Whilton Mill Round 3 Winter Series Race Report

Wednesday, 30 January 2008

Once again, terrible weather threatened, and once again, it didn't materialise, and in an almost carbon copy of Round 2, after a wet start, the track dried slowly as the day progressed, leading to faster and faster lap times, and closer, more exciting racing.

The juniors threw up a shock with Wayne Ryan [eventual 2nd overall] being beaten for the first time since most of us can remember by a very on-fire Jake Archer. Ryan won races one and three, but race two saw him way down the field, leaving "Archie" to take the win from eventual 3rd overall, Ben Joseph, who rode superbly to keep Zak Corderoy at bay.

The 4.2hp Seniors saw several battles for the top points, but once again, Andrew Rumsam prevailed, with two wins, and a second in race three to 2nd overall, Sam Cherry, who's final victory was not enough. Mark Biswell scored a solid 2nd in race two, but a DNF and a lowly finish in race 3 kept him off the podium, Likewise Ben Prati, leaving Tom Potter to claim 3rd overall.

The Air-cooled class once again belonged to Andrew Rumsam, however, he far from had things his own way. Jack Keen won race one, but that was the one and only finish of the day, Rumsam came back for the win in race two, over eventual 2nd overall, Lewis Taylor, but then another race winner in the shape of Chris Thacker popped up in race three, who was off the podium because hiw other race finishes never bettered 6th. 3rd overall was Jade Spencer, who was the most consistent of all, with three thirds.

Supermoto Junior once again saw Josh Brown and Lee Jackson resume their battle, however, Brown stamped his authority this time, with three straight wins, Jackson having to settle for 2nd overall. Third overall was a battle between Brad Thornton & Kyle Ryde, which after much scrapping, saw Ryde take the 3rd place trophy home.

Production Heavy saw domination in the form of Ben Prati who made no mistakes with a hat-trick of wins, lower down the field it was almost anybody's, with Richard Holmes-Williams & Stephen Good both getting into the top three in different races, however, Sean Brown's second in race win, followed up by solid points scoring finishes was enough to bag 2nd overall, with Mark Biswell 3rd, despite excellent performances in races two and three, race one saw Biswell way down the field.

Production A saw Brad Ray bounce back from reliability problems at the last round, and demonstrate exactly why is is the reigning British Championship, with three straight wins, some excellent performances behind him saw several youngsters get their first podium places, although Wayne Ryan was certainly not having his best day, finishing off the podium, behind Ryan Brain 2nd, and Bradley Hughes 3rd. Production Light was once again almost anybody's, with all of the top six scroring podium positions! Jordan Simpkin was top dog, followed by Greg Max-Madero and Luke Shelley 3rd. Worthy mentions also to Chris Cheshire, Tom Weedon and Ryan Clarke.

Pit Bike's saw some stunning racing, and a very, very busy grid. Cat A [125cc] saw Luke Potter off to a stormer, and look as if it was going to be his day, until a DNF in race three bumped him down to 3rd overall, giving James Westmorland his first and only top three of the day, with an excellent second place. Lewis Burns, 1st overall, got over the shock of race one, and normal service was resumed, with two solid wins, meanwhile, 2nd overall went to Jake Gowing, via his consistent three times third places. Cat B saw a GP star in our midst once again, in the shape of Dan Linfoot, who got over his shyness at the last round, to come out with three excellent and thrilling race wins, heading off Alex Berkshire in race one, Jim Lovell in race two, who's DNF in race one saw him off the podium, and Alex Berkshire again in race three, leaving Berkshire to take 2nd overall from Callan Wood, who again demonstrated the importance of consistency...and finishing!

The Conti Cup/GP50 class saw Bradley Ray show once again, why is going to be the kiddie to beat in 2008, with three more masterfull race wins for 1st overall. Biggest shock of all, only because he has just converted to 17" wheel after two years riding 12", was James Robinson's 2nd overall, from Devon Turner, albeit, by one point.

The GP 50 Auto class saw reigning Southern champ, Jake Archer taking 1st overall, however, it was clear that new boy, and 2nd overall, Josh Owens is getting closer round by round to little Archie.

The GP70 class saw 2007 British Champ, Adam Robinson come storming out once again, with Kyle Harris [3rd overall] being the only rider anywhere near Robinson, however, a playing up bike, combined with a very fired up Tome Carne, meant no more winning for Robinson this weekend, with Carne on simply blistering form in races two and three, taking 1st overall, over Robinson, who had to settle for a points damage limitation exercise