2008 Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club - Season Resume

2008 Season Resume by class

Overall – despite failing to score at the opening round when Macca ditched the R1 at Anglesey this was the title GBMoto (Mark Smith-Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Mike Dickenson/Pete Jennings/Alex Cudlin) really wanted to add to their 2004 and 2007 trophies. The team achieved four wins and a second place from the rest of the season, duplicating their earlier DNF at the final round at Silverstone where they lost the National ProSuperbike title to arch rivals Sweatshop Moores Racing (Hugh Brasher/John Paul Scott/Rod Lynn/Nick Roake/Paul Smythe/Ben Wylie). In runner up spot for overall status were the ultra consistent Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Daz Jones/Kevin Upstone/Nigel Slater) who, despite running an R6, racked up 4 third places and a trio of fourths to finish only 12.5 points off the top step of the podium. As well as winning the ProSuperbike class, Sweatshop had their ups and downs with two DNFs, to take third place overall for 2008 – mopping up 92 points (only three away from second place) with a win at Anglesey, three runner up finishes and an eighth at Pembrey with an engine of unknown pedigree. Those extremely civilised people from Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d’Albertanson/Barry Salmon/John Lee Pemberton) were fourth after a second on the road in North Wales, 2 fifths, 2 sixths and another two scores reflecting the reliability and speed of the bike, the riders and the support team. TM72 (Eric Chitty/Andy McKnight/Kevin Doughty/Dave Stewardson/Ryan Peters) underpinned their class win with finishing all rounds and coming 5th overall in their debut season with the highlight of third place in a waterlogged Anglesey back in April. It was at this track that the very experienced Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) had their only DNF, they had a third at Snetterton and gathered points at all rounds to finish sixth overall. 29 teams scored points overall including notables such as Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann), Black Flag Racing (George Duncan/Sam Smithson/John Higham/Jonathon Whitelegg), White Tiger Racing (Nigel Bryan/Ash Joice/Chris Lang), Co-Ordit Racing (Richard Cooper/Pete Bradshaw/Phil Bevan) and Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Andy Jones/Pete Gibson/Mark Castle/Mark Long) who filled the top ten on equal points with First Form Racing (Paul Robey/Tim Westley/Jay Smith), with an overall win at Silverstone Trackcraft finished 13th overall.



National ProSuperbike - this was always going to be a two horse race between Sweatshop Moores Racing and GBMoto, the Sweatshop boys won the first and last round of the seven race championship, three second places a 4th at Snetterton and a DNF at the half scoring round at Mallory in September. This was enough to win the class from a hard charging GBMoto who had four wins, including Mallory and two zero point scores. Third in the title race was AMA Racing (Mark Westcott/Andrew Parker/Mark Affleck) who kicked off their season with a brace of second places with a fourth + fifth place whist First Form Racing amassed a (Superbike) win and a third place. BSB migrants Co-Ordit Racing entered Snetterton twice and won the Superbike class twice – 100% success record! The Roundall Racing (Simon Allen/Dave Rose/Pete Gibson) team from the RAF moved up to the National class for the final round at Silverstone and went home with a well deserved 3rd in class.

National Supersport - to say Darkside Endurance ran away with their class would not be over egging it! In the closely contested class they pegged 4 consecutive second places, a couple of wins sandwiching another runner up spot. Fighting it out in their wake were eventual second placed crew of Team Viking who on at a very wet Anglesey with only two riders and backed that up with three third places, a fourth and a fifth to outpoint Moores Racing who worked hard to bag a win at Snett, a second, two thirds and a fourth with their only DNF at Round One. Ducks Cross Racing dovetailed their HMRC season with National Supersport and were always quick on the day netting three wins and an uncharacteristic fifth with a dropped valve at Silverstone in October. Best Choice (Garry Jones/Sean Moss/Hazel Drury/Richard Greenland/David Hockham/Stuart Holloway/Paul Smythe/Terje Joensen/Sarah Jordan) missed Cadwell, crashed out of Pembrey and leap frogged over Phoenix Endurance to secure a well deserved fifth in class, Phoenix had a DNF when the R6 was planted into scenery at Mallory and worked hard to settle for sixth for 2008. Feisty Racing (Susie Grayson/Deb Cartright/Amanda Wake) and Paul Gaskin Racing (Paul Gaskin/Dean Brown) made a single appearance in the championship and both scored a fourth for their efforts.


