CRMC Silverstone Race Report

[sidecar bloke]

MATT’S MOJO GONE – I THINK NOT!

Silverstone, the last hurrah of the year. A circuit I haven’t raced for many a year and never with a sidecar. Kevin or Cochise as he is now known, like many, had never raced there. So, it was really good that we managed to force the new outfit into submission and onto the track after a season of “issues” shall we say.

A fair few of the outfits were out on track Friday making use of the Silverstone-run test day. One crew not out was Matt Kingsmill and Alan Bedford and as the rest of the weekend unfolded it was clear that they were so at-one with the place that testing was superfluous.

Saturday arrived dry and sunny – it had been a bit chilly Friday night for some but now the track was dry, perfect for the last weekend of the 2012 season. The balls were drawn for grid position as the crews waited in the Collecting Area, extra time being given to this due to a solo having dropped its bodily fluids on the track as they do! The Period 3 Championship had already been won by Jon Perkins but second place was being hotly contested by Ray Reeves on his 836cc Honda and David Johnson on the Team Gristwood Imp. Ray pulled a good mid-field position whereas David pulled second on the grid – good for Race 1 but when Race 2 was formed David would find himself on the back. The Period 2 Championship was also sorted with Russell Bleach and Penny Daws but the Period 1 was still being contested by the two Daves (Crawford and Baxter) and Steve and Byron Reilly – plenty to play for.

Race 1 started badly for Tony Sawyer and Carol Klatkiewicz – the Honda failed to leave the grid cleanly and whilst the majority of the grid streamed past the inevitable happened, Brian Gray and Vicky Cooke coming from two rows from the back clipped the No.13 outfit. Red flags came out and the grid initially came to a halt at Brooklands before the Clerk of the Course decided to call lunch. Brian and Vicky sustained, in the main, bodywork damage but would not make the re-start; Big Tony was shaken but not stirred – however Carol suffered knee damage.

So after lunch we went out to try again. This is where Matt and Alan started their weekend of superiority, charging from Row 4 to take the lead on lap one. For us we managed to get as far as Brooklands in the thick of it, when signalled to pull over by Kevin due to a teething “issue”. Whilst we were deciding which barrier we should hide behind, and Kevin complained about his poor wrist, we apparently missed the excitement of Ted Hills being ejected out of the chair by Ray Reeves as they entered Brooklands on lap 2. As Ted rolled around he managed to hit Ian Nickels who was passengering for Damien Perilleux, plucking him out to join him on the tarmac. All this excitement so close and I missed it looking at Kevin’s poor wrist! Lap 3 and Frank Schooderbeek and Marja Van Den Bor pulled out as did Clive Faulkner and his chairman Brian Robson, who had oiling issues. So, whilst a whole bunch of us were trying not to finish, up front Matt and Alan were still leading from Clint Faulkner and Ben Gray with the lightening Kevin Hunt and Alan Cracknell in third. A big fight for top 750 was going on between Terry Foxon and Roy Cunningham (Period 1) and Bill Hodgkins and Bert Vloemans (Period 2) but Steve and Byron were ahead of the two Daves ensuring their victory in the 2012 Period 1 Championship and with Ted doing his track inspection David Johnson finishing fifth was good enough to secure him second in the Period 3 Championship. So at the flag Matt Kingsmill and Alan Bedford took the win ahead of Clint and Ben with Kevin and Alan third. Period 2 honours went to Bill and Bert, followed by Brian Toombs and Trevor Johnson and Russell Bleach and Penny Daws. Period 1 winners were Terry and Roy with Steve and Byron Reilly second and the two Daves third.

