Tag: British F2

The 2023 A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Round Two Report – Donington Park 13th & 14th May

FSRA

Supported by :- A.V. Craine & Sons; Hegarty Plant Ltd.; Pagid Racing;

Whitby Cottages; Rowtec Engineering Maintenance & Tingle Windows

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Bryan Gough

Championship leaders Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) continued their good form from the opening round at Croft to extend their championship lead, however it was not a straightforward weekend for them, and were forced to play “second fiddle” to team-mates Alan Founds / Jake Lowther (LCR Yamaha), who took the victory in race one. As with Croft though, the unexpected stand-out performance of a wild-card entry generated as much interest as the winners themselves!

Meanwhile, in the F2 Cup, Brian Ilaria / Arlo Brown (DDM Suzuki) opened up a nineteen point advantage at the top of the standings, taking a win and a runners-up placing, with series newcomers James Saunders / Sarah Stokoe (Baker Honda) mirroring these results to jump up the table to displace former leaders Charlie Morphet / William Reilly (LCR Honda), who endured a frustrating weekend with a minor incident on Saturday afternoon ruling them out of the remainder of proceedings.

Despite reasonably decent weather conditions and a dry circuit, opening practice was a fairly steady affair for most teams. Daryl Gibson / Rhys Gibbons (CES Suzuki) having their final outing prior to the T.T. following an intense early season schedule topped the timings, from Sean Hegarty / James Neave (Baker Honda). Steve & Matty Ramsden (LCR Honda) were a further second back in third, ahead of the leading F2 Cup combination of Ilaria / Brown. Founds / Lowther had a miserable outing, with a lack of throttle response, leaving them languishing at the foot of the standings, while Founds / Walmsley were struggling to get their new fairing to fit, and were forced to miss the session in it’s entirety!

Moving onto qualifying, and it was another unfortunate “no show” from Founds / Walmsley, who were frantically working on their fibreglass modifications, resigned to gaining dispensation to start race one from the back of the grid! Again, it was Gibson / Gibbons who set the pace, and were not topped throughout what was a closely contended top four. The revelations were 2021 Championship victors Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie (CES Suzuki), competing as a wild-card. They were running second for much of the session, until being displaced to fourth in the dying stages after returning to the paddock. They were delighted, and surprised many – including their own team – with this being the first ever time the brand new outfit had ever turned a wheel, immediately proving to be competitive at National level – and additionally being almost 12 months since Scott had last competed.

Founds / Lowther placed second, and had been running only 0.002s shy of the pace set by Gibson / Gibbons until the latter put a lap to place them a full second clear, rewarding them with their first pole position in the British Championship together. Hegarty / Neave were only 0.008s down on Founds / Lowther in third, with Crawford / Hardie 0.017s further in arrears. Continuing their strong start to the weekend, Ilaria / Brown were fifth, the Ramsdens sixth and the Manx team of Mike Jackson / Jake Roberts (DMR Suzuki) seventh. Lining up eighth, and the second of the Cup teams were Bob Dawson / Matt Sims (LCR Honda), ahead of reigning Cup Champions Rob Atkinson / Shane Colbrook (Bellas Honda) – Shane once again deputising for regular passenger Mark Middleton who is currently sidelined due to work commitments. The top ten was rounded out by veteran wild-card campaigner John Saunders / Ben Stell (Shelbourne Honda).

Finally the sun shone, as the opening ten lap race got underway on Saturday afternoon. Something of a raggy start saw Founds / Lowther storm off to an enviable early lead, while Gibson / Gibbons led the rest of the pack. There was a torrid start for Crawford / Hardie, with the driver inadvertently hitting the kill switch. Thankfully, while they avoided being hit by faster starting outfits, they did drop to the very back of the field – this was a stark contrast to a flying start from the very back for Founds / Walmsley who were immediately up inside the top ten at the start of lap two!

With clear air and no pressure, Founds / Lowther were stretching away at the front, and Gibson / Gibbons were also in a relaxed second place, as the Ramsdens began to fade slightly with something of an intermittent misfire. By lap four, Founds / Walmsley had moved inside the top six, and similarly Crawford / Hardie had overcome the midfield traffic, to move into the top ten where the F2 Cup podium battle was raging between the likes of Dave Schofield / Josh Smith (Bellas Yamaha); Saunders / Stokoe; Saunders / Stell; Morphet / Reilly and Dawson / Sims.