Senior 1000 TAG – TM72 Racing started the season in a very professional way and this was rewarded with a class win made all their own before the final round, they came away with four wins, a couple of thirds and a fifth for their efforts to finish way ahead of runners up White Tiger Racing. WTR only entered the fray for the second half of the season but managed to wrap up second with a win at Mallory, two second places and third at Cadwell, they must have been pleased with this result. Two seconds and a third hoisted SMF (Pete Rogers/Simon Fenwick/Mike Ashton) up to third place in the table. After Track Craft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson/Robin Hooker) had wrapped up the Junior TAG title they scored 33 points from two rounds, including a win at the final encounter and Mike Dickenson riding around on his own at Cadwell after Mark Linscott was taken to a nearby hospital – Track Craft for Senior 1000 TAG in 2009? Ecclectic Racing (Guy Bolam/Robert Pike/Paul Noble) showed up at Snetterton with a line up which included a tasty KTM LC8 and won their class to disappear again and in sixth place were S and P Racing (Paul Carr/Scott Adam/Hazel Drury) who gathered 24 points from two rounds. Others scoring points were; TCP Racing (Paul Flemans/Craig McCullen/Tim Fregus), Black Cat Racing (George Bicket, Mark Westcott/Robert Knoyle), MAD Racing (Darryll Elliot, Mick Watts/Andrew Browning), Throttle Monkeys (Geoff Rhodes/Dion Robinson), SOBER (Gary Bransgrove/Steve Callahan) and CEMAN Racing (Andy Longmate/Neill Bennett/Adam Sherriff).

Senior 600 TAG – Black Flag Racing had a cool approach to this class for 2008, turned up, tested, practiced and raced with consistency to walk away with 5 maximum scores, a second and a third – never off the class podium. This was not the biggest class in the series but that shouldn’t detract from the team’s performance. A and G Racing (Garry Jones/Mark Affleck), T3 Racing (Andrew + Simon Marriott/Lance Carey), winning at Snett, GBMoto Senior (Phill Clarke/Helen + Grant Gaskin) and Mallory specialist, winners RJS Superbikes (Daniel Lane/Gary Arden/Steve Gillings) where miles away.


Junior TAG Overall - Track Craft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) did a sterling job in the Junior championship overall, from the seven rounds they only slipped up in the opening encounter at Anglesey where Team RHR (Robin Hooker/Paul Evans/Stephen Capella) stole the show. From then on Mark + Mike took five wins on the trot, including competing in the Senior Tag at Cadwell in August, for the final round at Silverstone they entered the Senior TAG and won the race outright. Silverstone was won by eventual second in table Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson/Kevin Tait/Mark Dixon) who reinforced their consistent performance with no less than four second places over the season. Co-Ordit was not behind the Freaks amassing three seconds on the way whilst the team also entering both Snetterton National races. Billericay Coachworks (Kevin Maxted/Tim Gorringe/Brendan Roberts) enjoyed a second place and three fourths to finish 4th overall a mere ten points ahead of Advance Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) who scored points in all rounds, with Junior 600 TAG champs ETA (Ian Courts/Darren Brealey) rounding off the top six.


