CRMC Lydden Hill Race Report

[sidecar bloke]

REEVES RETURNS TO THE LYDDEN HE LOVES

After a couple of years away the CRMC returned to Lydden Hill for round 3 of it’s 2012 Championship. Lydden certainly isn’t the largest of tracks at just one mile, however, as a rider it’s turns such as Chessons and Paddock are likely to focus the attention, as Gert and Eddy would find out. Also the Hairpin and Devil’s Elbow have their own unique challenges – as David and Des would discover. For a spectator it has to be the finest circuit – virtually the whole track being visible from just about everywhere – perfect for not missing any of the action, and over the next couple of days the slidies would provide some fantastic on-track action.

Once again the support for the class overwhelmed the grid space so five races were planned to help alleviate the reserve problems, each crew would compete in four of the five races.

The second race of the programme would be the slidies first – after a wet practice the now dry track was much welcomed. The randomised grid had put Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood on pole with Ian and Grant Tapsell alongside, but as the field roared over the line to complete lap one it was the No.34 outfit of Matt Kingsmill and Alan Bedford in the lead, Simon now in second place with the blue and white BMW of Gert Vansevenant and Eddy Hubrechsen third. Regular front runners David Johnson and Des Kingsmill’s race came to an end at Devil’s Elbow on the first lap; as the bunched grid steamed into said corner Simon Smith braked hard, behind him Grant braked even harder and behind Grant was David who had nowhere to go so headed to the right, unfortunately kissing the tyre barrier which removed the exhaust from the Gristwood Windle and punched the gear lever through David’s right foot, ending their day’s racing. Down the field chains of riders were forming waiting for a chance to pass. Top 750 were Bill Hodgkins and Bert Vloemans, Period 2, running ninth on the road after a good first lap. Period 1 Steve and Byron Reilly. With so much on-track action it was hard to follow the many battles taking shape. It was soon obvious that the Belgian pairing of Gert and Eddy had Matt in their sights. Lap 5 would see Jean Pierre and Muriel Capel retire with Wessie gremlins; also Clive Faulkner and Brian Robson with Honda issues. With a couple of laps to go Gert had caught Matt – and local Lydden lovers, Ray Reeves and Ted Hills, were in a strong third place. Last lap all eyes on the front two – it was going to happen but where? Devil’s Elbow Gert would try round the outside of Matt but Matt had the better line and punched up Hairy Hill. Undeterred Gert once again tried the outside line, once again with no success – this left one corner- Paddock. Matt defended the inside line – not fazed by his two earlier round-the-outside manoeuvres Gert tried again and it worked – right to the point he ran out of tarmac and ended beached in the gravel – a fantastic last lap. This gave Ray second and Simon third in Period 3. Bill and Bert were comfortable winners of Period 2 ahead of Russell Bleach and Penny Daws. Period 1 honours went to Steve and Byron ahead of the two Daves, Crawford and Baxter, and Dennis and Christine Etheridge.

Race 2. Local man Ray Reeves found himself on pole with Belgians Jurgen Couvreur and Peter Deneire alongside, and for the first two laps Reeves and Hills topped the charts, but working their way through the field were Jon Perkins and Nancy Detournay and Brian Gray and Vicky Cooke, both teams on their first rides of the day. Unfortunately for Matt and Alan a lack of grip at the rear of the outfit saw the MREquipe outfit half spin at Paddock and spear into the barrier on the inside via the Rallycross track, ending their race and unfortunately their weekend after such a fantastic first race win. Also out on lap 2 were Clint Faulkner and Ben Gray with a fried clutch, and Tim Chapman and Nick George with issues. Undeterred by his last lap beach excursion Gert and Eddy were charging to the front, finally finishing second behind Jon and Nancy with Brian and Vicky third. Period 2 – Bill and Bert, showing many a Period 3 the way round, ahead of Russell and Penny. Period 1 – the two Daves again just in front of the Kent pensioners, Dennis and Christine, with Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas third.