Unfortunately, there was a retirement for the 2022 F.S.R.A. F2 Pre-Injection Championship winners Andy Bingham / Steven Dalton (Shelbourne Suzuki) on lap five, joined shortly thereafter by Atkinson / Colbrook and fellow series newcomers Paul D’Henin / Gary Wheeler (DDM Suzuki). Lap eight saw frustration for Schofield / Smith, whilst running second in the Cup they were forced to pull out as they were bumped by another outfit, compromising the integrity of the back of their fairing, whilst Dawson / Sims suffered mechanical failure at the same time. Morphet / Reilly were also forced out of proceedings on the penultimate lap.

At three-quarter distance, all eyes were on the top four machines, with lap times not quite telling the story of track position! Founds / Lowther were still leading the way, but elder sibling Founds / Walmsley were on the move, having displaced Gibson / Gibbons to third, they were now lapping around a full second quicker than the leaders, and indeed broke their own lap record to a new best of 1:12.390 on lap eight. As the last lap flag came out, Crawford / Hardie set their personal best time of the race, although they still had a margin of around three seconds to gain on Gibson / Gibbons – surely not a possible task in 1.957 miles?

The Founds outfits crossed the line astern – Alan & Jake just holding on from Pete & Jevan to the delight of their sizable entourage! Meanwhile Crawford / Hardie had managed to get the better of “CES Stablemates” Gibson / Gibbons, outbraking them at The Esses to take the final step on the podium. With their misfire worsening, the Ramsdens were just happy to cross the line ten seconds further back in fifth, while less than 0.2s was the gap between Jackson / Roberts and seventh placed Gary Horspole / Kenny Cole (Baker Suzuki). Ilaria / Brown took 25 points for the Cup win, placing eighth overall, ahead of Saunders / Stell in ninth, with Saunders (jnr) / Stokoe completing both the overall top ten and the Cup podium. It had been an enjoyable and unpredictable race all the way down the field, with battles and permulations to keep competitors and spectators interested throughout!

With a top-six grid reversal for Race Two, pole-sitters Jackson / Roberts and fellow front row starters the Ramsdens blasted away side-by-side. However, leading into Redgate were Founds / Walmsley, who had started fifth, audaciously driving round the outside of all those in front of them! Slotting into second on the approach to Craner Curves were Crawford / Hardie, with the Ramsdens third. Coming from the back of the grid into the midfield were Hegarty / Neave, while there was a decent getaway for Wayne Lockey / Ben Binns (LCR Honda), who were looking to improve on their finish of eleventh on Saturday.

At the end of lap one, there was a slender margin between leaders Founds / Walmsley and Crawford / Hardie – the latter crew being delighted having set their fastest ever time around Donington Park in the morning warm-up. Founds / Lowther overcame the outfits of Jackson / Roberts and the Ramsdens to find themselves third on the road, but had some work to do to close a gap of almost four seconds to the leaders.

Attrition rates had been high in race one, however the second outing saw seventeen teams make it to the chequered flag, with only three forced out with mechanical gremlins. Sadly, despite showing good pace, Dawson / Sims were retirements to pit lane on lap four, with Gibson / Gibbons – who had been running fifth – ruled out with a dropped valve, and Bingham / Dalton were the final retirement as the race drew onto its final lap.

Crawford / Hardie tried everything to make a move on Founds / Walmsley, and with these two crews doing close battle, Founds / Lowther were making the most of a clear circuit to pull the gap back to the leaders to little more than a second as the last lap flag flew. However, the five times champions had just enough power exiting The Esses as they charged towards the finish line to keep Crawford / Hardie at bay with a margin of 0.359s to land the prestigious “Bill Boddice Trophy”. Founds / Lowther came in third, with the consolation of setting the fastest lap of the race.

The Ramsdens were happy with fourth, this consistency seeing their championship points tally increase to 65, into a safe third place for the time being. Hegarty / Neave pulled through the field to place fifth, with Horspole / Cole taking sixth, their best result of 2023 to date. Jackson / Roberts took seventh, while Lockey / Binns were happy with eighth – four finishes from as many starts being a huge relief following the torrid luck they endured during the latter part of their campaign last season. Ninth overall, with their first ever win in the F2 Cup were Saunders / Stokoe, with Ilaria / Brown second in class and tenth overall. Schofield / Smith were only 0.435s in arrears, completing the Cup podium and taking eleventh position.

