Race Report, LCRRC, Whilton Mill, 13th April 2008

 2008 See's the new combined championship format, and the huge number of riders seemed to confirm it's popularity, all that could possible go wrong was the April weather, which obliged with the usual 4 seasons in one day. Spirits didn't seem to be dampened however, and judging by some of the racing, 2008 is going to be a cracker.
 
The Juniors seemed to always line up on the grid just as the worst rain came, which would go someway to explaining how the top five Junior A's all saw a top three finish at some point in the three races! The rider with the most wins was Zak Corderoy, however, a lowly eighth place finish in race three, saw him bumped down to 2nd overall, while top spot on the podium went to a very consistent Liam Delves, with two second places and a win. Usual front runner, Jake Archer seemed to be having a miserable old day of it, and finished way down in 5th, while 3rd overall went to Lewis Hairsine-Guilbert. The Junior B's saw a little more consistency with Ryan Brain [one of the Phoenix Academy riders from 2007 to make an impact] coming out on top, only beaten once by 2nd place overall, Joe Francis, Ben Joseph rode well to claim 3rd overall, despite not being at the Saturday practice, although he was beaten once by 4th place man, Edward Anthill.
 
As always, the excellent 4.2hp Senior class was busy, not to mention hard fought, the A catagory saw Ben Prati come out on the top step of the podium, but both the 2nd place rider, Kenny Roberts [no, seriously!] and Luke Walker, 3rd overall both had a race win. Prati, however, had the consistency with a win the two second places. The B catagory saw reigning champion, Andy Weeden take top spot from 2007 British Champion, Neil Harrison, who's two race wins were let down by a lowly finish in race one, which was taken by Steve King, his first ever race win, however, King's day went quickly down-hill from there with two DNF's, 3rd overall was a very consistent Hayden Brown. The Air-Cooled class, which was sharing the grid, saw Jack Keen stamp his authority on the class, only beaten once by 2nd overall, Andrew Rumsam, Jade Spncer claimed 3rd overall, but we suspect more is to come from the Blackburn "lass".
 
Junior Supermoto again threw up mixed results, with Declan Eastwood taking two wins, however, it was a DNF in race two, which was enough, given how close the racing was, to bump him down to 4th overall. The top dog on the day was Lewis Wilkinson, with one win and two second places, Sam Houlton came in 2nd overall while Daryl Harrison was 3rd, another worth mention was Carl Mitchel, who managed a third place in race two. More is to come from this class for sure.
 
The ever popular Production classes were as busy as always, and the "junior" A class saw Zak Corderoy get his revenge for his missing the top spot in the juniors, with a pretty comfortable 1st place, only beaten once by the increasing impressive Ryan Brain, who came 3rd overall. 2nd place belonged to the likeable, and as fast as always, Ben Joseph, who only had 5 mins track time before he got stuck into the racing! The Production B class was another good one for Ben Prati, with two wins and a second place, Jack Keen was 2nd, and the only person to beat Prati all day, Greg Clark and Ryan Clark seemed to be at it hammer and tongue, with Greg doing enough to take 3rd overall, the other worthy mention is Jamie Perrin for his second place in race one, however, Jamie finished the day down in 5th. The Production C class was another tough one, with the top five riders all taking a top three place at some point in the day, two wins and a fourth was enough for 1st place man, Richard Holmes-Williams, Steve King saw his day improve in this class with another race win, and a 2nd overall, not to mention a trophy for his trouble! Matt Bradshaw came 3rd, which in fairness was helped a little by inconsistency from Chris Spin and Andy Weeden.
 
The Conti Cup UK has produced riders like Scott Redding [2003 Champion] and Harry Stafford [2005 Champion] to name but two, and has always been a joy to watch, 2008 doesn't look like it's going to be any different! New boy, Harry Hartley [1st overall] and Joe Irving were wheel to wheel on more than one occasion, and finished a half a wheel apart in race one, Devon Turner [3rd overall] was in the fray, as was new boy Joe Ravenscroft in race one, however, Ravenscroft pulled out with problems and was relegated to last, despite his third place in race one. The GP50 Auto class was equally had fought, with the top five riders all getting on the podium at some point, 1st overall went to Kieran Smith, with ever improving Josh Owens in 2nd, new boy Matt Walker seems to love the wet weather, and rode the race of his lafe to take a comfortable win in race two, and 3rd overall. Reigning champion, Jake Archer didn't seem to enjoy the weather at all, and came home a lowly [for him] 4th, but I'm sure we havn't heard the last of little "Archie"!
 
The new Super National class got of to a good start, with Andrew Rumsam, taking the top spot from 2nd overall, Richard Holmed-Williams, Dave Wilson came home 3rd overall, with a worthy mention to 4th place rider, Chris Smith for his third place in  race two. The Supers saw Matt Evans claim top spot, despite being beaten twice by Andy Gornall, who's DNF in race one saw him get bumbped to 2nd overall.
 
Pit Bike racing has seen a massive jump in popularity over the winter, no doubt helped by some big "names" from road racing taking part in the winter series. 36 riders lined up for what was bound to be a superb three races. Kenny Owen, 2007 British Champion, stormed to pole position on the Saturday, and posted the fastest lap of the meeting, never mind the Pit Bike class, and this was with a standard engine after his race engine let go! However, come race day, it all went pear shaped for Owen, who now has a mountain to climb in the Cat A class. Top honours went to the always fast Lewis Burns, who was only beaten once, by SEMRC Champion, and 3rd overall on the day, Andy Cowey, 2nd overall was a stalwart of the class, who has risen through the Juniors, James Field on his Monstermoto. Cat B saw plenty of action, with Jake Gowing stamping his authority on the class with three wins, the only one of two riders to achieve this all day, despite being pushed hard, Kevin Gritton came home 2nd overall, with Will Mayes 3rd, despite top three finishes from Neil Harrison and Dave Perry. The Modified class saw all of the top four get on the podium at some point, Ryan Tyers came home 1st overall, despite a win from 2nd place man, Callan Wood in race one, Steve Kirkby rode hard to claim 3rd overall, with SEMRC Champion George Whitton pull out two out of three race with tyre hassles.
 
The GP70 class again saw the top five all get on the podium at some point, however, the only other rider to achieve three wins from three races was 1st overall in the Junior class, James Robinson, all the more impressive as was due to take part in the Conti Cup, and only switched to the GP70 class after having a go of his brothers bike during Saturday practice! Lower down the field, Bradley Hughes [2nd overall at his 1st meeting] and Devon Turner [3rd overall] were fighting hard, with Cory Smith and a fast improving Lee Dureden thrown in for good measure! With the 2007 Senior class Champion out with a blown engine on Saturday, it looked like it might just be a comfortable day for Jake Swarbrick, but a crash in race one left the way open for Bernie Hook riding the Team Evolution converted 4 stroke Conti V2, Swarbrick managed to claim the next two race wins, but it was only enough for 2nd overall, with Hook being very pleased to take the win, and I'm sure the team were pretty happy too! Phil Green bagged 3rd overall, helped by a DNF in race two from Andy Green, who came 4th despite a second and a third.