Round 4 2023 – Cadwell Park

Who doesn’t like the incredible Cadwell Park, with a mixture of everything we find scummy in a racetrack it provides an ideal playground for our undiluted machinery. With weather looking decidedly iffy, this was going to be a test of nerves and skill (and that was just getting off the field on Sunday!). With the bikes and kit tech tested at our locations by Andy and Sheilagh, which was a godsend, the scene was set. A damp Qualifying was to set the tone for most of the races with Mike Smith slithering round to an impressive pole position ahead of Tony Perkin and Dan Jackson in P3. Jamie O’Brien was the star of the Clubman taking P4 ahead of George Thomas, from current series Clubman leader Matt Hebb P6 with his main rival Robin Stokes sat in P7. John Cragg was first of the 350 chaps in P13 with his compatriot Jack Hebb in P15, Angela Cragg keeping them in check sat between them in P14. Cliff Ransley rounded out the 350’s in P18. 

Through the visor of Perky.

A lap

The warm up lap confirmed that persistent rain actually made for better conditions than the moist qualifying skating rink, and so to the grid. The normal ritual switches on the concentration button in my head, gear selected, checked, rev’s up, light’s out and go!!! My Manx pulled hard and enjoyed a clear track ahead as leading into Charlies One, senses on overdrive, sussing out the available grip, dropping a gear entering Charlies Two cancels the gradient retarding effect, feeding the throttle over the hill and tentatively apply the anchors so as to hug the apex away from the bump’s in this important right hander before the straight then hard on the throttle, tucked in awaiting an attack from behind, check out the markers on the approach then haul on the anchor’s as much as you dare, simultaneously hooking the lower gear’s, tip into the start of Chris’ awesome long right hander, piling on the coals as it open’s out then prepare for the technical Gooseneck, seemingly hitting, pulling, pushing every control on your bike whilst throwing your weight from right to left, avoiding the treacherous painted lines at all costs to power down the Mansfield drop before braking into the difficult off-camber left, feeding in plenty of coals but certainly not using  bellows! If you know what I mean? Next is the bottom gear chicane, a bugger of a thing in both dry and wet, as you can easily end up on yer ear firing out towards the Mountain section, that glorious Mountain section! A delightful swinging left that throws you into the tight right at the base of the Mountain encouraging daring – do full throttle launches, or nearly in the wet, up and over the wicked hill, yum ruddy yum! Flat out from the crown in front of the grandstands to the joyous Hall bends, a combination of positive camber sinuous twisting bend’s emanating in being slued out over the rise and sucked into the super tight hairpin right. Exiting requires a bit of touchy feely as you apply the juice, a short shift through second into third and a brush of the brakes gives respect to this off-cambered final corner, one not to be messed with, before twisting the loud switch to 10, head down, ass up, to the flag and…

Race 1

A well sodden track welcomed the pilots on the warm up lap, a clean start had Perky lead the pack for a couple of laps before Smiffy came slithering past, smooth and stylish, a great rider to tag onto, lap after lap we tango’d not realising Dan Jacko was part of our shadow, with a small mechanical on the last lap Smiffy succumbed to a double flank attack, Jacko coming out on top holding the lead to the flag, we all finishing in those positions, Smiffy on a no points ride allowed Gorgeous George Thomas to take third Championship points finishing P5 overall.

The first of the Clubmen was Jamie O’Brien showing his talent in the slippery condition’s P4 overall and the first to put one over Clubman supremo Matt Hebb this year, though Hebbo still managed to take the runner up points drafting past Robin Stokes to the flag. Andy Glasgow put in a proper shift to finish 4th Clubmen with both shoulder tendons knackered, well ‘ard that! Next was Luke Bailey in P9, this championship rider having a mare of a season, his G50 just not playing ball, keep at it mate. Of the 350’s, John Cragg was having a bit of a boogie with Alex William’s 500 and like a fly attracted to the bright orange novice bib that Alex has to wear Craggy snuck past to take the class win and Alex was to finally burn the bib after his probation period was completed. Jack Hebb took second 350 with Cliff Ransley third after a great dice with the 500 off Ken Perch. 