On behalf of the F.S.R.A., I would – as always – like to express thanks to our loyal series sponsors: The A.C.U. for awarding the official “British Championship” title, along with A.V. Craine & Son; Hegarty Plant Ltd; Pagid Racing (Breitenbach Rennsport); Rowtec Engineering Maintenance; Whitby Cottages and Tingle Windows.

Finally, the F.S.R.A. would like to thank N.G.R.R.C. for hosting, and to all their dedicated officials, marshals, medics and all the other volunteers involved in running the event. There now follows a short six week break to accommodate the Isle of Man T.T. Races. All involved with the F.S.R.A. wish all competitors and teams involved at the T.T. a safe and successful fortnight. Round three of the series will be held on Saturday 24th June at Oulton Park, hosted by Wirral 100 Motor Club.

Super F2 Points

F2 Cup Points

The 2023 A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Round Two Preview – Donington Park – Saturday 13th & Sunday 14th May

FSRA

Supported By:- A.V. Craine & Sons; Hegarty Plant Ltd.; Pagid Racing; Whitby Cottages; Rowtec Engineering Maintenance & Tingle Windows

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photos – Bryan Gough

Round two of the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship sees teams head for their traditional mid-May visit to Donington Park. Running on the shorter “National” configuration, teams will do battle in a ten lap race each day, with the presitigious “Bill Boddice Trophy” being awarded – last year this was seized by Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie – who took both race wins, although they were hounded by Pete Founds / Jake Lowther, who broke the lap record several times in their pursuit.

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2023 A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Round One Review – Croft – 1st & 2nd April

FSRA

Supported by :- A.V. Craine & Sons; Hegarty Plant Ltd.; Pagid Racing;

Whitby Cottages; Rowtec Engineering Maintenance & Tingle Windows

Pete Founds & Jevan Walmsley

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Bryan Gough

A new season began for the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship at Croft over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd April with N.E.M.C..R.C.. Reigning Champions Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) showed that they meant business from the outset, topping the timesheets in every session – landing pole, both race wins and a new F2 lap record in an unblemished start to their campaign.

Meanwhile, in the F2 Cup, whilst not taking championship points, wild cards Kieran Clark / Andrew Johnson (Windle Yamaha) put their thirty year old carburetted outfit way in front of the registered teams, mixing it with the top Super F2 teams in both outings, providing some excellent entertainment.

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2023 A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship To Get Underway At Croft Circuit

FSRA

Supported by :- A.V. Craine & Sons; Hegarty Plant Ltd.; Pagid Racing; Whitby Cottages; Rowtec Engineering Maintenance & Tingle Windows

Round One – Croft – N.E.M.C.R.C. Saturday 1st & Sunday 2nd April

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Dirk Wharton

A new season begins for the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship at Croft over the weekend of the 1st and 2nd April with N.E.M.C..R.C. – the annual visit to the popular North Yorkshire circuit is almost five months earlier than usual, with the “Battle Of Britain” meeting moving to Cadwell Park this year – an event at which the series will also be present.

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British F2 Sidecar Championships Decided In Dramatic Knockhill Finale

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – David Johnston

Congratulations to Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) and Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) who sealed the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship and F2 Cup respectively following the penultimate race of the series on Saturday 10th September. However the day was not without drama – especially for Founds / Walmsley who despite a disappointing retirement were able to seal the title as Lee Crawford / Jake Lowther (LCR Suzuki) took a dominant win, with closest rivals Steve & Matty Ramsden (LCR Honda) taking third – meaning they were mathematically unable to catch the series leaders on the eve of the final race.

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championships To Be Decided At Knockhill

FSRA

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Sid Diggins

Already the final round of the series is upon us this coming weekend (10th & 11th September) – it’s a cliché to say it but this season has flown past! Whilst last time out at Croft both the Super and Cup classes could have seen new champions crowned, misfortune on Sunday for Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) and Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) has kept both series alive. The aforementioned teams only require a handful of points to seal the titles, so will be hoping to do so in Saturday’s opening race.

