Rounds 3, 4 & 5 of the 2024 NGRRC calendar took place at Cadwell park on the 13 & 14th of April with riders benefitting from great early spring weather that saw shorts and sunglasses make an appearance for the spectators.
Qualifying saw A class (injection) racer Carl Smalley (691) pip Dominic Cann (1) to top spot with a half a second splitting the two and Enrico Belsito (13), proving his Oulton Park performance wasn’t just a one off, occupying the third position ahead of local favourite and guest rider Jason Dixon (62). In B class (Carburettor) Sean Coyle (57) and Jim Robinson (55) continued their closely fought contest with Coyle (57) qualifying 2 seconds ahead of his championship rival.
The first race on Saturday Cann (1) bettered his qualifying time by almost half a second to finish ahead of Smalley (691) with Mike Smith (89) occupying the third position almost 9 seconds down the road. In B class Coyle (57) and Robinson (55) traded places in the race with Coyle (57) taking the win 3 seconds ahead and with Will Pugh (71) taking the final podium position.
For the Sunday morning race Cann (1) again got the better of Smalley (691) with a lap time that was a second quicker than his previous best. Smith (89) again had a great race with Jason Dixon with just half a second separating the two at the finish, Smith (89) taking the third spot. In B class Robinson (55) reclaimed the honours, beating Coyle (57) to the win with just one tenth of a second separating the two at the line. Pugh (71) again came home in 3rd spot to complete the podium.
For the second race of the Sunday Cann (1) was ruled unfit to race after an incident in the Open 500 race in which he was also entered. In A class, Smalley (691) took advantage of the reigning champions absence, as well as the championship lead with a dominant display that saw him finish 7 seconds ahead of Smith (89) who came home second place. The fast-charging Enrico Belsito (13) came home in third on a bike he’d borrowed having experienced electrical gremlins on his own in race two. In B class Coyle (57) once again took the top step with Robinson (55) taking second spot and Pugh (71) in third.
As always, the Ducati Sporting Club would like to express their thanks to all of those at NGRRC for organising the event and especially the marshals and medical teams who looked out for our fallen riders. For the continued tyre support we are also eternally grateful to both Dunlop and Clinton Howe for providing a control tyre that is perfectly suited to our machines.
Andy Hind
Pictures : Colin Hill : hairybeastpix@hotmail.com