You win some, you lose some…
A slickly run programme of 41 races over the weekend of 27th and 28th July at the challenging ‘mini-circuit’ of Lydden Hill gave us some close and exciting contests – and some disappointments. Mike Powell slid off at Paddock whilst leading the Bantam Class in Race 1. Rob Walker had a primary drive belt failure as he challenged for the lead in Race 5 and Mervyn Stratford experienced a magneto failure whilst challenging Tim Jackson for the lead in Race 11. None of this disheartened or discouraged them. Mike Powell went on to claim victory in the Bantam Races and was in the thick of it with his G50 in the 500cc Class races. Rob Walker went on to claim four wins and a second place on the immaculate ‘Yellow Velos’ and the inimitable Mervyn Stratford continued his winning ways in the 250cc and 350cc classes on his extraordinary Rudges.
Lydden Hill is a challenge to the three-wheeled brigade, powerful brakes and nerves of steel are helpful. Ample supplies of both were evident as The Quirks and their Vincent battled it out with the Morgan of Bill and Maggie Tuer. There was added interest in the Honda ‘Four’ outfit of invited riders Reeves and Hill. The vivid acceleration and the gorgeous exhaust note of this projectile were not quite enough to hold the Morgan and the Vincent at bay in every race. Two Scooter sidecar outfits joined us for the fray and the combination of John Howe and Sophie Timlin exceeded many peoples’ expectations in finishing 6th overall in race 37.
We were able to accommodate three riders from ‘la belle France’ for the week-end. They had not come solely for the fish and chips – but to win races- and Didier Deletoile and his Ducati TT did just that in the BEARS race 42. This after giving us a demonstration of his skill and determination in Races 10, 21 and 32 where he made strong challenges for 2nd place from Austen Kear who had harried Ben Kingham’s BMW all weekend.
Scooter racing on a one-mile circuit with a steep hill and some long, sweeping bends is recipe for exciting action – and we were not disappointed. The usual suspects were at the front from the drop of the flag to engage in race-long dices to the finish, but the life-or–death tussle’s mid-field between Steve Wright and Mark Clipstone in race 29 and Alexander van Dyke, Steve Wright (again!) and Mike Hardy in Race 39 really added to the spectacle.
Stacey Killworth and his ‘Triton’ experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend. There was a win in the closely fought Race 7 for ‘The Big Stuff’ and another in the first BEARS race followed by retirement from Race 18 and a fall in Race 30 at Paddock. He was leading in Race 40 until it was ‘red-flagged’ and retired on lap 5 of Race 42 whilst in the lead.
The up-to 350cc races give that man Stratford another opportunity to strut his stuff – and he did not disappoint. After his magneto failure in Race 11 he took 4th place overall in Race 22 behind John Warwick on his very quick ‘Gold Star, Graham Buller on his Norton and similarly mounted Nick Bedford. In Sunday’s races, it was Tim Jackson’s turn at the flag in both races with John Warwick and Graham Buller behind him in the first race and Mervyn Stratford 4th in Race 33 and 3rd in Race 43 behind Graham Buller.
The Lacey Ducati races could be described as a grand day out for Scott Harris and his 350cc Ducati Mk 3 with a win in Race 1 from Andy Hunt. Positions at the flag were reversed in Race 12 after an exciting duel right from the off. This continued on the Sunday with another tight, exciting race where continues-
Harris fought off the challenge from Andy Hunt and Nick Kennett. In the final race of the day for the Ducatis, Scott made no mistakes and soon built up a convincing lead over Andy, Nick and Stu Noble.
We are now more than half way through the season and the various championships are becoming defined. We’re off to Mallory Park at the end of August and then we round off the year with two days of racing at everyone’s favourite circuit, Cadwell Park, at the end of September.
BHR Calendar 2013 (Rounds Remaining)-
Mallory Park 25/26 August, Cadwell Park 28/29 September
BHR Spectator Parades
BHR will be holding ACU “PR5” & “PR6” Parades at all of the above meetings. PR5 Spectator Parades give the opportunity to ride your road bike on the circuits having complied with the rules governing these parades. PR6 Race Parades are for Race Machines only and require an ACU Race or Parade license. Certain Road license types are also permissible. Further details on all the above from BHR Secretary Gerry Daine on 01472 697953 or e-mail gerry.daine@ntlworld.com
