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The third and 4th rounds of the championship were held at the Cadwell New Era meeting on 11th and 12th of April. This was the first time since 1999 we had run with New Era and we were a little unsure how many would turn out for it. The idea was that if we and the Superstocks club could get a combined entry of 30 we would have got a grid shared between us. As it turned out we got 14 and the Superstocks club got 10. As a result, the up to 500cc Earlystocks bikes went out with the Hornets, CB500s, a LCs, etc while the over 500s went out with the Superstocks and Sound of Thunder machines. We would have hoped to have got a few more entries but realize that the fact that you need to buy a transponder put more than a few off. When the actual final regs were received, it did state that a small number of transponders were available for hire. This might have been a one-off as there is a waiting list for transponders at the moment, but it might be worth a phone call if anyone wants to try and hire one for Oulton or Castle Coombe. The up to 500s were out in race five with so many classes that it reminded me of the Formula Phoenix event people used to enter as an additional event when we ran with the Phoenix club. Some however didn't get as far as practice. The first to strike problems was Barry Swailes who had a rather large off on Saturday practice day. He walked away but his GPz 750 wasn't as lucky, being almost destroyed. In a Sunday morning practice, Tony Smith was wiped out with very similar results. Tony looks a little second-hand afterwards but much better than his GPz750, which didn't look at all well as everything was out of line. We measured the rear shocks and one was 8 millimeters shorter than the other. Tony however wasn't going to miss out on a weekend's racing without a fight. He borrowed Barry's fuel tank which although quite dented still held fuel, bought a new seat unit and then it was a simple matter of bending it all back into shape. Notice I didn't say the original shape. Tony didn't quite make it for his first race but he would like to thank everyone who helped out. There were quite a few helping out as it's not every day you get to attack a rival's machine with a hammer, a wheel brace, and crowbar. Alan Butler also had problems with his X7 at his first race meeting when it holed a piston. Also at his first meeting was Mark Taylor on his GT380 that was last raced with us by Will Brown in 1997. This gave no problems. It's often said it best to start out with a bike that has been raced rather than having to iron out problems with a new machine when all you need is track time. The up to 500 machines were out in race five and it was no surprise to see Glenn Graham build up a commanding lead, but it was surprising or perhaps not when he went missing on the final lap. Glenn misjudged the pace of a YPVS he was about to lap at the bottom of the mountain. The resulting collision put him out of action for the day as it ripped hole in the side of his fuel tank. This left Cass to be the first Earlystocks bike home, she was followed by Richard Insall who was the first 250 home. John Turner followed him, being the first production machine. He was in turn followed by the X7 of John Hardwick and Mark Taylor on his GT380. In the second up to 500 race the order was Cass, Richard Insall, John Hardwick and Mark Taylor. John Turner failed to finish after running short of fuel. There was still plenty in his tank but the new fuel tap he had fitted had a much larger reserve. Glenn meanwhile was missing having headed off home to source the new fuel tank. The first over 500 race was No.7 on the programme and it was Mostyn Bullock who managed to keep ahead of Steve Cave until last couple of feet when he seemed to shut off just before the line. Steve took first place by just 0.02 of a second. The joy of Transponders. Michael Baillie was the next to finish being a first 750, he was followed by Andy Charlesworth and Colin Young. In the second over 500 race the first three places where a repeat while Tony Smith took 4th. Following him were Colin Young and Andy Charlesworth. On Monday, Glenn Graham had returned complete with an Alloy tank RD400. This was borrowed from Russ Lacey who used to race with us some years ago. It was only a 300 mile round trip to collect it, not as bad as when he made a trip home from Anglesey last year. When Monday's first race got under way, Glenn Graham got clear to take first place. Cass followed him home and she was ahead of John Turner, Richard Insall and John Hardwick. Then it was Mark Taylor followed by Alan Butler who had taken advice from Robert Eley about jetting an X7. To those who know, that might seem a bit of risk but think about it, Rob must know more than anyone about what not to do rejetting an X7. Strangely enough the second race was an exact repeat as regards the results. In the first over 500 race, Steve Cave took victory well ahead of Michael Bailey and Andrew Charlesworth there being only three finishers. Mostyn Bullock had the engine of his GS1000 let go on lap four while Tony Smith lasted one lap before one of the header pipes came loose. In the second race the only change was that Tony Smith finished ahead of Andy Charlesworth. All in all, the meeting went well although it would have been better if we had been all out together. New Era however will not run 20 races with 70% full grid when they could run 14 at 100% full. It is this that allows them to run efficiently with full length races throughout the day. Steve Bailey. |