Race 3 – Saturday. Tim “Shaky” Chapman and Nick George found themselves on pole with Clive and Brian alongside; David’s damaged foot keeping him out of this race and Matt’s chassis damage letting in reserves Jason and Daniel Reilly and Rod and Darren Chapman. It was, however, Jon and Nancy who sprang from the fifth row to lead, followed by Gert and Eddy and Kevin Hunt and Alan Cracknell, two orange vests showing many an experienced rider a clean set of heels. First out was the 74 outfit of Mark Kilner and Morgan Thomas – the unfortunate passenger breaking his wrist; also disappearing was the Michael Chewter and Paul Siebritz Royal Enfield and the father/daughter pairing of Chris Adams and Lorraine Bown on the Norton. From their back row start, with new clutch, Clint and Ben powered the Imp to third place just passing Kevin and Alan on the last lap, the win in period 3 going to Jon and Nancy, Gert and Eddy second and Clint and Ben third. Period 2 the unstoppable Bill and Bert ahead of Russell and Penny. Period 1 – after a race-long battle again with the two Daves, the win went to the Etheridges after an exciting Hairy Hill Hairpin on the last lap.

At trophy presentation we were once again honoured to have the late Roy James’ wife and son, Gary, with us to present their trophy, which after many years has again been resurrected, it was presented to Jon and Nancy last year at Brands Hatch and this year at Lydden. Next year hopefully back at Brands and hopefully to another worthy recipient.

So after a nice lay-in and relaxed start to the day – unless you were in the Charity Cycle Race, racing commenced mid-day and the slidies were out in fairly disgusting conditions, especially for June. The front row was a lock out for the silver and red Powerbiking/Faulkner teams with Brian and Vicky on pole and Clint and Ben alongside. Unfortunately for the bus loads of supporters fresh in from High Wycombe to support these crews it was a no show for Clint and Ben. At the other end of the grid Mark Kilner on his Norton had a Scutt onboard – I believe a Mr as opposed to a Mrs, to replace the now one-armed Morgan who will be back once the plaster’s off. It was good to see Brian and Vicky hold the lead with the Moorespeed BMW of Jon and Nancy in pursuit and Ray and Ted not far behind. Lap two saw the 94 outfit of Phil “The Pirate” Luhr and Dave “Buddha” Currell retire – a slight communications failure between the two forcing them out after Buddha’s knee became wedged in a place it shouldn’t! Kevin and Alan were once again running well in fourth with Shaky and Nick also on the pace, one place in front of a still battered David and Des. Bill and Bert were up in the Period 3 class battling with the Tapsell brothers – a battle the brothers would win. The Etheridge’s Norton was in close contact, this time with the Russell/Penny Norton, allowing the two Daves to get away on the Moorespeed BMW. Results – Period 1, 1st the two Daves, 2nd Steve and Byron with Christine and Dennis third. Period 2, 1st Bill and Bert, 2nd Russell and Penny. Period 3, Jon and Nancy, 2nd Brian and Vicky, 3rd Ray and Ted.

Race 43 on the programme – last race for the weekend for the slidies and everybody else - the conditions – just awful. Sadly all but one of the Belgian teams had been forced to head back to Dover to catch pre-booked ferries, so it was up to Jean Pierre and Muriel to uphold Belgian honours (Nancy doesn’t count as she lives over here). Despite his front row start Jean Pierre found himself in fourth place as they completed the first lap, leaving Nancy to uphold Belgian honours as she has all year with Jon and they were indeed up front being chased by Lydden lover Reeves, right up to the point he lost traction at Chessons on lap 4 and spun out of contention. He finished just up from the bottom as opposed to just down from the top! Already gone were David and Des. Jean Pierre was also out on lap 5; meanwhile the 69 outfit of Clint and Ben was quietly making it’s way to the front trailed by Kevin and Alan, also Imp powered. So, it was left to the unknown flag man to enthusiastically wave the chequered for Jon and Nancy, Brian and Vicky second and Clint and Ben third, Simon and Dave, Kevin and Alan etc., etc. This last race had no Period 1 and 2 outfits.

So, the end of some fantastic racing in, albeit, some fairly rubbish conditions. The reliability of the outfits was impressive (unless you were a reserve) the race preparation/turn out immaculate. We still need more outfits to run under trays – remember next year everyone will need them.

So a big thanks to all the crews for another fantastic weekend of racing. If you broke something I hope it’s cheap to fix or, on the human front, quick to mend. See you at Mallory Park with my balls – hopefully on foot for the last time this year………hopefully!

Ian Johnson

[Eddy Wright]

Great race report. Sounds like a typical Lydden action packed weekend.