CRMC Snetterton 3oth Anniversary Meeting
Posted: Mon Sep 20, 2010 8:56 pm
Snetterton 30th Anniversary Meeting – A Tapsell Triumph
30 years after the CRMC first raced we were back at Snetterton where it all started all those years ago. On the positive side how many friendships have been struck due to this common interest, how much beer has been drunk in celebration and/or commiseration. And there was plenty to celebrate – firstly the arrival of new team Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas in Period 1, Steve Rommeril and Linda McShane in Period 2 (OK Linda’s been around before, but a long time ago, aboard a Windle Imp – oh yes, Kevin’s and mine!!). Biggest celebration to the Tapsell boys – what the hell happened to them all year – we’ve had “it’s too old, too long, too short. There wasn’t much wrong on Sunday – blooming fantastic!! Commiserations as a few Imps were struggling, ours, David’s, Clint’s, Simon’s and sadly Eddy and Vicky’s. They lost last year’s championship by a handful of points – this year it was either them or Matt and Alan, both outfits setting an awesome pace for the rest of us to follow. On Sunday Eddy’s chassis revealed some horrible cracks due to the age and life it has had to live with Eddy’s hand on the throttle – a great shame but there’s always next year. One other crew you have to feel for is the brothers Latheron – Dave and Keith have fought all year to get the Wessie running – the bike made just two corners of practice again and the boys cried “enough!” “Commando next year” – how riding with no underpants will help I don’t quite know but apparently Commando it is.
Race 1 Saturday – At just after 11.30 a.m. the sidecar grid pulled onto the track – we were down to 22 outfits with the loss of the No23 Wessie. At 11.37.23 the flag fell and the grid surged towards Riches. I thought we had a good start passing Hyperian I and Ray and Ted. Mike Bellaby and Karl (the British Predators) went very wide into Sears followed by Simon and Dave, giving us another scalp but the No.73 chopped in front as we entered The Esses. Best first lap had to go to Jon Perkins and Peter who followed Matt and Alan over the line to complete lap 1 in second place Brian Gray and TBA (alias Ian Nickells) were also pushing on, running in fourth place behind Eddy and Vicky. On lap 1 we lost the Tapsells and David and Des. We were having a great race with Simon and Dave with Hyperian II right behind when on lap 2 as we entered Corum the Imp cried “enough” or at least a big end cried “enough”. Also on lap 2 Hyperian I Ben and Boon pulled off with engine trouble and Dave le Pavoux and Adam left with a broken Pearson chain. At the sharp end Jon and Pete were pushing Matt hard with Brian up to third place. Lap 4 and Reg and Kerry Charlesworth pulled off with low oil pressure and Phil and Buddha were black flagged due to a smokey haze following them. A fantastic result was wrecked for Jon and Pete when a bolt escaped from the transmission and shot straight down the carb bell mouth – perfect shot – disastrous result for the No8 BMW. At the flag Matt had a ten second lead over Eddy and Vicky who had managed to pass Brian and Ian on the last lap. Period 1 honours went to Dennis and Christine Etheridge, Norton power, ahead of the two Daves, Messrs Crawford and Baxter’s BMW, and Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas also Norton powered. In Period 2 newcomers Steve and Linda showed how it could be done aboard their 750 Triumph, ahead of Andy and Loraine’s 650 Triumph.
Race 2 Saturday – Another fantastic race to watch. We, with several other retirees, watched this corker of a race at Russells; we heard the grid roar away and waited to see who would come round Corum first – the black BMW of Matt and Alan surged into sight followed by the “woos” blue Honda of Brian and Ian. Simon and Dave were already missing in action with a broken drive belt. This was a fantastic race – initially Matt had a fair lead but you could see Brian was on a mission. The Predators (Mike and Carl) were in third place, in front of the orange Bellas Imp of Eddy and Vicky with Hyperian II leading the mid-field mellee. Lap 2 Matt was still in front, Eddy was in third and Clive “the Boss” Faulkner and his chair man Brian Robson (Hyperian II) were after the Predators; lap 3 and they had them. A couple of spots behind Phil Luhr and Buddha were ahead of Rod and Darren Chapman, both outfits running strongly, if a little smokily. Ray and Ted were lacking power with the 750 Honda and were now behind the Tapsells Triple Triumph. The period 1 battle was red hot – the two Daves couldn’t quite get past the Etheridges Norton – then on the last lap, as the enthralled crowd stared into the distance, the two Daves powered the BMW round the outside of the Etheridge Norton into Russells for the last time. Dennis may be old but he’s not daft – the plan stay cool and tidy and let the Norton out-drag the BMW to the line – and it did by 0.3 seconds – fantastic stuff to watch. At the sharp end Matt and Alan stayed ahead of Brian and Ian, with Eddy and Vicky in third and a best ever finish for Hyperian II in fourth place. Superb racing throughout the field ending with Period 1 Dennis and Christine ahead of the two Daves. Period 2 Steve and Linda, ahead of Andy Rayner and Loraine.