Junior 1000 TAG - Team Track Craft did five wins, a second place and moved up a league for the final round on their journey to the 2008 championship, finishing a healthy 26 points ahead of runners up; Freaks of Nature Too who scored in all seven rounds of the title race. Co-Ordit roared into third place amongst a very heavy schedule of racing elsewhere at club and national level, including 4 second places having failed to grab points at one Snetterton round. Billericay Coachworks landed fourth place only one point ahead of Advance Shipping whose highlight was a Snetterton third with MIB bringing up the top six and scoring in all seven races. Beyond the top half dozen Rawlings Racing (Lee + Matt Rawlings/Neil Gregory) failed to score at Mallory following a rare rider error.


Junior 600 TAG - ETA performed fantastically, collecting three class wins and two second places to tie up their championship before the final round in Northamptonshire. With a varied rider line up GBMoto Junior (Phill Clarke/Sam Godfrey/Maria Costello/Sam Neate/Danny Brill) luxuriated in a rewarding season to secure the runner up spot which included a win at Snetterton and a second place at Cadwell. Phill C was the constant despite having a couple of spills during the season. Gasi Racing (Grant & Helen Gaskin/Paul Hodge) missed out on second place by a mere ten points. Sorrymate.com (Fergus Dalgarno/Jenny Tinmouth/Craig Sproston/Bruce Wilson) was unable to commit to the whole season but still came fourth in class with a brace of wins and a second place rounding out DNR Motorsport (Richard Payne/Dave Brooking) who had a couple of silver medal positions along the way. Team Monkey 6 (Steve Allen/Steve Baggott/Nathan Horsfield) completed the top six for this championship.

2008 Season Resume by race

Following a highly successful inaugural season in 2007, all the HMRC teams descended on the Anglesey circuit in North Wales it was all going to be about the weather and whether or not 2007 Champions GBMoto might be displaced by the newly formed Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 team, also running an R1 or would the challenge come from another source? Sweatshop grabbed pole from GBMoto who struggled with gearing set up in the wet and windy conditions. Come raceday GBMoto with a new motor fitted stormed away prior to being displaced by Hugh Brasher’s team with GBMoto experiencing electrical gremlins before Macca threw the bike into the Armco at half way point – rider sort of OK and motorcycle retrieved back to pits before Mick Godfrey went back out and stuffed the bike into the banking and this time it was ‘game over’ leaving Sweatshop Moores to take the flag on the same lap as Team Viking with their 600 Honda. New to series 1000 TAG team – Throttle Monkey 72 Racing surprised many by grabbing third spot and taking fastest lap of the day. The top six were rounded off by TCP Racing, Darkside Endurance and newcomers Team First Form. Black Flag Racing finished in 9th place winning the 600 TAG class, GBMoto had not completed sufficient distance to be classified and earned no points from their long visit to the North West tip of Wales. Mark Linscott looks as if he started the 2008 season in a similar vane to the end of last year’s with a pole position at the first round in Anglesey on a wet glass circuit. Now paired with the quick and talented South African Mike Dickenson under the banner of Team Track Craft they were able to lap two seconds a circuit quicker than their rivals – however when it really mattered after 120 minutes rivals Team RHR made the most of pit stops, pace car appearances and traffic to take the win by over a minute from Trackcraft with Freaks of Nature Too and Team Throttle Monkeys. ETA Racing who were the fist Junior 600 team home in 8th place.

