And so to Castle Combe. Hmmm. In drying conditions, most riders went out on wet tyres for qualifying. Several pulled in with grip problems, some suspecting a rear puncture. But as a dry line became rapidly apparent, this explained the handling difficulties.
Qualifying didn’t go the usual way at all. Ant Hodson claimed pole in drying conditions. Dave Hampton was second, Darrell Higgins third and Adrian Martin fourth. Surprised? We certain-ly were. Phil Atkinson, John Lewis, Daniel Jackson and Rich Grinling filled the second row. So a real mixed bag for the race. Altogether there were 21 riders on the grid, including four 125’s. Well done to all.
And off to the races we went. Hodson started well but rapidly fell by the wayside on lap one with a broken piston ring. Atkin-son swung into the lead with two consecutive fastest laps. Jackson came from seventh on the grid to second place by lap two and hung on in there.
Thomas Lawlor claimed third and stayed there until taken by taken by Dave Hampton on the penultimate lap. Higgins held a fairly lonely fifth place for the entire race. Grinling promoted himself from seventh on lap one to sixth by lap two and stayed there until the finish.
Further down the field, John Lewis came into seventh and stayed there until pipped on the final lap by an improving Dan Cooper. Simon Hunt came steadily through the field from 14th on lap one to claim a deserved ninth spot. An eventful race, especially for Hodson!
NG Cup-wise, Henry Cox eased home a place ahead of Tom Snow. John Hogg and Tony Russell were separated by Phil Gillou, a 250 ACU rider.
So, onwards to Sunday. The weather was warm, bright and sunny, though a bit breezy! Hodson managed to repair his engine and took his spot on pole. His start wasn’t so good and he slipped back to third but reclaimed second by lap two. In the meantime, Atkinson took full advantage and flew into first place. Hodson wasn’t having any of this though and muscled his way into first on lap five.
The two of them battled it out until Atkinson came through during the final lap to grab the 25 points. Things were changing back down the field too, with Jackson coming through to third on lap 3, displacing Higgins, who eventually finished seventh. Hampton improved from sixth to fourth, shoving Grinling down to finish fifth. Lawlor improved to sixth by chequered flag.
Lawlor, Simon Hunt, John Lewis. Adrian Martin and Arnie Shelton had a fine old time, the quintet swapping places lap after lap until it was all decided in Lawlor’s favour, with Shel-ton on a 125 behind him. Stephanie Waddelow, also on a 125 came home in front of Hunt with 125 mounted Jamie Edwards in front of Martin.
In the NG Cup, Henry Cox continued his winning ways, moving steadily up the field until lap 7 when he lost a single place. John Hogg stitched up and down the field, eventually coming home behind Cox.
Where do we go to next then? Oh, yes. Anglesey, for a slightly more crowded day. Or two.