Sunday – sadly the Period 3 championship which had run to the last race last season and looked as if it would this year came unglued, when Eddy, who had been suffering vibrations under braking, discovered his original classic chassis had started to crack under championship- chasing pressure and Eddy and Vicky had to retire. So, with Eddy and Vicky out all Matt had to do was take it easy, collect some good points, no need to fight for the win – and if you believed Matt would do that you don’t know him that well! First into Russells – black BMW. Ah, that would be Matt then ahead of Brian and Ian. In third place the Tapsell’s Triple – yes the Tapsell’s Triple. Graham Lawlor the commentator had to check as well. Ian and Grant third – would it last. As they crossed the line to complete lap 3 Brian and Ian were in front of Matt – in third place looking good Ian and Grant aboard the Triple. Rod Chapman was also on a roll, having passed his smoking partner, Phil and Buddha, and Ray and Ted. Reg and Kerry’s oil pressure problems stopped as a big end cried enough or not enough (oil that is). As they exited Russells on the last lap Matt shook his head – second it had to be – Brian’s Honda just too quick. Third the Tapsell boys – fantastic stuff. All year we’ve had” it’s too old” “too heavy”,”too long”, it’s this – it’s that – from where we stood it looked pretty damn good! Christine and Dennis had to play second fiddle to the two Daves, with Mark and Morgan third. Period 2 Steve and Linda still running well ahead of Andy and Loraine, both Triumph powered.
Sunday – Race 2 – unfortunately due to a nasty solo start line accident we were down to a 4 lap sprint. A shame, but let’s hope the solo guys are all OK. Last race of the weekend and still 16 outfits ready to do battle. Matt still out for points not places – yeah right! Once again the whole crowd waited to see who would appear first - it was the No.34 outfit that surged into Russells to complete lap 1 with Brian in hot pursuit – third Rod and Darren Chapman just ahead of 118 – surely not again! The two Daves were just in front of Dennis and Christine; in Period 2 Steve and Linda were also running well – remember it’s Steve’s first weekend behind the ‘bars. So keen were they to get to the collecting area that when they returned to the paddock the Transit would still be running in the rollers, where Linda had jumped out of the cab to get on the outfit!! That’s keen!! Clive “the Boss” and Brian had had a fantastic first lap after starting from the back of the grid – lap 1 they were in to 7th place; lap 2 they had passed Ray and Ted and were closing in on the Predators (Mike and Karl) and the resurgent Tapsell crew. Clive’s speed at the end of the Rivett Straight was enough to take him past both outfits, a fantastic move, except – he couldn’t stop – damn it – it was such a good plan as well! So a quick trip through the tyres to rejoin the track. Brian apparently had been happy to call it a day but not “the Boss” – the chase was once again on. At the sharp end things were a little calmer – Matt had led all but the last lap, finally giving best to Brian and Ian. Rod and Darren secured a fantastic third place, ahead of the Predators, the Tapsells and “the Boss”. A terrific, if at times eventful, race for Clive and Brian. Period 1 Dennis and Christine’s Norton was hanging on to the two Dave’s BMW until a very sick Imp of Simon and Dave split the two Period 1s. Mark and Morgan were just a few spots behind. In Period 2 Steve and Linda’s Triumph was going strongly in front of Andy and Loraine’s Triumph.
So ended the Snetterton Birthday Bash. If you’re forced to watch, as we were, at least we had some fantastic racing to look at throughout the field. Cadwell next – just two Championship races and the Race of the Year, plus the Bill Barracliff Handicap Race, which as last year, will have some fabulous trophies, bubbly and some very generous envelopes. Snetterton was fantastic to watch but Kevin and I are going to attempt to have the old Imp going for just one last CRMC weekend this season and then the Sidecar Festival. So, keep chucking those spanners at it and if that fails there’s always money – that normally fixes it.
