cup Blackstock and Rosney at 1:25.565
Thanks to Anglesey circuit our hosts for the weekend. Wirral100 for there support and a big shout out to all the marshals and medics, we cannot do it without you and grateful thanks to Series Sponsors
The next round will be at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on July 30/31 Report by Derek Donsworth