Racing with friends, sunshine, barbie, banter and music – not a bad way to spend a weekend!
A well organised test day for some was a great interlude to what was to come at a sun kissed Snetterton. The organising NG club was the finely oiled machine that controlled proceedings and ensured we had a safe competitive time.
We have a new alien in our midst, and he comes with a cockney accent Rodney!! The super smooth Mark Taylor took full advantage of his home track knowledge and well prepared Oakdene Classic Racing Manx. No-one could touch him. Right now, where’s that lap record, ave-ittttt!! A 2:12.892 around Snett is incredible but Mark’s on fire and riding superbly, Team owner Andy Astley must be over the moon. Tony Dunnell’s Apollo 9 was launched with pilot Graham Higlett on board, and didn’t he like the 18” wheels/ tyres combo. Graham looked smooth and very fast, Elain commenting “he’s on fire”. It’s great to see Graham gel with a bike that shows his talent. Talking of talent, Peter Bardell rode the wheels of The Ripley Land G50, in fact recorded the fastest ever time a G50 has been round Snett 300, but there was no catching those pesky Manx’s. The same story for our current champion Dan Jackson who is destroying foot-rests, knee sliders and tyres in a valiant effort to smell the ‘virgin’ air as the race leader.
Photo © Jackie Benstead
In the Clubman class Justin Keen is on a mission, he really wants the Clubman crown and is pushing hard but safe. It’s going to take something special to halt this determined rider but don’t discount Jake Dettloff, who is still working out the puzzle on how to make these bikes really work, but when he does he is going to be a top trump (not that Trump!)
Simon Hocking had a great productive weekend, dialling in his Manx suspension under the watchful eye of Dan Jackson, well done Dan you made a travel weary rider (7 hours each way) both faster and happier. This applies to anyone, if you have an issue with your bike don’t be afraid to ask any of the front runners who might just have the answer.
The battles behind the front pack are often the best with folk like Robin Stokes who I think would also make the most fantastic ‘one-man band’. Stevie Parrot, Seb Perez, Stuart Tonge and a vastly improved Alex Williams all really talented pilots who trust each other, allowing super close action and then throw in Ian Bain on his 1928 girder fork Norton CS1 flying machine and let the best man win!
Photo © Jackie Benstead
In the 350 class the same applies, Jack Hebb is the wily old fox keeping the latest snapper’s off his heel’s, throw Ken Perch in the mix and there’s some fun to be had, but round by round Mark Harrington and Seb Perez Jr are learning from the masters, in fact young Seb knocked it out of the park taking seven seconds off his lap time in the last race, must be all that guitar twanging building his confidence so look out Dad, young Seb is coming for ya!
Massive respect to our German friend Torsten Bosch and his wife who not only has the coolest Norton transfer on his van but a beautifully prepared bike as well, fantastic effort.
Photo © Jackie Benstead
A lap of Snetterton through the visor of Tony Perkin
After a dead last start, I was determined to get a good launch off the line. Threading through quite a few of the riders ahead I managed to thread the needle through the first corner, I knew it was imperative to take as many riders as possible through the first couple of corners so max drive, max brakes and at the hairpin saw me take another three riders. Of course riding this hard so early in the race with temperatures soaring gave the 19-inch Avons a proper hard time, and so onto Palmers the next left. I found this really tricky all weekend, especially with traffic thrown in the mix.
I really pushed on for the next three or four laps before sighting Jake Dettloff ahead. I smiled to myself as he looked back, and I could physically see him react and push on. Spurred on I set after him. My tyres, both back and front (especially the front) protesting, making holding my line very difficult. But still Jake looked back and still the gap decreased until on the last lap I was on him, and then entering the long back straight the front tucks wildly and I’m so close to going down but it only adds to the excitement! I’m close enough to be a barnacle on Jake’s left bum cheek, he signals with a pat on his arse!
After drafting a while I make my move to power past approaching Lansdowne Superfan Tosten Bosch just before hitting the brakes. I faced the choice to take the inside line and ensure I stay ahead of Jake or the safe outside line and after preaching to everybody about safe competitive riding, I would’ve been slaughtered if Torsten had a mishap! Of course, this didn’t feature in Jake’s plan and he took what turned out to be the safe inside line, relegating me to the barnacle situation again. However Jake is a quick learner and took advantage of my previous very tight line in the bomb hole, giving him a clear lead into Coram. My Manx tortured front tire protested setting in that awful front end chatter around Coram’s ripples, giving no chance to out-brake Jake into the last corner and no hope of a sprint to the line. We cross the line both satisfied we had given what we had and reaped the reward of a fantastic personal race.
Race 1 Results
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Justin Keen | |
| 2nd – Graham Higlett | 2nd – Jake Dentoff | |
| 3rd – Peter Bardell | 3rd – Robin Stokes |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Seb Perez Jnr | 1st – Ian Bain | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | 2nd – David Hebb | |
| 3rd – Torsten Busch |
Race 2 Results
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Justin Keen | |
| 2nd – Graham Higlett | 2nd – Jake Dentoff | |
| 3rd – Peter Bardell | 3rd – Seb Perez |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Seb Perez Jnr | 1st – Ian Bain | |
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | 2nd – David Hebb | |
| 3rd – Torsten Busch |
Race 3 Results
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Justin Keen | |
| 2nd – Graham Higlett | 2nd – Jake Dentoff | |
| 3rd – Peter Bardell | 3rd – Robin Stokes |
| Clubman 350 | ||
| 1st – Seb Perez Jnr | ||
| 2nd – Mark Harrington | ||
| 3rd – Torsten Busch |
To summarise
A great Saturday night had folk turn perfectly good ingredients into charcoal on the communal barbie, sup a few ales, talk cobbler-bollox whilst being entertained by the band. What’s not to like?
We all owe our gratitude to the hosting NG club,Track Staff, Marshall’s and Red Cross for a friendly but professional weekends racing.
To Oakdene for delivering the hospitality trailer and Mark Harrington for looking after it. The incredible Sally, Louise, Gill, Paul and Elaine who sort our paperwork and computer stuff.
Thank you to all the sponsors also a special mention to Andy Molnar at MPL who keeps our bikes on track producing quality parts with service to match, I emailed Andy on a Sunday and the parts arrive the next day.
As the meat of the season approaches let’s make the most of it. Get your entries in asap for Pembrey which is just around the corner, then our fly away discounted event the Bob Mac and then the Hill climb at Shelsley for a bit of fun
Finally, thank you one and all for supporting myself and the Lansdowne team, helping us keep this the best Classic series on the planet.
Cheers
Perky
