As morning broke the track was covered in mist, resulting in a very damp session. The outfits had to change to wets as the rain came down before free practice. The rain stopped before the teams were due on track so the session should have got drier the more time passed however, this wasn't the case as there was plenty of spray coming out of the rear of the bikes. Crawford/Lawrence went and put a 58.861 nearly a second quicker than anyone else with Ellis/Clement 0.937 behind them. Schofield/Smith used the session to the best of their advantage by putting a massive 15 laps in trying to get as much track time as possible.
Qualifying
The bikes got out on track and started to put the laps in. Times were under 1 min a lap from the very start showing how hard the teams were pushing. Saunders/Stell pull up on the side of the track at Hislops with an issue which puts an end to their qualifying. Lockey/Binns were not out on track which means they didnt put a time in. Baker/Dawkins were making moves like it was race 1, it looked superb and had the whole crowd cheering. Crawford/Lawrence came out on top with a 57.333 with the other two outfits only 0.867 behind them.
Race 1
Three outfits didn't make the start of race 1 due to mechanical issues - these were Moore/Annan, Saunders/Stell and Kershaw/Clark. The race got underway then was red flagged after a couple of laps due to an issue from Saunders/Cooke which saw them pull to the side of the track, both were fine but where they stopped it was in a dangerous position to the track.
The race was re-started and Ellis/Clement got the jump on Crawford/Lawrence putting them up front. Two laps later Crawford/Lawrence returned the favour and made the move back putting them back in the top spot. Schofield/Smith take Baker/Dawkins, moving them up to 3rd in the Cup. Yet again Baker/Dawkins was on the move and took the spot back from Schofield/Smith. Ramsden/Ramsden finally got past Clarke/Johnson to take 3rd overall. Lap 6 saw Fenwick/Knapton pass Saunders/Stokoe to move them up the grid. Ramsden/Ramsden went deep into Taylors Hairpin which saw Clarke/Johnson take avoiding action resulting in an undercut and the drive out of the hairpin saw them take the position. Crawford/Lawrence take the win from Ellis/Clement followed in third by Clarke/Johnson. Cup class saw Clarke/Johnson take the win from Saunders/Stokoe and a firm fan favourite (and loved all around the paddock) Tony Baker gets himself and Tom Dawkins on to the 3rd step of the podium, this also went with a great cheer from everyone that was there. Sunday
Warm Up
The teams entered the track to get warmed up for the second race of the weekend. The track was dry so no impeding conditions for the final warm up and race of the season. All eyes are on track times and the final battles for 3rd place. Schofield/Smith stayed out there as long as possible to get the valuable track time as they battled for 3rd in Championship with Saunders/Cooke. Crawford/Lawrence put in the fastest lap of warm up with a 54.118 yet again there was only 1.169 separating the top 4.
Race 2
Lap 1 saw Ellis/Clement being chased by Crawford/Lawrence into Taylors with a puff of smoke coming from the back tyre of Crawford/Lawrence showing how hard he was pushing. Fenwick/Knapton dove up the inside of Saunders/Stokoe with a great move into Taylors. Schofield/Smith were hot on the heels of Saunders/Cooke whilst Baker/Dawkins were on the rear of them. Thomas/Sigsworth, Saunders/Stell and Moore/Annan were all within 0.5 of a second pushing each other as hard as possible. Crawford/Lawrence got past Ellis/Clement, so Ellis tried a different line around Taylors Hairpin to get a better run out. Midway through the race Ramsden/Ramsden, Kershaw/Clark and Clarke/Johnson are now front to rear trying their best to pass one another. Schofield/Smith got past Saunders/Cooke putting them in prime position for 3rd place in the cup. Crawford/Lawrence along with Ellis/Clement pulled a massive gap from the chasing 3 of Ramsden/Ramsden Kershaw/Clark and Clarke/Johnson. Saunders/Cooke managed to get back past Schofield/Smith putting them in a good position for 3rd in championship. Morphet/Ryder were hunting down Baker/Dawkins, closing the time to them lap-by-lap. Moore/Annan, Thomas/Sigsworth and Saunders/Stell were still nose to tail as they had been all race. Schofield/Smith made a great move down the inside of Saunders/Stokoe, taking 2nd in the race. Schofield/Smith lose out to Saunders/Stokoe and Saunders Cooke on lap 14 as the front runners come to lap them. As Crawford/Lawrence lap them Schofield/Smith make an awesome move and follow them through Taylors Hairpin and drive away taking 2nd in the race. There was a red flag called and that saw the end of the race called.
On behalf of the F.S.R.A., I would like to express thanks to our loyal series sponsors, Hegarty Plant Ltd; Pagid Racing (Breitenbach Rennsport); Whitby cottages; Freight Hub and Tingles of Warmfield, they continue their long partnerships with the F.S.R.A on board for the coming season, and thank them for investing in the championship.
Finally, the F.S.R.A. would like to thank Knockhill Circuit for hosting, and to all their dedicated officials, marshals, medics and all the other volunteers involved in running the event.
Words – Brian Ross (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Simon Heath