Arriving at Snetterton in Norfolk for the first of to visits this season the usual HMRC suspects were joined by BSB migrants Co-Ordit Racing, however it was GBMoto who eclipsed the rest of the field by over half a minute in qualifying. They managed to repeat this speed early on in the race but after an hour it was Sweatshop Moores R1 who were leading on the road before Co-Ordit banged in some quick times courtesy of Nottingham racer Richard Cooper prior to the same rider loosing drive coming out of Russells which marked the beginning of a slow and time consuming rest of the race for the lads from near Mallory. At the halfway point the Moores big bike team luxuriated in a four lap lead over the best of the rest, however with just 60 minutes to go Sweatshop + GBMoto were on the same lap – eventually Macca’s bike catching and pulling out a small advantage over the other similar machine. With the lead of only a few seconds to GBMoto, Nick Roake tried too hard at the Esses and was on the deck to recover to secure a valuable second place. The smaller Moores Racing R6 came in a solid third, following a complete rebuild after Round 1 courtesy of Jim Agombar, to join their team mates on the podium, finishing in front of other 600 machines of Darkside Endurance and Team Viking. Again in the top six were Throttle Monkey 72 Racing showing their strong Anglesey showing was no fluke. A massive 34 crews amassed at Snetterton the following month and Team Trackcraft made it two wet poles on the trot as we lost Team RHR in a testing accident. Newcomers Scaffolding Race Team were unable to turn a good grid position as they froze on the grid – however they were up to second just behind Trackcraft at the half way point of the race. The status quo was maintained for the second half of the encounter with 2007 race winners, Co-Ordit Racing nailing third, the very consistent ETA Racing were the first 600 home to further strengthen their championship aspirations.

Back to Wales, this time to Pembrey in the south and it as a second consecutive pole position for GBMoto, this time ahead of series returnees Uprite Racing where Master Endurance Guru Max Sholl had gathered together a very strong riding team for his Suzuki 1000. During qualifying Sweatshop Moores had lost their #1 engine and travelling without a spare were forced to go through the Yellow Pages for one overnight (well not quite but almost) which required an overnight engine change by the merry Mooresmen. Other people doing transplants during the night were Uprite who lost their winning plant from last season and were forced to run their #2 item.
GBMoto sprinted off into the distance from the start and not much later we had the Sweatshop Yam in the pits following an off by John Paul Scott, after a couple of hours GBMoto had a massive five laps in hand over the 600 of Ducks X Racing when Uprite pitted with gremlins which would take a while to fix. The 600s looked good with Darkside Endurance and Team Viking all shining but being split at the flag by Senior 1000 TAG leaders Throttle Monkey 72 Racing after GBMoto won by a huge 18 laps. Black Flag Racing did a sterling job to come in sixth and win their class. Trackcraft were once again dominant in Pembrey easily converting pole into a win over the two hour race duration, helped by some wise decisions being made regarding tyre choice and the changeable weather conditions in South Wales. In the race Co-Ordit Racing used pace car appearances and slick teamwork to build up a 27 second lead over Trackcraft. As the track began to dry under windy conditions correct tyre choice was again paramount it was Trackcraft who won on the day from Co-Ordit with Freaks of Nature Too filling out the podium. Top 600 home were front row starters sorrymate.com who at half way point had led four of their classmates all on the same lap – close racing or what?

Returning to the wilds of Snetterton early August it was BSB crew Co-Ordit Racing who stole pole in the very capable hands of works endurance BMW rider Richard Cooper. From dead last spot at the drop of the cloth it took a brief 2 laps for Cooperman to work his way up to the leading handful and at the one hour spot Co-Ordit were a mere 2 seconds ahead of GBMoto whilst championship leaders Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 pitched off at Russell. The very brave Ben Wylie managed to drag the stricken machine back into the pits despite a painful dislocated shoulder. Co-Ordit were rewarded for their pace and reliability with their first win in the National championship with GBMoto picking up useful points in their campaign for back to back titles. Sweatshop Moores did a sterling job in finishing 14th on the road to grab some points from Snetterton. The Senior TAG class was won by Ecclectic Racing from White Tiger and Throttle Monkey 72 Racing and series newcomers T3 – originally planning to contest three Hinckley Triumphs – were delighted to take the Senior 600 class. It was British Supersport Cup leader Craig Fitzpatrick who secured Junior pole by well over a second from other national 600 runner Jenny Tinmouth with championship leaders Team Trackcraft in third. As this was a three hour race to stretch the teams and by one third distance the heavens opened and wets was the order of the day. At the end Trackcraft were in front ahead of the first 600 home and second on the road, a superlative GBMoto Junior with Advanced Bike Shipping in a handy third – they had earlier lead on the road as pit stops and pace car appearances intervened.

