Cadwell Park CRMC Race Report

[sidecar bloke]

CADWELL PARK
Where the Slideys came close to losing their Balls


As predicted a massive entry for Cadwell, all the regulars plus many, many more. Unfortunately the circuit booking had changed so the bike track day which had originally been booked on the Saturday had been cancelled and a Performance Car day had been slotted in. This, as you will know, added a hint of confusion and a little chaos getting into the circuit and once in the paddock, which now resembled the Somme with mud, ruts and puddles. This helped lead to the situation where the slideys instead of being parked together found themselves spread across half of Lincolnshire. The reserve list contained several regulars, including Matt Kingsmill. This would not be a problem as a dodgy kebab would keep Matt at home, on or within six feet of his loo for the next few days!

With balls drawn race one was set to start. The huge field looked more than impressive as we watched from the restaurant area. As the flag dropped the roar of a full grid of sidecars headed off towards Coppice. In the squeeze Jon Perkins and Nancy Detournay were sent off across the grass after a touch with another outfit; they regained the track way, way down the back of the field. Up front it was the Honda of Brian Gray and Vicky Cooke who had the pace, closely followed by Nick Houghton and Paul Thomas, BMW powered and Colin Lewis and Ian Nickels on the Wessie – a fantastic mix of outfits and engines. Top 750cc was Steve Stevenson aboard his Broadstock BSA in a fantastic 13 place overall. Lap 2 and the ex-Chris Latham BMW with Nick and Paul aboard was now in front. In fifth place was Dougie Wright and Martin Hull in their first classic race, clearly both vastly experienced in sidecar racing but at this point Martin wasn’t too sure about this front exit stuff – all the way out and then all the way back – hell! New or not they were on it, chasing down the No.52 outfit of David Johnson and Des Kingsmill, Clint Faulkner and Ben Gray were holding a good seventh place in their new livery. Clive Faulkner with his chairman Brian Robson had managed to extinguish the Honda’s spark on the grid so had re-started after everybody had passed, so would spend some time trying to see someone let along pass them. On lap 3 Brian Gray’s ignition would start to fail and he would drop to fifth place. Steve Stevenson and Jono Borrington would remain top 750 until the last lap when Bill Hodgkins and Bert Vloemans would steal their thunder. Sadly also David and Des would lose their third place to Dougie and Martin on the last lap. Result – Period 1 the two Daves (Crawford and Baxter), second Steve and Byron Reilly, third Eddie Toombs and Bob Dowty. Period 2 Bill Hodgkins and Bert Vloemans, second Steve Stevenson and Jono Borrington and third Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson. Period 3 Nick Houghton and Paul Thomas, second Colin Lewis and Ian Nickels and third Dougie Wright and Martin Hull.

Race 2 – Sunday. On the green flag lap the No.31 outfit of Nick and Paul pulled off – this still left Eddy Wright and Neil Wheatley and the Roeburys on the front row. The Roeburys managed to hold their advantage and led the field round for the first lap. However, by lap two Colin and Ian had made their way up from the fourth row to take the lead from Eddie and Neil and in third Dougie and Martin. Top 750 was the Period 2 outfit of Bill Hodgkins followed by the Period 1 of the two Daves, then the Period 2 of Steve Stevenson and Jono. Brian Gray and Vicky had been early retirees with their ignition gremlins; however on lap 4 they would be joined by Clint and Ben when their clutch failed, Dougie and Martin, for reasons not known, and Colin and Ian from the lead for reasons known to most!! So a win for Eddie and Neil, a fantastic second place to Ray Reeves and Ted Hills who passed David and Des on the line to demote them to third place. Period 2 winners Bill and Bert, with Steve and Jono in second and third Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson. Period 1 honours to the two Daves, with Eddy Toombs and Bob Dowty second and Simon and Byron Reilly third.

Monday – Race 1 – Sadly the mechanical gremlins had struck the sidecars with some force. However, there were still some twenty outfits fit for battle- so at 12.26 battle commenced. Ben Gray had drawn a front row, R1, start, much to the disgust of his rider; however as they led the field round to complete lap one it didn’t seem a bad move on Ben’s part. Sadly soon after this it “stopped”. Also on the second lap Brian and Vicky stopped (throw that ignition away) and to complete the set Clive and Brian went out one lap later – the whole team in two laps – was it something they ate!!! Up front for the first time this weekend was the Mighty Moorespeed BMW of Jon and Nancy, after a somewhat torrid first day, followed by the legendary Ray Reeves and Ted, with new boys Dougie and Martin third. Top 750 with one lap to go were Bill and Bert just in front of Steve and Jono, with the two Daves aboard their Period 1 Moorespeed BMW. On the last lap Steve and Jon would also go missing in combat. At the flag first Jon and Nancy, second Dougie and Martin and third Ray and Ted. Period 2 Bill and Bert, second Brian and Trevor and third Russell and Penny. The winners of the Period 1 – the two Daves.

Race 2 – last race for the weekend. The gremlins had been attacking and now the weather was turning against us. So on an already testing track the 16 hardy crews lined up – first row Kevin Hunt and Alan and alongside them Nick Robinson and Shelly Cooper. It was, however, Brian Gray from the second row that hit the front to lead the field round – as he came up the mountain you could hear the engine popping and banging; it’s fair to say the ignition system, as I write this, is in the bottom of a bin at Powerbiking awaiting the scrap man collection! So with Brian gone Jon Perkins found himself back at the front with Dougie and Martin second, but behind them were Colin and Ian aboard Alastair’s bike and they were flying through Hall Bends (the bit we could see) a joy to watch. With Bill Hodgkins not doing wet and Dennis still not feeling good (a man his age should pace himself Saturday night – whatever he was doing) top 750 was Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson, one ahead of the two Daves. On the last lap Colin and Ian passed Jon to take the win, Jon and Nancy held second place and Dougie and Martin third. Period 2 winner was Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson ahead of Russell Bleach and Penny Dawes and Period 1 the two Daves with Steve and Byron second.

Sadly for those classes still waiting to race, the track, which was already struggling to deal with what was being thrown at it, called it a day. So as a reminder – next year you will need an under-tray on your outfit and really the sooner you can fit one the better. 50% of us have something already so if you don’t, give me a ring, it won’t cost much to fit, we ‘need’ to do it and if you are entering Lydden please, please, don’t drop any oil or our balls will be removed!!!

Ian

[Vicky Cooke]

In fifth place was Dougie Wright and Martin Hull in their first classic race, clearly both vastly experienced in sidecar racing but at this point Martin wasn’t too sure about this front exit stuff – all the way out and then all the way back – hell!

When I read this post Ian I thought you had gone mad as I was sure Martin had been on a classic before, never said anything as I do get easily confused.... However, after a bit of searching I knew I was right...

Martin at the Pre TT with Ed a few years ago....

[DavidCurrell]

Well he has definately got his own style on lefts Vic i thought he was falling out where i was watching at hall bends.

Buddha.