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Croft – 20th & 21st August

FSRA

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Ste McNorton

While the opening day could not have been better for the respective Super and F2 Cup teams of Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) and Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) both taking maximum points in their sections, Sunday was a different matter. With the former crew failing to finish, and the latter unable to make the start, both titles will now not be decided until the final round at Knockhill next month.

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Croft – 20th & 21st August Preview

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photos – Bryan Gough

Croft Circuit in North Yorkshire holds the penultimate round of the series – a year which has seen mixed fortunes for several teams. However, overall series leaders Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) have been especially consistent, and go into the weekend with a 56 point lead over nearest rivals Steve & Matty Ramsden (LCR Honda). Meanwhile in the F2 Cup, Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) have gone the whole year unbeaten, with a 60 point advantage over Brian Ilaria / Arlo Brown (DDM Suzuki). Mathematically with just 100 points available, it is possible either or both series could be sown up this weekend, but would require many other crews to suffer non-finishes.

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Holden & Lowther Win Steve Norbury Trophy At Cadwell Park’s Sidecar Revival

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer)

A weekend of high drama on the 6th and 7th August in perfect weather conditions saw three action packed races for the A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship. While Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) extended their championship lead to 56 points – with only 100 remaining – it was consistency over the weekend for John Holden / Jake Lowther (LCR Yamaha) who landed the “Steve Norbury Trophy” after accumulating the most points of the registered teams. Meanwhile, runaway F2 Cup leaders Rob Atkinson / Mark Middleton (Bellas Yamaha) maintained their perfect record in class, winning all three races to require just 40 points from the last four races to seal the title.

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Entry List for the Revival (including Solos)

Thanks to the office at Bemsee, we have the entry list for all classes this weekend coming at the Sidecar Revival.

LIVE TIMING WILL BE ON THIS PAGE ALONG WITH THE TIMETABLES

CLICK CONTINUE READING FOR THE PADDOCK LAYOUT MAP

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Round Four Preview

FSRA

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Ste McNorton

With the series at it’s halfway stage, the teams head to what is unarguably their “flagship event” of the year at Cadwell Park, with three points scoring races and a potential 75 points up for grabs which could prove pivotal in the chase for the final placings in both the Super and Cup sections of this two tier championship.

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Rain Stops Play At Anglesey In British F2 Sidecar Championship Round Three

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Ste McNorton

The championship visited the popular circuit of Anglesey for the first time in three years – owing to Covid-19 restrictions preventing a round at the Welsh island in the previous two seasons. Similar to the 2019 event, strong winds made for tricky conditions on Saturday, while on Sunday weather conditions worsened resulting in abandonment of the meeting without any action on circuit.

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Sidecar Championship – Round Three Preview

Words – Tim Langham / Photographs – Ste McNorton

Round three of the series resumes on the 25th and 26th June at Anglesey Circuit, North Wales, this event following something of a sombre fortnight at the Isle of Man T.T. Races, where three sidecar competitors sadly lost their lives. The thoughts and condolences of all at the F.S.R.A. go out to the families, friends and teams involved, and no doubt there will be much reflection and memories shared over the course of the weekend.

It has been a long three years since the last visit of the British F2 Sidecars to Anglesey – obviously no thanks to the global pandemic. While the series was successfully run in 2021, unfortunately the planned visit to the Welsh island had to be cancelled owing to devolved government restrictions still being in place when the event was scheduled.

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A.C.U. / F.S.R.A. British F2 Teams To Battle For Bill Boddice Trophy

FSRA

Words – Tim Langham (F.S.R.A. Press Officer) / Photographs – Paul Hunt

Following an eventful season opener at Brands Hatch, the series resumes at Donington Park on the 14th and 15th May, once again with host club N.G.R.R.C..

The weekend will not only see teams fiercely battling for championship points, but the winners of race two will be awarded the “Bill Boddice Trophy”, which reigning champions Lee Crawford / Scott Hardie (LCR Suzuki) will be hoping to defend having taken two dominant wins at this meeting last season. However, they did not have things all their own way at Brands, where Pete Founds / Jevan Walmsley (LCR Honda) took a brace of wins to top the standings by fourteen points.

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