The Halstead Club hosted the fifth round of the ACU British Sidecarcross championships of 2022 at the Wakes Colne track in Essex.
The track was in great condition with many changes since the sidecars last raced there with longer straights following on from the start and removal of the whoops. There was regular watering to keep the dust to a manageable level on what was one of the hottest days of the year.
With all the previous rounds seeing very closely fought battles for the championship lead, it was always going to be exciting, and this time was no exception. Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard were both carrying injuries after a big crash at the last GP, in their words, this week was a “Damage limitation Weekend”. They started the day holding the red plate, and battled hard in all three races, but it was Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain who took the three wins and hold a four-point advantage at the end of a great day of racing.
Racing got underway with an early lead for Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain, holding the lead throughout and going on to take their first great win. Behind Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard tucked into second chasing hard and taking second. Neil Campbell / Ross Graham had a great start battling with Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray round the first few bends, but it was Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray who took the advantage and a safe third place, with Neil Campbell / Ross Graham fourth. Behind Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson were fighting for firth with Michael Hodges/ Jack Wilkinson but picked up a rear wheel puncture, they tried to continue, but the wheel came off the rim leaving them track side. Michael Hodges/ Jack Wilkinson took fifth just ahead of Paul Pelling/ Michael Curnow.
In Race two it was Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard who took the holeshot. Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson and Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray battle for second with Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain just behind, within the first few laps Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray took second with Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain chasing, but it was all to change at the front when Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard overshot the corner and their rivals blasted up the inside. Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain now saw their chance and fought past to take the lead and another win. Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard were now determined to gain back as many points as possible, at this stage every point counts, and fought hard in the hot temperature to take second from Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray. Behind, Michael Hodges / Jack Wilkinson battled hard to take fourth with Neil Campbell / Ross Graham a few bends back battling with Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson for fifth place.
In the last championship race of the day Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard still held a one-point championship advantage at the start of the race and were determined to keep it that way, but it was Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain who took the hole shot from Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray with Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard third, but it was very close at the front. Stuart Brown / Josh Chamberlain held on for a third win, with Brett Wilkinson / Joe Millard tucking into second d and chasing hard, but they suffered mechanical problems with just three laps remaining, with noises coming from the front end, they slowed to safe pace, but that left Gary Moulds / Lewis Gray through to second, they held third. Michael Hodges / Jack Wilkinson stayed close taking fourth with Tony Graeme / Ryan Henderson just behind. Neil Campbell / Ross Graham and Paul Pelling / Mike Curnow battled for sixth.
At the end of another eventful day Wilkinson / Millard lost their red plate and now current champions Brown / Chamberlain hold a four-point advantage going into the final round. Moulds / Gray hold into third in the championship. Hodges / Wilkinson took fourth overall on the day and hold fourth in the championship. With Foden / Cooper, Kinge / Phelps and Jake Brown/ Paul Horton not racing in this round it was a shuffle of championship positions in the top 10. Paul Pelling/ Michael Curnow won the expert class on the day, and move up to fifth place in the championship, a brilliant achievement. Neil Campbell/ Ross Graham are just eleven points behind holding sixth.
Don’t miss round the final round next month on 14 August at Cusses Gorse near Salisbury where the battle to become 2022 champion will be settled. It is the final round of the Southern Centre Championship and a British Championship double header with sidecars and quads, it is one event not to miss.