A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Croft – 20th & 21st August Preview
Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photos – Bryan Gough
Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire holds the penultimate round of the series – a year which has seen mixed fortunes for several teams. However, overall series leaders Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) have been especially consistent, and go into the weekend with a 56 point lead over nearest rivals Steve & Matty Ramsden (LCR Honda). Meanwhile in the F2 Cup, Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) have gone the whole year unbeaten, with a 60 point advantage over Brian Ilaria / Arlo Brown (DDM Suzuki). Mathematically with just 100 points available, it is possible either or both series could be sown up this weekend, but would require many other crews to suffer non-finishes.
The 2021 visit to Croft saw Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie (LCR Suzuki) seal the championship title in style with two wins and a new lap record. Whilst they took four podium finishes in as many starts (including a double win at Donington) earlier this year, their charge has stalled in recent weeks, indeed opting to miss the previous round at Cadwell Park. At their home circuit, Team A.R.C. will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways – especially having shattered their own lap record on a return visit back in March.
Last time out at Cadwell Park, Founds / Walmsley had an incident on the Saturday which brought out the red flags and ruled them out of race one. However they bounced back to take a maximum fifty points on Sunday. After enduring a somewhat frustrating start to the campaign, John Holden / Jake Lowther (LCR Yamaha) had an excellent weekend at Cadwell, with a win and a brace of runners-up placings propelling them up the standings into fifth. Reliability and consistency has seen the Ramsdens open a fourteen point advantage over third placed Manxmen Mike Jackson / Jake Roberts (DMR Suzuki) in the chase for the championship. Wayne Lockey / Ben Binns (LCR Honda) and Gary Horspole / Kenny Cole (Baker Suzuki) will be hoping for a successful weekend, after both endured disappointment last time out.
The aforementioned Atkinson / Middleton not only lead the Cup, but also sit sixth overall in the Super F2, ahead of veterans Conrad Harrison / Andy Winkle (Ireson Yamaha). In the F2 Cup, Ilaria / Brown have taken second place in every race they have completed, with an enviable 77 point advantage over third placed Tom & Thomas Quaye (MRE Suzuki). However, only 19 points separate fourth to tenth, so there will no doubt be some unpredictable racing and results all the way down the field, with Shaun & Ben Chandler (Baker Honda); Chris Schofield / Shane Colbrook (Baker Honda); Charlie Morphet / William Reilly (LCR Suzuki) and David Schofield / Josh Smith (Windle Suzuki) to name just a few teams likely to be vying for honours.
Current Lap Records:
Super F2 – Crawford / Hardie – 01:26.612 (26/03/22)
F2 Cup – Crawford / Farrance – 01:29.817 (26/09/15)
Thanks as ever go to the A.C.U., along with series sponsors A.R.C. (Binchester / Newton Aycliffe); A.V. Craine & Son; Hegarty Plant Ltd; Leeds Parcel Company; Lockside Engineering; Pagid Racing (Breitenbach Rennsport); Rowtec Engineering Maintenance; and Whitby Cottages.
With the season coming to a close, the final round will be held at Fife’s Knockhill Circuit on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September. In the meantime, please keep up to date with F.S.R.A. news, including race reports and up to date championship points on the website – www.fsra.org.uk