Ian Johnson
30 years after the CRMC first raced we were back at Snetterton where it all started all those years ago. On the positive side how many friendships have been struck due to this common interest, how much beer has been drunk in celebration and/or commiseration. And there was plenty to celebrate – firstly the arrival of new team Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas in Period 1, Steve Rommeril and Linda McShane in Period 2 (OK Linda’s been around before, but a long time ago, aboard a Windle Imp – oh yes, Kevin’s and mine!!). Biggest celebration to the Tapsell boys – what the hell happened to them all year – we’ve had “it’s too old, too long, too short. There wasn’t much wrong on Sunday – blooming fantastic!! Commiserations as a few Imps were struggling, ours, David’s, Clint’s, Simon’s and sadly Eddy and Vicky’s. They lost last year’s championship by a handful of points – this year it was either them or Matt and Alan, both outfits setting an awesome pace for the rest of us to follow. On Sunday Eddy’s chassis revealed some horrible cracks due to the age and life it has had to live with Eddy’s hand on the throttle – a great shame but there’s always next year. One other crew you have to feel for is the brothers Latheron – Dave and Keith have fought all year to get the Wessie running – the bike made just two corners of practice again and the boys cried “enough!” “Commando next year” – how riding with no underpants will help I don’t quite know but apparently Commando it is.
Race 1 Saturday – At just after 11.30 a.m. the sidecar grid pulled onto the track – we were down to 22 outfits with the loss of the No23 Wessie. At 11.37.23 the flag fell and the grid surged towards Riches. I thought we had a good start passing Hyperian I and Ray and Ted. Mike Bellaby and Karl (the British Predators) went very wide into Sears followed by Simon and Dave, giving us another scalp but the No.73 chopped in front as we entered The Esses. Best first lap had to go to Jon Perkins and Peter who followed Matt and Alan over the line to complete lap 1 in second place Brian Gray and TBA (alias Ian Nickells) were also pushing on, running in fourth place behind Eddy and Vicky. On lap 1 we lost the Tapsells and David and Des. We were having a great race with Simon and Dave with Hyperian II right behind when on lap 2 as we entered Corum the Imp cried “enough” or at least a big end cried “enough”. Also on lap 2 Hyperian I Ben and Boon pulled off with engine trouble and Dave le Pavoux and Adam left with a broken Pearson chain. At the sharp end Jon and Pete were pushing Matt hard with Brian up to third place. Lap 4 and Reg and Kerry Charlesworth pulled off with low oil pressure and Phil and Buddha were black flagged due to a smokey haze following them. A fantastic result was wrecked for Jon and Pete when a bolt escaped from the transmission and shot straight down the carb bell mouth – perfect shot – disastrous result for the No8 BMW. At the flag Matt had a ten second lead over Eddy and Vicky who had managed to pass Brian and Ian on the last lap. Period 1 honours went to Dennis and Christine Etheridge, Norton power, ahead of the two Daves, Messrs Crawford and Baxter’s BMW, and Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas also Norton powered. In Period 2 newcomers Steve and Linda showed how it could be done aboard their 750 Triumph, ahead of Andy and Loraine’s 650 Triumph.
Race 2 Saturday – Another fantastic race to watch. We, with several other retirees, watched this corker of a race at Russells; we heard the grid roar away and waited to see who would come round Corum first – the black BMW of Matt and Alan surged into sight followed by the “woos” blue Honda of Brian and Ian. Simon and Dave were already missing in action with a broken drive belt. This was a fantastic race – initially Matt had a fair lead but you could see Brian was on a mission. The Predators (Mike and Carl) were in third place, in front of the orange Bellas Imp of Eddy and Vicky with Hyperian II leading the mid-field mellee. Lap 2 Matt was still in front, Eddy was in third and Clive “the Boss” Faulkner and his chair man Brian Robson (Hyperian II) were after the Predators; lap 3 and they had them. A couple of spots behind Phil Luhr and Buddha were ahead of Rod and Darren Chapman, both outfits running strongly, if a little smokily. Ray and Ted were lacking power with the 750 Honda and were now behind the Tapsells Triple Triumph. The period 1 battle was red hot – the two Daves couldn’t quite get past the Etheridges Norton – then on the last lap, as the enthralled crowd stared into the distance, the two Daves powered the BMW round the outside of the Etheridge Norton into Russells for the last time. Dennis may be old but he’s not daft – the plan stay cool and tidy and let the Norton out-drag the BMW to the line – and it did by 0.3 seconds – fantastic stuff to watch. At the sharp end Matt and Alan stayed ahead of Brian and Ian, with Eddy and Vicky in third and a best ever finish for Hyperian II in fourth place. Superb racing throughout the field ending with Period 1 Dennis and Christine ahead of the two Daves. Period 2 Steve and Linda, ahead of Andy Rayner and Loraine.