So, after a fairly hectic first race hopefully race two would be much better. Carol was walking wounded (well hobbling); Tony was trying to fix his bike as was Brian Gray. Ted and Ian were fit to ride and we, at great expense, threw another belt at it – sorted!! Front row – Clive Stirratt and Andrew Johnson and a gap where Brian should have been. Second row Kevin and Alan on the battleship with a very quick Jason and Dan Reilly fourth. So the lights went out and off we went. Somehow Matt and Alan managed to hit the front from row eight to complete lap one with Clive and Andrew second, followed by Clint and Ben on the Fuzion outfit. On lap one the battleship of Kevin and Alan pulled off with gremlins in the works. By lap two Fuzion One, or is it Fuzion Two, anyway the youth team of the Fuzion Empire were up into second place. After a couple of laps we found ourselves, with belt still intact, following a fairly heavy duty mid-field battle; Damien, Simon, Ray and David and, as you do, I thought I can catch this lot – well that’s what I thought. We entered Maggots four abreast, and it has to be said discretion on my behalf took priority, so I lifted and fell in behind the bunch – it’s a new bike I didn’t want to scratch it. Round Woodcote we powered up the inside of David and Des, the new MR Equipe chassis managing to hold a tighter line than the Gristwood Windle then, as we rounded Copse Ray and Ted, who were just in front, had a huge sideways moment; avoiding action was taken “mind the bike” and we lost touch with the group as by now I was fairly bushed. Up front Matt and Alan were holding the lead ahead of Clint and Ben and Clive and Andrew who were racing the best they had all year thanks to a new gearbox bit that actually allowed Clive to find gears! Top 750 were Terry and Roy in Period 1 with Bill and Bert, Period 2, in hot pursuit. With one lap to go I was in desperate need of new arms when Terry and Roy passed us. No – I couldn’t let this happen – utilising our c.c. advantage we passed them down the Wellington Straight, held the line round Brooklands and Luffield and blasted to the line. Terry, in his need to beat another Period 3 had run wide at Luffield and allowed Ian and Grant Tapsell’s Triple through. Great fun and great racing. The win went to Matt and Alan with Clint and Ben second and Clive and Andrew third. Top Period 2 Bill and Bert, with Brian and Trevor second and Russell and Penny third. Top Period 1 Terry and Roy, with the two Daves second just ahead of Steve and Byron.

So that was it for the 2012 CRMC championship. Congratulations to all, whether you went home with armfuls of trophies or just armfuls of memories, you took part in a fantastic year of slidey racing. Saturday night the clubhouse was buzzing, full of revellers of both the two and three wheel variety (mainly three) enjoying some fantastic music and company; a great party to end the year; and clearly all alcohol consumed in moderation ready for the final race of 2012 - the Race of the Year.

Sunday morning bright and early, possibly too early, we were ready for Race 21. Yesterday’s heroes Matt and Alan were on pole with Clint and Ben alongside followed by Clive and Andrew and David and Des. The 750 boys were headed by Terry and Roy, Period 1, with Bill and Bert’s Period 2 alongside. Sadly Bill’s Norton was not feeling too good so they were unable to start. As they had done all weekend Matt and Alan hit the front followed by Clint and Ben, team Fuzion (youth). Early retirees were the No.72 outfit of Ian Champ and Della Bufton when the rear sprocket came loose (it was tight when we sold it to you!). Simon Smith and Dave Gristwood held third initially but Jason and Dan Reilly were putting them under pressure on their BMW powered outfit. Kevin and Alan were on their way to the front but none were heading in that direction quicker than Brian and Vicky, from row nine after their Saturday disaster, and by lap three Brian only had Clint and Matt ahead. Top 750 was Terry and Roy initially being chased by Brian and Trevor and the two Daves. Lap 4 as we rounded Beckets an outfit could be seen heading towards the Hanger Straight – Ray and Ted were on an excursion. At three quarter distance the main battle was somewhere in front of us – once again my arms were in need of replacement, then Ray passed us “oh no” this meant I would have to up the pace to get back in front. We chased him into Maggots – suddenly there was a screech of tyres, the world started to spin – no it was us. I managed to stall the motor and then didn’t have enough energy to bump start the thing. A fantastic race and indeed weekend for Matt and Alan who led every lap of every race. Clint and Ben were second, a great end of year bash for Fuzion (youth), with Brian and Vicky up to third after their big fall out at Snetterton. The 750 brigade were headed this race, and this weekend, by Terry and Roy, the two Daves failing on the last lap, so second went to Steve and Byron. Period 2 winners Russell and Penny, Norton powered.

A truly great year’s racing with some fantastic people. Sadly I have done too much watching but “next year”, which is what I think I said last year! In Period 3 Jon, Nancy and Richard were the team to beat, smooth, consistent and powerful. Period 2 Russell and Penny, their Norton again consistent. Period 1 Steven and Byron after a dodgy start to the year just overhauling the two Daves who had the opposite year – started well then faded.

Thanks to everybody who took part, who raced, laughed and drank (in moderation) together. Thank you all.

Ian Johnson

P.S. Sadly the Bill Barrowcliff Handicap Race didn’t happen this year due to a combination of racing incidents; we had three long red flag situations; fortunately all those injured are making good recoveries; plus stoppage time to clear engine fluids from the circuit at various times from both three and two wheeled machines. Yes, those two wheelers do their share of track lubrication, especially after they’ve spat their rider off and are allowed to run free! Bill, although disappointed is more than happy to re-group at a circuit next year; he will be attending the Dinner Dance so if you see him buy him a drink and thank him for his support.

[Foxy57]

Very nice write up Ian, well done mate!
Don't forget the New Years resolution... Get down the gym and get some arms