Round 5 2024 – Cadwell Park

As the UK enjoyed all four seasons in one weekend the Lansdowner’s enjoyed the rollercoaster that is Cadwell Park, a small but select entry made the most of their track time honing their skills in the constantly changing conditions. A damp qualifying session saw Tony Perkin head the field by over a second. Perky, renowned for his liking of dodgy conditions, possibly down to his dodgy past of escape and evasion from the authorities relishes slippy track’s and nailed P1. In P2 was the latest pocket rocket from the Ripley Land stable, Graham Higlett who tick’s all the boxes. The flying Higgy is proper fast and a real nice guy to boot. Both he and his better half Elain a welcome addition to the Lansdowne family. Dan Jackson backed up his current blue vein of form on his G50 with Jacko taking P3 from one of Cornwall’s finest brewers Luke Bailey.

Leading the Clubman was Richard Dawson in P5 who was a fraction ahead of Matt Hebb out on his Dad’s bike which sounded cleaner than the coughing and spluttering Matt! A smidge better time than Clubman points leader Stuart Tonge, all three within half a second. P8 was Robin Stokes with Alex Williams right on his tail in P9. Brian Riley is improving race by race with ‘by-gum’, the northerner loving his progression. Simon Hocking showed determination after driving 10 1/2 hours to the meeting then struggling with suspension woes. Back of the pack was Angela ‘all I need is a parrot and I’ll be a proper pirate with this limp’ Cragg, a real tough nut that girl, just riding a lap to qualify then saving her strength for the main events.

Race 1 & 2 Saturday

After an 11 bike pile up in the mini-twins session over the mountain with thankfully all walking away, a red flag and long delay ensued. The stewards decided that everyone would get one long race, with points awarded for position after the first four laps and same again after the end of the race? So two sets of points on the table in this unusual format.

A wet track got the attention of everyone as we waited the start lights, there was no holding back from the line, but everybody’s focus was on the first fast left hander in treacherous conditions so needed to be treated with kid gloves, everybody round safely we drop a gear or two, flip-flop from left to right and tiptoe around Charlies onto Charlies two, at the sharp end, Jacko had Perky and Higgy all over him with the chasing pack close behind. Higgy would make part one of the race and third trophy but not the end as electrical gremlins struck. Jacko took the first win but Perky, after a first corner slide, settled into the moist track and ended up with the ‘chicken dinner’ (winner winner) at the finish. Robin Stokes was first of the Clubman in third overall, and first clubman in both parts, a real man for all seasons, at least that’s what he tells me! Great to see cool hand Luke Bailey third in the Championship class in the second part, a top rider who’s has unfairly been hit by too many mechanical dnf’s. Steve Parrott rode a great race taking the second in both parts followed in the first part by Richard Dawson who was really pleased with his second in class trophy. In the Clubman 500, Stuart tongue did his championship hopes no harm finishing third in the second part. Incredibly Angela Craig somehow dragged herself around the track to get good points in both before finishing in her now usual green colour through pain. Brian Riley was all smiles in the Pre 55 scooping both winners trophies with some real good steady riding.

Steve Parrott leads a close pack of Clubmans
Photo © Bourne Photo
Tony Perkin leads Dan Jackson as they search for a dry line as they head in to the trees.
Photo © Bourne Photo

Race 1 results (4 laps)

British ChampionshipClubman 500
1st – Dan Jackson1st – Robin Stokes
2nd – Tony Perkin2nd – Steve Parrott
3rd – Graham Higlett3rd – Stuart Tonge
Pre 55
1st – Brian Riley

Race 2 results (8 laps)

British ChampionshipClubman 500
1st – Tony Perkin1st – Robin Stokes
2nd – Dan Jackson2nd – Steve Parrott
3rd – Luke Bailey3rd – Richard Dawson
Pre 55
1st – Brian Riley

Race 3 Sunday

We took to the grid in dry conditions, a clean start by everybody had Dan and Higgy push on at the front showing at clean pair of heels to Perky as both these talented experienced racers diced for the lead. In the end Dan comfortably taking the win at the flag, in third came Perky with a hard charging Steve Parrott not far behind to take a well-deserved Clubman 500 win ahead of the incredible Angela Cragg, although Angela had Richard Dawson and Robin Stokes right on her chuff at the flag. Next home was Angela’s main title rival in the Clubman championship Stuart Tonge. The ailing Matt Hebb was next from Simon Hocking followed by Brian Riley taking another first in the Pre 55.

Tony Perkin (22), Dan Jackson (137) and Graham Higlett (501) once again battle it out for the podium positions
Photo © Bourne Photo
British ChampionshipClubman 500
1st – Dan Jackson1st – Steve Parrott
2nd – Graham Higlett2nd – Angela Cragg
3rd – Tony Perkin3rd – Richard Dawson
Pre 55
1st – Brian Riley

Race 4 Sunday

After waiting for the rain to come, it did, but then, as quickly as it came, the Sun came out and riders were greeted with steam rising off the track as it dried in all but a few places. Dan Jackson was off like a scolded cat with Perky in hot pursuit. With parts of the track still very dodgy, Perky could not see any way past and even after a real charge on the last lap could not overhaul Dan. Higgy had a steady ride into a third, comfortably ahead of first 500 Clubman Richard Dawson. Stuart Tonge was well chuffed to take second in class from Robin Stokes, with Matt Hebb, completing that threesome that crossed the line all within half a second of each other. That man Brian Riley once again took the Pre 55 honours.

The classic Cadwell Park photo of Dan Jackson on to his 3rd win of the weekend
Photo © Bourne Photo
British ChampionshipClubman 500
1st – Dan Jackson1st – Richard Dawson
2nd – Tony Perkin2nd – Stuart Tonge
3rd – Graham Higlett3rd – Robin Stokes
Pre 55
1st – Brian Riley

To sum up our weekend at Cadwell Park, I stepped outside, was hit on the head by a cup of rain, shoulder by a cup of hail, arm by a cup of sunshine, Lou called “what’s the weather like”, I replied ”it’s muggy!”. A fair assessment of the conditions we faced, great racing, much banter with a fantastic Saturday night barbecue where many a sausage and Burger were crucified and consumed. Much alcohol was downed to celebrate Louise Perkin’s birthday, the lucky girl had a watch from Perky who said it’s so she knows what time to put his dinner on the table!! Oh nooooo, I’ve had it now! We roll on to Donington where the party will continue. See you there.

Perky