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The second round of the championship was held at the first Phoenix meeting at Snetterton and despite our initial fears, attracted an entry of 29. 27 made it on the day. Charlie Barker couldn't get his GSIOOO ready in time, whereas Howard couldn't find his race bike in the vast quantity of Morini parts he bought last year. Actually he ran out of time but wasn't helped by being badly let down by those supposedly fitting a tow bar to his new car. No matter what you want doing, it's the same story. Snetterton turned out to be a dry meeting for a change so things weren't too bad. Mind you there were problems early on when people tried to sign on. For some reason those in the race office refused to sign any of our members on. We haven't actually been able to find out why, but suspect it was due to us having buff coloured cards and the Phoenix office with their red and green system couldn't cope. This was despite the fact that the idea of the buff cards was that those in the race office wouldn't have to check any lists re deposits bounced cheques etc. as we sort the financial side of it out. If Cass wasn't racing, us signing you on would be fine but there just isn't time to do both. Sorry you got messed about, but we have made arrangements to ensure it doesn't happen again. The first race was 10 on the programme and the main talking point was who would come out best in the battle between Rob Eley and Nigel Lawrence. At first no one could find Rob's bike, only a rather tidy black and gold GS1000. Rob maintained it was his old bike but many weren't convinced, well they weren't until something happened that proved it was his old bike. Last year it was the clutch that doubled as a hand grenade this year it was the self deflating front tyre. Unfortunately this happened just at the end of the main straight, to say it was a bit of a moment would be an understatement. No one knows how he kept it upright from 155mph with the front tyre off the rim. Later I heard someone, she shall remain nameless, comment to him that he would have to wear his new leathers from now on as the old ones were no longer fit for human habitation. With Rob out of the running it was left for Nigel to take the race win although he was pushed very hard by Steve Cave. As it turned out, Nigel was nursing a rather sick engine with a suspect crank that put him out of action for the rest of the day. Clive Wadey took third place, being followed home by the 750 class machines of Dean Martin, Tony Smith and Mel Coote. Cass was the next finisher, the first 550, she in turn was ahead of Simon Briggs who was actually out on his old RD250. Behind Simon was Paul Myler whose GSX750 just got the better of of the GPZ750 of Malcolm Price that was being very critical on jetting. Mostyn Bullock was next, no doubt finding that a 120bhp plus GS1000 was rather different to ride then the more or less standard engine he ran last year. Richard Insall followed on his RD250, ahead of the XJ550 of Keith Chambers, who we know has been putting in a little practice since his first meeting at Mallory. Then it was Michael Hand whose RD400 still sounded rather strange but goes well and more importantly continues to go well. Gary Haywood was the next to finish on his GPZ550 and he was followed by the GT500 of Pete Jarnell who was in turn ahead of the RD400 of Charlie Vowles. Andy Charlesworth was the next finisher, ahead of Mark Wootton, modified Z650, and Pete Mabberley, production GS1000, both out in their first race. Despite Rob Eley's attempts, no one fell off, but there were several non finishers in addition to him. These included Adrian Saunders, Alec Gilfillan and Jayne Spooner and Karl Scott who had carb flooding problems. Cass nearly didn't get out, as whilst waiting for the start she noticed one of the carbs was starting to flood. She was just about stick her hand up and pull off the grid when the lights changed, leaving her no option and luckily the problem sorted itself out. Chris Spooner never got out. In practice his X7 was way off its pace it had last year, as it was at Mallory, and then refused to start. This is despite spending a considerable sum on engine work with a tuning shop who appear to have some unusual ideas on engine tuning that might well be best left to motors not required to run much more than a quarter mile at a time. If anyone is interested in such unorthodox mods, I'm sure Chris will give them the appropriate recommendation. Strangely enough it's the same company who last year promised Andy Charlesworth 80bhp from his XBR500 or 95bhp if he was prepared for intensive maintenance. The second race was reduced to 6 laps due to time and as it got underway, it looked as if were about to rain. As it turned out, it did from mid race onwards but didn't spoil a fine battle between Steve Cave and Clive Wadey. Steve eventually took victory despite being stuck in 4th gear for the last two laps. Wonder how much longer that engine will last. Karl Scott took third, followed home by Dean Martin and Mostyn who was ahead of Mel Coote, Tony Smith and Cass. She was closely followed by Paul Myler who once again just kept ahead of Malcolm Price. Adrian Saunders was the next home, ahead of Keith Chambers Michael Hand and Gary Haywood. Pete Jarnell was next ahead of Richard Insall whose RD250 didn't sound well for the last two laps. Andy Charlesworth followed him home and he was in turn ahead of Charlie Vowles. Mark Wootton was next to finish ahead of Simon Briggs and Pete Mabberley. Simon Briggs managed to finish despite problems that would have put lesser mortals out of the race, no lets tell it straight any normal person. These problems showed up as what he described as minor handling problems that on inspection turned out to be caused by a clean break in one of the main frame rails at the lower engine mount. Steve Bailey. |