Round 6 2025 – Brands Hatch

Funny old game this bike racing lark! The preparation of body, mind and machine in readiness to test every sense, with reward in spades for the rider and supporters, every event a test like no other with little chance to predict the outcome. It might be just an observation, but like that one particular squirrel in our garden that’s ‘eating all the nuts’,  I think we’ve a similar situation in Lansdowne, mmmm? 

Ecstasy or deflation a race away, pitting your skill against another rider engages endorphins to course through your veins putting a smile on even Mick Baldwin’s face 🙂 When it goes right there’s no other feeling like it and we want more but unfortunately CRMC’s Brands Hatch meeting was our season closing finale and curtain closer, let’s see what happened?

September at Brands Hatch in the Sunshine – yes please! A healthy entry of 25 riders battled the M25 to find the iconic track in great condition and paddock banter flowing. After set up, bikes scrutineered, kit checked, the program listed Lansdowne first out, and so with clear skies interrupted only by the odd Spitfire flying over, a nip in the air bode well for our qualifying session.

With quite a few riders not passing the noise test including current champ Dan Jackson, the Qualifying session was a little light. The flying Mark Taylor was in no mood to back off and took P1 from Perky as Super Clubman Jake Dettloff took P3 from a very impressive Domi mounted Sam Rhodes with Graham Higlett P5. Richard Hann hammered his Pre-55 bike round to take P6 from the classy Sam Bennett on his Norton hard tail – an incredible sight to watch as he his riding style mirrors the early hero’s as he stay’s tucked in and immaculate. Alex Williams, Justin Keen, Simon Hocking and Stuart Tonge all within a gnat’s todger of each other filling the middle of the grid. A surprise entry from Maria Costelo MBE saw her enjoy staying ahead of Young Seb Perez or was it he enjoyed following her? Ken Perch, Derek ‘Biggles’ Bunning and Mick ’smiler’ Baldwin kept ahead of the entertaining wonder-bah Torsten Busch.

Race 1

A great start launch off the line by most riders but that butt clenching first drop into Paddock bend had Taylor takes the holeshot with Higlett out the trap like a whippet from P5 – right on Taylors chuff with Perky, Dan and Jake equally close. In fact most the grid were equally close but clean through this notorious first bend. Sam Bennett on his Norton Inter was well impressive against the later Manx’s and G50’s with his pre-war bike kicking ass much to his amusement along with another Sam, Mr Rhodes on his Domi using 100% of its capability, really talented riders the pair of them. Richard Hann had a super start but soon succumbed to double ’Sam’ pressure as both forged past, as did Simon Hocking chasing 500 clubman points and even though Alex Williams was flying, Simon held fast to the flag. As Taylor romped away at the front, Higlett tried to match his pace only for his Tony Dunnell Manx to unusually loose sparks and DNF. Meanwhile Stuart Tonge piled on the coals but struggled to get past a determined Hann as Richard Dawson had a shadow in the form of Harry Cole most of the race with the pair finishing as one, Richard just holding on to eleventh. Maria Costello was very welcome on a Molnar Manx, smooth as ever she really enjoyed riding a proper bike! Our top 350 pilot Seb Perez Jnr once again put in a great performance to take top honours as Ken Perch held off the attentions of semi-smiling Mick Baldwin and the always smiling Torsten Busch.

