We arrived at the beautiful island, off the north Welsh coast, to be greeted with warm sunshine on Thursday afternoon.
Friday test day was also dry and bright, but as the day drew to close, the skies grew darker, and the wind grew stronger. With awnings and gazebo’s taking off, the conditions continued to deteriorate… Welcome to storm Betty!
Saturday morning and everyone was looking bleary eyed, due to the lack of sleep, but sadly storm Betty continued, with strong gusty winds. It was decided that we would not be able to start racing on safety grounds and race control would continuously monitor the situation and give us regular updates, with a view to start proceedings, just as soon as it was safe to do so!
The wind continued, but in the afternoon, there was some action on circuit… but not of the racing kind. Richard Hewitt had agreed, that if the members of the paddock could raise £200. Then he would run the full length of the circuit in a Pink mankini for the Racing in Pink charity (racers against cancer). Within ten minutes, there was over £200 in the bucket, so we gathered along the pit wall to cheer him on!
Well done, Rich, a lovely gesture for a great charity (although, we really didn’t need to see you in a mankini!!... again!!!).
If anyone would like to donate to the Racing in Pink charity, they have a stand here this weekend in the FPR paddock and will be holding several raffles, including one to win a race Bandit!
The wind has started do drop slightly, so after a couple of experienced riders did a few sighting laps, it was decided that we could venture out for practice.
Sunday and the weather had improved, so it was time to go racing!
With the lack of qualifying and race one on Saturday, it was decided that we would have two championship races on Sunday, with race one grid positions, determined by championship positions.
Race one FPR Suzuki Bandit Challenge, saw Chris Edwards take a commanding lead and eventual race victory, which sealed the deal, giving him his second and back-to-back championship wins… Congratulations Chris!
Second place went to David Greenwood, who had quite a lonely race, mainly due to the fact that his usual sparring partner, Dan Tuplin had crashed on the Friday test day, ruling him out of this round.
Third was a hard-fought battle, seeing Craig Harris, getting the better of Shannon Bishop on the final lap.
Bandit Seniors was a close-run battle, with Shane Watson finally taking victory, closely followed by Keith Chambers and newly crowned Champion, Tim Hawkins in third place.
Bandit Rookies winner was the ever-improving James Taylor, second went to Adrian O’Connor and Shane Watson third.
The FPR Classic Superbike race was once again, a battle for victory on track between FP2 and FP3!
It was Shaun Hennessey in FP3, who took the overall and class win, from Fred Manning-Morton and Matt Orford.
FP2 winner (and second overall) was Nick Williamson, from Hayden Rushden.
FP1 winner was Cathal Phelan.
Race Two: FPR Bandit Challenge and once again it was Edwards, from Greenwood and Harris. Bandit Seniors saw Chambers take the win, from Hawkins and Watson. Bandit Rookies went this time to Arthur Moore, who had crashed in race one, from O’Connor and Watson.
FP3 was once again Hennessey, from Manning-Morton and Orford, with Gareth Sutton in fourth.
FP2, Williamson was victorious once again, with overall honours too this time out, with Rushden having another strong ride to second.
FP1, Cathal Phelan made the journey across from Ireland all the better, with his second win of the day.
Formula Prostocks Racing Club would like to thank NG Road Racing, once again, for hosting us, as a guest club for the 2023 season.
A big thank you (as always) to all the Marshalls and officials, without whom, we wouldn’t be racing, so THANK YOU!
Now on, to the final round at Cadwell Park, to finish off another great season of racing!
Report: Keith Chambers - Club Chairman
Pics : Gordon Brady - GORDIE1960@hotmail.com