At the end of August the Hottrax circus descended on Cadwell in the picturesque Lincolnshire Wolds with the two leading National endurance teams arrived in Lincolnshire separated by only a handful of points as the seven race championship entered the second half. It was National Superstock 600 rider Jon Railton who set pole on his Ducks Cross Racing at 1m 36.442s which was more than half a second ahead of 2007 champions GBMoto. Jon's best endeavours turned to dust as his drive chain broke only metres away from the Le Mans start. From the start it was Trackcraft, GBMoto and Sweatshop Moores who established themselves as top dogs, trading fastest times and positions at the front. Mark Linscott had an ‘off’ in the early stages of the race which saw GBMoto take a well deserved win with three laps over nearest championship rivals, Sweatshop Moores, Darkside will have been pleased with their podium place ahead of Moores Racing with an ecstatic Throttle Monkey 72 Racing - closing the top six were Team Viking who worked very hard for a third in class to finish on the same lap as newcomers SMF Racing. TM 72 won their championship – a tribute to their season long professionalism partnered with fast and consistent riding and the hard working Black Flag Racing are now the 2008 Senior 600 TAG Endurance champions.
In the Juniors - sorrymate.com were able to turn their well earned pole, over 0.6 seconds ahead of current championship leaders Track Craft who experienced a catastrophic start from the grid but had soon worked themselves up to a handy third place and by the forty minute mark they were leading. Trackcraft were able to pit and return to the track without losing their leading position - yet to be displaced Co-Ordit were second and Billericay Coachworks who have always been heading in the right direction were third ahead of sorrymate.com and the Pringles. A fantastic second spot went to Fergus Dalgarno's sorrymate.com line up of riders he sponsors at National 600 Superstock level including bike journo Bruce Wilson, they were less than a minute behind the leading crew. A well deserved third went to Co-Ordit who rode hard and were slick in their pit work to amass some more silverware and championship points. GBMoto Jnr kept out of trouble and rode well to finish in seventh on the road and second in class. To demonstrate how close this type of racing is, after two hours; first and second were only 40 seconds apart, they were a Junior 1000 and a 600 machine. In the top 14 overall no less than seven riders were on the same lap and separated by a mere 60 seconds and two Junior 600 teams produced the fastest laps of the race ahead of that set by the Track Craft team.


Round Six at Mallory gave us the mouth watering prospect of a full six hours racing and the two leading teams only separated by three points in the championship. GBMoto were fastest out of the absolutely massive 39 machine grid with a time of 56.297s, a smidge ahead of leading Junior TAG outfit Track Craft. When the clock turned twelve the grid cleared quickly and ten minutes later Lee Rawlings tipped off at the exit to Edwinas bringing out the pace car for almost 15 minutes. Not much later the pace car made another appearance with the machines being held out on the track as medics tendered to fallen rider - motorcycling journalist Paul Smyth who had high sided at Edwinas on the Sweatshop Moores R1. Riders and machines were held for around 90 minutes as Paul was taken to hospital and the race organisers had to wait for returning medics and ambulances. We lost the Sweatshop Moores 2 R1 which was damaged in Paul's accident and Track Craft led by a lap after 3 hours. On the four hour mark the race Pete Gibson lost control of the Phoenix Endurance R6 at the exit of the Esses, some debris from the Yamaha landing on the Devils Elbow part of the track. With around half an hour to go, what was supposed to be a 6 hour and a 3 hour race was a race to the chequered flag for all. Leaders on the road Co-Ordit shot down the pitlane thinking they had seen the flag being shown, this was with a few laps still to run allowing Track Craft to finish 20 seconds in front of GBMoto giving Track Craft enough points to seal their title with a race to go. The National and Senior runners only scored half points in the championship, due to restricted race time completed, the retirement of Moores Sweatshop 2 allowing GBMoto to overtake them in the points and they will have to wait until Silverstone in October to decide the outcome of their class. In the National Supersport class Darkside stay at the front despite Ducks Cross winning their race at Mallory and Moores are only a fraction ahead of Team Viking. Senior 1000 is the domain of Throttle Monkey 72 Racing who have wrapped the title up in front of White Tiger Racing whilst ETA Racing did a sterling job to win the Junior 600 class with nearest rivals GBMoto Junior.

