Fresh over from the European mainland were Harri Vasen and Cremers from Belgium, Ulrich Seubert and Germar Seubert from Germany and from Holland Richard Pouwels and Kim van Goch. Sadly Damien and Nancy had prior commitments and Jean Pierre Capel, captain of mainland Europe was still recovering after his accident in the Czech Republic.
To make things even it was decided to run like with like. Harri Vasen, Weslake powered was matched against the pure Northern power of the brothers Latheron, Dave and Keith, also Wessie powered. Ulrich Seubert from Germany, Wessie powered, would be matched with the immaculate, if a little fragile, green Wessie of Mike Bellaby and Roger Holmes. Kim and Richard from Holland mounted on the American Ironhead Harley Davidson would be matched against the smaller, neater beauty that is the British Mighty Triumph of Andy Rayner and Loraine Bown.
Practice saw initial problems with Harri's head gasket which would also cause problems in race 1. Also in
race 1 the Bellaby/Holmes Wessie floundered, along with the Harley of Richard and Kim. This meant the mighty Northern pairing of Dave and Keith took top points with the nimble Triumph of Andy and Loraine in second place in the Challenge. Race 2 and the outfits still seemed to be suffering some reliability problems but once again the true Northern grit showed through with the Latherons top outfit. Second home Vasen/Cremers with the Triumph of Andy and Loraine in third. Mike and Roger and Richard and Kim were still trying to coax the best from their mounts.
Race 3 Sunday. Cracked it! Six started and six finished. The cream once again rose to the top , Dave and Keith making it three out of three. Mike and Roger surged ahead to take second place, closely followed by Harri and his partner and Seubert/Seubert. A fantastic race to watch, Richard and Kim sneaking their Ironhead home just in front of the mighty Triumph of Andy and Loraine. One race to go, the UK held the advantage but mainland Europe were on a roll.
Race 4. And it's a clean sweep for the Latherons proving, Jean Pierre, that British crews are faster and their outfits better prepared - four out of four. This was another close race with Seubert and Seubert second home in the championship and right behind the Latherons on track, with Mike and Roger in third place behind the Seuberts on track, Richard and Kim's Ironhead finishing one place ahead of Andy and Loraine's mighty Triumph.
After Round 1:- UK has 168 points
EU 104 points
Next weekend Chimay - this is where we wheel out the big guns. So, Jean Pierre can you match the power and experience of:- Vince Biggs, BMW , Eddy Wright, Imp, Matt Kingsmill, BMW, Chris Nickells, Mini powered and more. Plus in the 750 class the Toombs brothers and the Salters.
The only thing better than beef is roast beef.
Ian Johnson