Race 2

As Mark Taylor sat on the start line thinking of what shade of green to paint his nails to match his riding kit, Perky snatched the hole shot with Dan and Jake in close pursuit as Mark tagged on behind. It took a lap for Mark to despatch Jake and Dan before he was on Perky’s wheel. Following for another lap, a mistake from Perky found him floundering whilst negotiating a bunny hop over the rumble strip onto the raised asphalt after checking out the very limits of the track? Mark took full advantage up the inside throwing Perky a beaming smile and a flick of the thumb, that was pure filth from the Cockney Corker but very funny! As Dan protected his line into the glorious Paddock Hill bend the smallest gap allowed Perky to just get on the throttle a smidge before him, they both slingshot down to the compression with us both having the rear tyres squirm. Holding the same gear, throttle cables taut, we approach Druids hairpin with just enough to make a clean dive for the inside line Perky railed the bend with Dan having to take the longer offside line. Exiting up Perky’s chuff, Dan found the inside line into the next left but closed off and knowing it was Perky’s bogie bend it was a chance gone. Then with a little help from a back marker Perky was able to stay in front to the flag taking second to the incredible Mark Taylor. Jake Dettloff continued to improve and as such has secured the Clubman Championship and is in great shape for his move to the Championship class next year. Very fast lad. Sam Rhodes had a right battle overhauling Sam Bennett, Bennett just ahead for half the race before Rhodes pulled past and opened a gap with Bennett able to stay ahead of the titanic mid pack battle between Hocking, Williams and Tonge – all three finishing in that order only 0.7 between them! Cole and Dawson just behind once again entertained the crowd with Dawson just staying ahead. Tony Jimenez had a good ride and enjoyed his duelling with Steve Higgins before Steve DNF’d leaving Seb Perez Jnr on his 350 beating up Ken Perch, Mick Baldwin and our super German friend Torsten Busch.

Race 3

No messing this time as Taylor was off like a shot leading all race to the flag leaving Perky, Jacko and Jake to get all lovey-dovey for most of the race with Graeme Higlett firing through the field to catch our little group. But he was in no mood for cuddles and literally flew past with Elaine Higlett making like a windmill hanging off the pit wall in encouragement! He then pulled away for a superb second place. Perky snatching third after a mid-race lap when Jacko, and Jake came past as Perky caught his boot on the gear-lever and ended up doing a two foot stoppie into the hairpin and going very wide. Jake nearly wet himself laughing as he passed the stricken rider, but after regaining his composure Perky passed Jake and got within deodorant sniffing distance of Jacko, only to nip past on the last lap. With the two Sam’s DNF’ing it was Richard Hann who took the bull by the horns and took 6th overall on his Triton after a tremendous mid-pack battle with Alex Williams, Richard Dawson, Simon Hocking, Harry Cole and Stuart Tonge. This a battle that has raged all season long with each rider equally quick giving great racing. Tony Jimenez enjoyed his race keeping young Seb Perez at bay whilst Ken Perch held off Mick Baldwin and Derek Bunning and Torsten Busch.

Race 4

Guess who resembled a scolded cat? – that man Mark Taylor, in front of his lovely family and sponsor Andy Astley he wrapped up his glorious year with yet another flag to flag win. There’s going to be a lot of dieting and training for next season by everyone else if they want to sniff this man next year, for sure! What a season. Graham Higlett once again put on a classy performance to take second leaving Max Symonds, Dan, Jake and Perky to pick up the scraps finishing in that order. The mid-pack battle had Stefan Radakovic hold off the pack of Alex Williams, Richard Dawson, Simon Hocking and Stuart Tonge with Tony Jimenez just off their pace but getting closer as he familiarises himself with his new Manx. Seb Perez Jnr rounded off his superb season having gained so much experience and speed on his way to the 350 title. Ken Perch had a jolly battle with Mick Baldwin to round out their successful season.

Next up we have the AGM and ‘Dinner and Awards Presentation’ which will have a new twist on it this year? Phone the Hotel now to get booked in, see the website for details.

Thank you to all of our supporters, sponsor’s and riders for a fantastic season.

Thanks to Andy and Richard Molnar at MPL for their advice at the meeting and quality parts keeping our bikes alive and also congratulations to Richard for taking the CRMC 500cc title in their 30th year of producing Manx parts.

Thanks to Jamie at Windy Shed for tyre fitting and support.

Thanks to CRMC for another fantastic meeting and look forward to many more next year.

Thanks to Andy and the scrutineers, also Marshalls and Medics for keeping us safe.

Lastly thank you to Team Lansdowne for making this happen.

Cheers

Tony Perkin