While 2021 has seen the restoration of some semblance of normality following the events of last year, “Covid” still continues to cast its unwelcome presence, causing uncertainty and disruption in all elements of life. This event at Mallory Park was initially set to be the fifth round of the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship, but as things stand, this is now just the third meeting of this year's series, with a postponement of the Knockhill round until September, and the cancellation of Anglesey last month.
There has now been a two month break since the last championship round, which served up some first class racing with a full entry on both the Super and F2 Cup grids at Donington Park.
Team A.R.C.'s Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie (LCR Suzuki) continued their unbeaten start to the season, taking pole, two wins and a new lap record in the Super F2 Class. They currently head the championship by twenty eight points from Sean Hegarty / James Neave – however while the latter pairing have submitted an entry, their attendance is doubtful as they have reportedly sold their F2 machine. They had been in fine form with two runners-up placings at the season-opener at Brands Hatch, followed up with a brace of third places at Donington. Occupying third in the standings currently are the father and son pairing of Steve & Matty Ramsden (LCR Honda), who hold a slender three point advantage over Gary Horspole / Kenny Cole (Shelbourne Honda), with a mere twenty points separating the fourth to fourteenth placed teams in the standings.
Additionally, four time British Champions Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda); Alan Founds / Jake Lowther (LCR Yamaha); Conrad Harrison / Andy Winkle (Bellas Honda) and John Lowther / Matthew Rostron (LCR Yamaha) – to name but four crews – are all serious contenders for the Super F2 podium, and will be looking to claw their way up the championship leaderboard.
The F2 Cup is already shaping up to be a fascinating battle as the season progresses. Consistency has seen Brian Ilaria / Matthew Sims (DDM Suzuki) ease out a four point lead over Roger & Bradley Stockton (LCR Suzuki) – the latter pair taking a trio of third place finishes in their most recent races, whilst a further four points back are Shaun & Ben Chandler (Baker Honda).
The dominant force at Donington Park in the Cup was Harry Payne, with stand-in passenger Emmanuelle Clement (GP Yamaha). They took maximum points with two class wins and a new F2 Cup lap record, along with an impressive second place in the overall standings in race two. The 2019 F2 Cup runners-up Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Suzuki) took both runners-up placings at Donington, and they too will be vying for podium places once again.
Mallory Park always serves up some top class sidecar racing across the board, regularly proving to have unpredictible results, and is often a race of attrition for both competitors and machinery. On the most recent visit for the series, back in September 2019, there was a dominant win for Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie in race one. However, torrential rain prior to the second outing saw this pair aquaplane off the road at The Hairpin in spectacular style on the opening lap. The re-start saw a popular maiden series win for John Lowther / Tom Christie. Meanwhile, the F2 Cup wins were shared by the championship winners Simon Robinson / Mick Fairhurst, and runners-up Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton.
The F.S.R.A. would, as always like to acknowledge the A.C.U. for their assistance and awarding the official “British Championship” title. Thanks also to our series sponsors: A.R.C. (Binchester / Newton Aycliffe); A.V. Craine & Son; Hegarty Plant Ltd; Leeds Parcel Company; Lockside Engineering; Pagid Racing (Breitenbach Rennsport); Rowtec Engineering Maintenance; and Whitby Cottages.
Finally, the F.S.R.A. would like to thank E.M.R.A. / Real Motorsport Ltd for hosting us this weekend, and to all their dedicated staff, officials, marshals, medics and all the other volunteers involved in organising and conducting the event.
The next round of the championship is scheduled for the weekend of the 7th and 8th August at Cadwell Park, for the “International Sidecar Revival”. In the meantime, please keep up to date with F.S.R.A. news, including race reports and up to date championship points on the website – www.fsra.org.uk
Words - Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer)
Photographs – Dirk Wharton