The Clubman’s Championship was an eventful day which produced the final qualifiers for the British Masters in the 500cc solo and 1000cc sidecar classes.
The venue for last year’s British final at Gawsworth was the scene for 2016 Clubman’s, a circuit now much appreciated by riders with its undulating & banked corners and a bumper crowd even though it was an overcast weather kind of day until a light shower appeared before the finals! Before racing began a minuets silence was observed to remember former CGTC Chairman Phillip Winters's daughter Susie and Jason Newitts father John who had both passed away in the week preceding the meeting.
In the Solos riders had 5 point scoring rides to determine the qualifiers, with the top 8 going into the final. After all the heats riders had been taking points off each other but Charley Powell had taken 41 out of a possible 45 points and lead the meeting, the following 4 riders were only separated by 4 points so the final was always going to be a tight one. Unfortunately Tim Nobes had blown a motor in his previous ride so it was the top 7 into the final. Callum Walker made a great start and passed Millichap and Powell on the first corner but as he entered the pits corner he spun out and fell causing the race to be re-run with his exclusion. The re-run saw Powell take an early lead and pull away, Whitaker followed him home but the race behind saw CGTC Chairman Dan Winterton getting the drive from the last corner to take a 1/2 a wheel width 3rd place finish from Millichap.
The sidecars had points from their first 4 rides added to the semi-final score to produce the top 10 qualifiers, Straight finals followed and it was Rob & Billy Winterburn who went the whole day unbeaten, he'll be good shout for a podium position at the Masters, 2nd was Neal Owen / Jason Farewell on their beautifully sounding Godden Special who seem to revel in track conditions, and 3rd was Trevor Heath / Kieron Bonner. The other qualifiers in finishing order were Matt Fumarola, Joe Mogg, Will Offen, Paul Johnson, Peter Lloyd, Tom Cossar, Gareth Tregilgas, the 2 reserves will be Simon Heal and Gary Shearer
Two support classes were also run and it was Rob Bradley who won the 250cc class even after falling off in his last ride he managed to collect enough points after remounting to win the class, 2nd was Tim Greig with Ben Worrell 3rd. In the Quad class Josh Tanner took the win, Colin Jackson went all day unbeaten until the final when his engine seized on the last bend, he managed to push it home for 2nd with the ever catching Lee Hakin 3rd.
The Club would like to thank all the riders who made the journey to Cheshire and hope they will return again soon.
Presentation Photos courtesy of Ed Roper, and race photos courtesy of Lee Anthony Photography
The results from the Clubmans Championship will also form the qualification process for the ACU British Masters later in the summer on Sunday 14
th August, where the top 8 solos and top 10 Sidecar crews will join the line-up of Seeded riders and Wild Cards for the event.
Solo Results Position Drive Name
1
Charley Powell
2
Andrew Whittaker
3
Daniel Winterton
4
Ben Millichip
5
Gareth Hickmott
6
Mark Taylor
7
Tom Nobes
8
Callum Walker
9
Scott Cresswell
10
Jamie Fenn Smith
11
Jason Newitt
12
Paul Whitelam Jnr
13
Matt Saul
14
Max Brown
Sidecar Results
Position
Drive Name
Passenger name
1
Rod Winterburn
Billy Winterburn
2
Neil Owen
Jason Farwell
3
Trevor Heath
Kieron Bonner
4
Matt Fumarola
Gaz Williams
5
Joe Mogg
Jake Cutler
6
Will Offen
Jordan Smith
7
Paul Johnson
Bradley Steer
8
Peter Lloyd
Terry Madley
9
Tom Cossar
Dan Crawford
10
Gareth Tregilgas
James Laurie
11
Simon Heal
Rowland Broomfield
12
Gary Shearer
Sam Bond
13
Tom Marvell
Jon Miller
13
Pete Shaw
Michael Chittenden
15
Simon Beaney
Gareth Bemister