The Waterlooville Motorcycle Club ran the final round of the ACU British Championship Quads of 2022 at the Cusses Gorse track near Salisbury in Wiltshire. The event also incorporated the British Sidecar and Southern Centre Sidecar championship, Twinshock Sidecar support and the final round of the southern centre (MCU) Open Solos.
The track was in great condition with recent changes, additional loops, and some of the track run in reverse. There was regular watering to keep the dust to a manageable level on a day where temperatures were extremely hot, making racing conditions difficult, but all went ahead smoothly.
In the quad races, there was also a battle for the championship title, but the points weren’t as close with Mark McLernon holding a 32-point advantage over Harry Walker.
The first race got underway with an early lead for Mark McLernon going on to take a safe lead, holding on for this first win of the day. Harry Walker held second with Alfie Walker taking a great start to hold third, but from behind the battle was on. Murray Graham fought into second chased by Oli Sansom, but disaster struck for Murray Graham which picked up mechanical issued and dropped back out of the race. Harry Walker fought back to second, just ahead of Oliver Sansom. Despite problems on the opening lap Luke Berlyn blasted into fourth with Zak Orchard just behind.
In race two Oli Sansom took an initial lead from Mark McLernon, with Harry Walker moving into second on the first lap. Mark McLernon knew a win in this race would secure the championship title, so he had a steady race. There was a close battle for the lead with Mark McLernon moving into the lead from Oli Sansom and Harry Walker with Zak Orchard fourth. It was a tough race with Harry Walker struggling with a mechanical problem, which he nursed home, but Oli Sansom wasn’t as fortunate being left track side a few laps from the end of the race. Zak Orchard held a brilliant second from Harry Walker with Zak Beevers fourth.
In the final quad championship race of the season Mark McLernon took the lead and his third win of the day. Harry Walker passed Jack Naylor to hold second, with Zak Orchard fighting through to take third ahead of Chad Beevers. Jack Naylor held fifth.
With eleven of twelve possible race wins Mark McLernon takes the championship title, Harry Walker took second with Oli Sansom taking the third podium place.
Report and Photos by Tracy Thacker