British Championship		Clubman 500
1st – Dan Jackson		1st – Jamie O’Brien
2nd – Tony Perkins		2nd – Matt Hebb
3rd – George Thomas		3rd – Robin Stokes

Avon Clubman 350		Pre-55
1st – John Cragg		None
2nd – David Hebb
3rd – Cliff Ransley

Race 2

Perky once more got his skates on to lead for most of the race before a very determined GT and Smiffy took advantage of a back marker on the last lap down Mansfield, Perky opting the drier outside line, whilst Wallis and Grommit threw caution to the wind on the damp inside. First to third never tasted so bitter! GT nailed Smiffy over the line by the smallest of margins. Jamie O once again trumped Matty Hebb for top Clubman from ’Steve Austin’ impersonator Andy Glasgow (6 million dollar man) in third. Robin Stokes was hard pressed to keep Angela Cragg at bay, nowt separating the pair at the line, Rob getting the nod. John Cragg once again carved out a calculated race to top the 350 class ahead of the ever youthful Cliffy Ransley. 

British Championship		Clubman 500
1st – George Thomas		1st – Jamie O’Brien
2nd – Tony Perkin		2nd – Matt Hebb
3rd – Luke Bailey		3rd – Andy Glasgow

Avon Clubman 350		Pre-55
1st – John Cragg		None
2nd – Cliff Ransley

Race 3

Georgie Thomas was away at the front with Perky in his shadow, chasing through Hall Bends GT sat up, his primary belt snapped and trailing on the ground his race run, Perky pushed on but all the time behind Smiffy could smell blood, the heaven’s opened big time, Perkies ear’s thrumming to the sound of Smiffy’s machine in the slower parts of the track, he’s close, the laps tick by the rain increases, track yer lines, hold yer nerve, the first lunge came on the last lap at the end of the straight, but the undertake on the corner exit reclaimed a slim lead, out of Mansfield into the chicane came the next show of wheel, close the door hold yer line, slightly defensive through the mountain section pushing as hard he dared followed by the charge to the line and victory, Perkies first ever outright win!

Jamie O again took the Clubmen honours from possibly ride of the day by Seb Perez who coming from the back of the grid to a terrific P4 and second Clubman was some ride, then an equally amazing effort by the croc Andy Glasgow. Angela Cragg is coming into form the more she acclimatises to her latest Manx with more to come I’m sure. Johnny Cragg once again took the 350 easily from Cliff Ransley as Jack Hebb retired ‘pissed and broke’ (piston totally detached from the rod, a right mess but Jack’s the man to get it ship-shape again.

British Championship		Clubman 500
1st – Tony Perkin		1st – Jamie O’Brien
2nd – Mike Smith		2nd – Sebastian Perez
		3rd – Andy Glasgow

Avon Clubman 350		Pre-55
1st – John Cragg		None
2nd – Cliff Ransley

Race 4

A dry track opened its arms to the pilots, the pace increased and the battle began. Perky lead for the first couple of laps before a slowing engine allowed a very determined Matt Hebb passed down the back straight, followed by a rampaging GT after starting from the back of the grid in a real show of strength, although Matty was right in the mood and keeping his head lead to the flag from Championship numero uno GT whilst Perky nursed the bike to P3 and 2nd in class, lucky as later found the engine main bearing was collapsing.

Jamie O rounded off a terrific weekend p4 and second Clubman from that man Robin Stokes third in class. Seb Perez just held off Nick Bedford in a terrific race long battle. Further back Mike Farrall has been working on his beautiful G50 getting it up to speed and did well to hold off a combined Richard Dawson, Paul Stephen attack, both these riders getting quicker the more time they have their asses in the saddle. Johnny Cragg luxuriated in a 350 clean sweep the last survivor of the class.

British Championship		Clubman 500
1st – George Thomas		1st – Matt Hebb
2nd – Tony Perkin		2nd – Jamie O’Brien
		3rd – Robin Stokes

Avon Clubman 350		Pre-55
1st – John Cragg		None

To summarise;

A superb track in very testing conditions, superb marshalling and organisation, the full race programme completed on time. A promise of more races in the BMCRC next year if we want them bodes well and again the Lansdowne spirit is riding high, thank you Stuart & Gill Tonge for Tech and results, Andy & Shelagh Reynolds for scrutineering, Ian Bain for the trophies and the ’Team’ for organising, then last but not least young Harrison Thomas for handing out the trophies.

Next up Anglesey by the sea, let’s go !