You can never guarantee what sort of weather you are going to get at Anglesey, but one thing you can be 100% sure of is that the 1.55 mile coastal circuit with its banked corners, high speed sections, sweeping turns and the infamous Corkscrew gives great racing.
The season got off to a start that encompassed four seasons in the two days of 18th & 19th March from driving sea mist, rain, and bitterly cold wind to brilliant sunshine. Despite all of that, there were some cracking races and notable personal performances from a number of riders who are going to entertain the Club all season long.
Getting his title fight off to a flying start was Adrian Kershaw on his Priest Bikepaint Kawasaki setting pole in qualifying, and converting it into two dominant victories in the Carl Roberts / Emjess Racing Powerbike class. A great duel for the remaining rostrum positions in race 1 was had with Richard Wilson securing 2nd and former champion John Robb 3rd in class with 3-time Anglesey Grand winner Tim Poole taking the win in the Pre 2012 sub-class. The 2nd race for the ‘big’ bikes saw a phenomenal ride from Northwich rider Paul Sommerville, pacing his race perfectly and powering his Original Bodyshop Yamaha into second position ahead of Bishops Castle road racer Barry Furber. Tim Poole once again placed 1st in the sub class.
A strong grid of sidecars saw many using the meeting as valuable track time and testing. Impressive performances were had from Founds and Lowther, Blackstock and Rosney and Hauxwell and Taylor in the first race. Race 2 saw Hauxwell and Taylor running away at the front with Markland and Rigby finishing in second place and Morphet and Reilly third.
Club debutant Calum Beach, a local Welsh lad from Abergele who competed last year in the HEL British Junior Supersport Championship continued his strong finish to the 2022 season when he pulled a commendable gap to take victory from mountain course veteran Dave Hewson in race 1 of the Twins class. Results were reversed in the second race with the stalwart Hewson on board his Obsession Engineering Aprilia taking the top spot. Mark Evans (ride only), Irish man Tom Greenwood and Robert Williams were the next fastest, all putting in great rides.
In the RacesparesUK Golden Era Supersport class, Manxman and TT newcomer Paul Cassidy on board his Island Fuels Honda gained successive dominant victories. There was a 2nd and 3rd a piece for James Leatham and Mark Pattinson and 2022 champion Tim Bradley secured 2 4th place finishes.
Ted Wilkinson’s near perfect start to the season came to a grinding halt when he crashed out of first on lap 5 leaving Iwan Jones to dominate both 100-500cc Allcomers races. Good rides were had from rising talents Calum Beach and Alfie Davidson both securing rostrum positions in both races.
In the classes designed for older bikes, Joe Yeardsley on his first outing of the Mistral Racing 750 Kawasaki triumphed fellow countryman Cassidy in race 1 with Mark Pattinson on his 600 Yamaha securing 3rd place. Cassidy clinched 1st place in race 2 finishing eight seconds clear of top pursuer Mark Pattinson. Wayne Pudge put in a creditable performance in both races to secure a 4th and 3rd place finish. A worthy mention must also go to Jason Breakey who put in a determined and impressive performance to secure a 4th and a 5th. Both Pudge and Breakey are ones to watch as the season unfolds.
In the Dale and Labdon Forgotten Era races another club debutant, Roy Wrest from Ireland on board his Kawasaki 400 had things pretty much all his own way with a double win followed home on both occasions by David Evans.
It was a perfect start to the season for reigning champion Baz Dimelow, with the AJC Construction Kawasaki pilot qualifying on pole and taking maximum points in the AS Racing supported 600 class. Paul Gibbs on his 600 Kawasaki, John Marsh on his 600 Honda and Osian Jones on his 636 Kawasaki were amongst the battles for second and third. Gibbs took two podiums, Jones an excellent second in race 2 and Marsh top spot on both occasions in the pre class.
The next meeting fast approaches
The W100’s next race meeting will be at Oulton Park on Saturday 15th April, when it will be catering for all its usual classes, as well as hosting a round of the FSRA Pre-injection Sidecar championship. This meeting will also feature the David Swallow Memorial Race for classic machines, and specially featuring 500cc single-cylinder machines.
Other Wirral Witterings
- CTC & BRA – a number of new riders satisfactorily completed our course / riding assessments. Big thanks to all those who helped, either in the classroom or out on track. We look forward to seeing those intending to make their debuts at our Oulton meeting.
- Man of the meeting goes to Arran Hands for his kind gesture of offering the use of his race bike when a participant undertaking the BRA course couldn’t get his motorcycle to start. Thanks Arran.
- Best Debut goes to Debbie Jones for her invaluable support and friendly welcome in the Race Office over the two days. Thanks Debbie
- Finally, a get well soon message to those who were injured during the two-day event. We hope to have you back soon.