Sunday – sadly the Period 3 championship which had run to the last race last season and looked as if it would this year came unglued, when Eddy, who had been suffering vibrations under braking, discovered his original classic chassis had started to crack under championship- chasing pressure and Eddy and Vicky had to retire. So, with Eddy and Vicky out all Matt had to do was take it easy, collect some good points, no need to fight for the win – and if you believed Matt would do that you don’t know him that well! First into Russells – black BMW. Ah, that would be Matt then ahead of Brian and Ian. In third place the Tapsell’s Triple – yes the Tapsell’s Triple. Graham Lawlor the commentator had to check as well. Ian and Grant third – would it last. As they crossed the line to complete lap 3 Brian and Ian were in front of Matt – in third place looking good Ian and Grant aboard the Triple. Rod Chapman was also on a roll, having passed his smoking partner, Phil and Buddha, and Ray and Ted. Reg and Kerry’s oil pressure problems stopped as a big end cried enough or not enough (oil that is). As they exited Russells on the last lap Matt shook his head – second it had to be – Brian’s Honda just too quick. Third the Tapsell boys – fantastic stuff. All year we’ve had” it’s too old” “too heavy”,”too long”, it’s this – it’s that – from where we stood it looked pretty damn good! Christine and Dennis had to play second fiddle to the two Daves, with Mark and Morgan third. Period 2 Steve and Linda still running well ahead of Andy and Loraine, both Triumph powered.
Sunday – Race 2 – unfortunately due to a nasty solo start line accident we were down to a 4 lap sprint. A shame, but let’s hope the solo guys are all OK. Last race of the weekend and still 16 outfits ready to do battle. Matt still out for points not places – yeah right! Once again the whole crowd waited to see who would appear first - it was the No.34 outfit that surged into Russells to complete lap 1 with Brian in hot pursuit – third Rod and Darren Chapman just ahead of 118 – surely not again! The two Daves were just in front of Dennis and Christine; in Period 2 Steve and Linda were also running well – remember it’s Steve’s first weekend behind the ‘bars. So keen were they to get to the collecting area that when they returned to the paddock the Transit would still be running in the rollers, where Linda had jumped out of the cab to get on the outfit!! That’s keen!! Clive “the Boss” and Brian had had a fantastic first lap after starting from the back of the grid – lap 1 they were in to 7th place; lap 2 they had passed Ray and Ted and were closing in on the Predators (Mike and Karl) and the resurgent Tapsell crew. Clive’s speed at the end of the Rivett Straight was enough to take him past both outfits, a fantastic move, except – he couldn’t stop – damn it – it was such a good plan as well! So a quick trip through the tyres to rejoin the track. Brian apparently had been happy to call it a day but not “the Boss” – the chase was once again on. At the sharp end things were a little calmer – Matt had led all but the last lap, finally giving best to Brian and Ian. Rod and Darren secured a fantastic third place, ahead of the Predators, the Tapsells and “the Boss”. A terrific, if at times eventful, race for Clive and Brian. Period 1 Dennis and Christine’s Norton was hanging on to the two Dave’s BMW until a very sick Imp of Simon and Dave split the two Period 1s. Mark and Morgan were just a few spots behind. In Period 2 Steve and Linda’s Triumph was going strongly in front of Andy and Loraine’s Triumph.
So ended the Snetterton Birthday Bash. If you’re forced to watch, as we were, at least we had some fantastic racing to look at throughout the field. Cadwell next – just two Championship races and the Race of the Year, plus the Bill Barracliff Handicap Race, which as last year, will have some fabulous trophies, bubbly and some very generous envelopes. Snetterton was fantastic to watch but Kevin and I are going to attempt to have the old Imp going for just one last CRMC weekend this season and then the Sidecar Festival. So, keep chucking those spanners at it and if that fails there’s always money – that normally fixes it.
Ian Johnson
Is that for front page please? 