The third International Sidecar revival at Cadwell Park was held over the first weekend of August, at which the F.S.R.A. / Wintec Pre-Injection Sidecar Championship hosted their fourth round, the first time that the series has been invited to this event.
In the F2 class Rob Fisher / Sarah Stokoe (600 Baker Thundercat) showed all their ability and preparation to be of the best standard, dominating all four of the weekend races taking outright wins in each outing. In the F1 class, it was a mixed weekend for the series leaders Simon Horton / Jordan Forrest (Wintec GSXR1100 Suzuki), which died after Saturday's second race just after crossing the finish line, ultimately ruling them out of Sunday's action – dissapointment for this pair after taking both class wins on the opening day.
In Saturday's opening race, following Fisher / Stokoe over the line in the F2 race were the series novices, brothers James & Liam Saunders (600 Ireson Yamaha), with Wes Pettman / Rian Saunders (600 Windle Yamaha) third. In the F1 class following Horton / Forrest was team-mates Martin Best / Maverick Davies (1100 Wintec Suzuki). Third place went to returnee to racing Gary Fairhurst / Rob Child (1000 Derbyshire Suzuki), borrowed from Pat Gallagher.
Race two on Saturday saw an end to the dry conditions, with occasional rain and a damp circuit prevailing for the remainder of the weekend. Again in the F2 class, Fisher / Stokoe eased to the win, but the conditions ended the Saunders challenge with a minor incident at The Hairpin. Pettman / Saunders took second, with Gerald Hodgson / Tom Dawkins (600 Shelbourne Honda) third. The F1 class saw Horton / Forrest take their second victory, this time with Dave Tibbles / Raich Greenwood (1100 DDR Yamaha) taking second, with Best / Davies third.
Sunday was a day of mixed weather conditions, making tyre choices difficult. Most teams chose full wets, which was the correct decision in race one. In the F2 class, Fisher / Stokoe continued their winning run, but there was a great ride for second by Bob Dawson / Sarah Hulme (600 Derbyshire Yamaha) on slicks. The Saunders brothers took third, having had to make overnight cosmetic repairs to their somewhat battered fairing! The F1 class with Horton / Forrest missing resulted in a battle for first between Best / Davies and Tibbles / Greenwood. Eventually on the last lap, Best / Davies took the advantage, with Tibbles / Greenwood second. Newcomers John Stephenson / Reg Gilroy (1100 Jacobs Suzuki) third.
It was undoubtedly wet for race two on Sunday – the final outing of the weekend. In the F2 class the Saunders brothers were now getting to grips with the condtions, taking the runners up slot behind Fisher / Stokoe. In third, making their debut in the championship were the guest novice team Andrew Bingham / Josh Scofield (600 Ireson Yamaha). The F1 class saw Tibbles / Greenwood take a win to move them within ten points of the championship leaders. Best / Davies were second, with third place going to Steve Alexander / Amanda Mason (1100 Broadstock Yamaha). Full results are on the TSL web site.
For the first time guest teams were invited to race in the Pre-Injection Championship races, hopefully this helps new teams to experience track time alongside similar machinery, and to encouraged them to join us in the future. Well done to Andrew Bingham / Steven Cox for joining in on his front exit Komnic Ford outfit, and to all other teams for putting on some close and unpredictible racing.
Words – Dave Tibbles
Photographs – Dave Goy