Pembrey CRMC Race Report

[sidecar bloke]

IT’S ALL BALLS AT PEMBREY

“And we’re off” back to Pembrey to start the 2012 Championship and after nearly six months off some crews failed to get their outfits ready in time; the Pirate was out on his old outfit and we – well we just failed! So, wherever you finished – first or last, it didn’t matter, the main thing was that you were there with your outfits unlike some; so, big respect to you all!

The normal axmen were out there and joining this merry band were Kevin Hunt and Alan Cracknell aboard the ex-John Herbert Imp; they had tried to play at Donington Park last year but the outfit had stage fright and wouldn’t play. Tony Sawyer was at last ready – gone was Carl and in came Carol Klatkiewicz; a fair imbalance of weight there – not saying Tony’s over-weight but with Carol in the chair – less pies Tony, less pies! Loraine Bown’s Mum and Dad, Chris and Jackie Adams, were out in their original Norton kneeler but that too was playing hard to get – the kneeler not Jackie you understand. Ian Champ and Della Bufton were out on our old bike which was previously owned by Nick Robinson. So, as I said, plenty of old faces but some new ones as well.

Grid positions this year will be drawn with the aid of balls out of a bag for the first race of each day, the grid for the second race being the reverse of the first – “simples” as Alexander would say.

So race 1 Saturday, seven laps of the 1.456 mile circuit. At 13.51 p.m. Martyn, in his lovely white overalls, dropped the flag and the sidecars roared towards Hatchetts Hairpin. As I wasn’t racing I was told it was quite exciting but the man who came over the line to complete lap one was Matt Kingsmill with Alan Bedford aboard the now larger than 750 BMW, hotly pursued by the Roeburys, Jon Perkins and Nancy Detournay and Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood. As the leaders arrived at the Brooklands Hairpin the lead four were closely bunched; Matt was in trouble – he raised his arm to pull off the track; unfortunately in doing this he took the Roeburys off the track with him, ending their race as well. So now the race was being led by Jon and Nancy (Moorespeed power) with two Gristwood machines, firstly David Johnson and Des Kingsmill aboard the Windle Imp and in third place Simon and Dave’s D & D Moorespeed BMW. In Period 1 the two Daves, Crawford and Baxter, and Dennis and Christine Etheridge were having a battle. The two Daves, also Moorespeed powered, were passing Dennis and Christine only to find the pensioners sneaking up the inside on the corner to regain their former place. Man of the race for me was Kevin Hunt, a very controlled fourth place on the yet-to-be-painted outfit. As the flag fell Jon Perkins and Nancy had a 12 second lead over David and Des who were 5 seconds ahead of team leaders, Simon and Dave Gristwood. Period 1 was eventually won by the two Daves ahead of the Etheridges with Steve and Byron Reilly third. Period 2 was won by Russell Bleach and Penny Dawes.

Race 2 – Matt and Alan were fixed as were the Roeburys. The grid had been flipped after the first race so whoever had been on pole now found himself on the back row. As the flag dropped the grid once again headed off to Hatchetts. In the heat of battle Ian Champ and Della Bufton tangled with Nick Robinson and Shelly Cooper – this dropped Ian and Della right to the back of everybody whilst they sorted themselves out. In front Jon and Nancy were leading with David and Des second and Matt and Alan third. In Period 1 Dennis and Christine were trying their best to keep the Norton up with the two Daves with their new Moorespeed BMW. It was great to see the Latherons back out; however the Period 3 Wessie wasn’t playing the game and the two Daves Period 1 outfit had them in their sights. Lap 3 and Matt was past David and Des – could he catch Perkys’ BMW. The answer “no” – next lap he retired with mechanical gremlins. Also out were Kevin Hunt and Alan Cracknell, the engine making an expensive noise as they rounded Dibeni Bend – their weekend was over. On hindsight the problem was not as bad as first thought but I clearly can’t embarrass them by stating the real fault here!! Whilst David and Des had regained second place, when Matt retired, they now found themselves back in third on the road as the Period 4 Roebury outfit slipped past. A big battle between Simon Smith and Ray Reeves would end up in Simon’s favour as he retook Ray and Ted on the last lap. The Roeburys (Period 4) took the win ahead of the Period 3’s Jon and Nancy, David and Des and Simon and Dave. Period 2 a rather lonely Russell and Penny and Period 1 the two Daves, Dennis and Christine and Steve and Byron in third.

After a fantastic night in the clubhouse, where the slideys did themselves proud on the Karaoke, Sunday dawned bright if a little chilly………

Sunday, the last race before lunch so plenty of time to get things sorted. New day, new balls, new grid. Reg and Kerry Charlesworth who had failed to get their BSA to play on Saturday were now out on the somewhat different Banshee Imp. The controls were in the same place – so long as Reg could reach them; Kerry had a bit further to travel but at least it was a run.

Even with the mixed grid starts Jon and Nancy had still managed to lead every lap so far – now Matt was properly fixed would he give them a run? Initially it was David and Des again who attempted to stay with the Moorespeed rocket. The Tapsells triple was running a strong fourth place – Grant’s wrist well fixed! Period 1 Dennis and Christine were still give it their all to keep up with the two Daves, with Steve and Byron running behind Dennis, BMW powered also but by a different engine tuner. Lap 5 a near excursion moment by the Tapsells saw Simon and Ray pass and with two laps to go Ray was past Simon. At the flag it was Jon and Nancy, Matt and Alan with David and Des one second behind in third. Period 1 the two Daves, Dennis and Christine and Steve and Byron third, still in formation and in Period 2 the lonely Russell and Penny whose competition had all failed earlier in the weekend.

Race 41 Sunday – a massive grid of 29 and at last a different leader – Matt and Alan topped the lap charts for the first three laps aboard their MRE Moorespeed BMW – then they stopped! Was it the excitement or a mechanical gremlin – I don’t know. So, the grey BMW of Jon Perkins was back in front being chased by the Woods³ green Imp of David and Des and the Roeburys, but only for one lap before the Kettle would boil. Period 1 Dennis and Christine refusing to give up the chase still after the two Daves; unfortunately the Reilly’s BMW had failed to make the start. Midfield Nick Robinson still found his old bike worryingly close and with two laps to go Ian and Della would pass Nick and Shelli on their blue Arij Imp. The old Banshee safely carried Reg and Kerry to two finishes.

So, everybody had a good weekend I believe which is what matters and as I said at the start wherever you finished you were there, you took part which was a lot better than some I could name.

Next month we will be at Cadwell where we should be joined by the Faulkners on their newly branded machines, with Brian Gray and Vicky Cooke; the Isle of Man lot, Nick Houghton, Bill Hodgkins, Steve Stevenson etc., so another good weekend to look forward to.

Ian