Hot summer weather and clear blue skies provided the perfect backdrop for the final round of the 2008 Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club Endurance Championship with both classes starting at a shade before midday at Silverstone. Pole was set by GBMoto with a 1. 5.738s, whilst Rawlings Racing were fastest of the Juniors with a 1m 6.319s. At the one hour mark GBMoto led from Track Craft and Sweatshop Moores, however half an hour later the championship winning R1 pitted with a sick engine - this motor was the third of the weekend after the team lost their two plants in Friday testing. Drama took hold of the race at the 2hour 40 minute mark as Pete Allen threw his Suzuki 1000 into the Armco at Woodcote bringing out the pace car and paramedics. For the rider's safety the race continued behind the pace car and the Junior race was concluded under these conditions resulting in a well earned win for Freaks of Nature Too with a lap over Co-Ordit and Rawlings Racing, 4th place went to Billericay Coachworks who just pipped the first 600 home of newcomers PR Trackbike Hire. Advance Bike Shipping slipped in just ahead of the already confirmed 600 Junior champs for 2008 - ETA Racing.
More drama unfolded as third placed Alex Cudlin dropped the GBMoto R1 at the far side of the circuit requiring a lengthy time to recover the stricken bike, once recovered the race was on for the team to get the machine back out into the race to cover at least 75% of the winner's distance in order to gain championship points towards their class battle with Sweatshop Moores. By two-thirds distance - Track Craft, now in the capable hands of Mike Dickenson basked in a 3 lap lead over the Supersport machine of Ducks Cross and five circuits ahead of the Sweatshop Moores Yamaha. Moments later, Ryan Peters had a chain break which went through the crankcase and dropped oil on the racing line, race leader Mark Linscott and Mike Eglington unavoidably clashed and were down in front of the pits. The GBMoto R1 was in the garage ‘receiving attention’ and the team hoped the stoppage out on track would play into their hands and enable them to get back out to rack up some laps, however the bike was sadly retired and the team had to be satisfied with just one title for 2008. In the final hour of the race Track Craft led Ducks X, Sweatshop Moores, Darkside Endurance and Team Viking. Bad news hit Ducks X with only moments to go as the engine dropped a valve and was retired in the pits. Retiring 2008 Champion Mark Smith-Halvorsen waved the flag at the end of the six hours confirming the win for Track Craft over Sweatshop Moores who took the National ProSuperbike title and Darkside Endurance making the National Supersport championship their own.

After a tough and exciting season GBMoto sealed back to back National Championships for 2007 and 2008 to add to their 2004 title, Sweatshop Moores 2 worked very hard to become National ProSuperbike Champions and the very consistent Darkside Endurance made National Supersports all their own. Black Flag Racing were top Senior Endurance TAG 600 team and TM72 Racing enjoyed a successful debut season wrapping up the Senior Endurance TAG 1000 title before the final round of the seven race championship. In the Junior TAG division Team Track Craft showed quality and effort by winning the 1000 class before moving up to the Senior TAG arena and the very professional ETA Racing were rewarded with the 600 class.

GBMoto team principal and lead rider, Mark (Macca) Smith-Halvorsen, had announced his intention to retire from the sport after Silverstone following a full and distinguished racing career. His presence in the Endurance Racing paddock will be greatly missed. Macca’s final race day was a busy time – he dropped the Union flag to start the race and the chequered flag to close the action whilst also racing to try and add the ProSuperbike title to the Overall Championship silverware. Well done to all the GBMoto team for your 2008 efforts and enjoy your retirement Macca!

MotoGrande

These long races were included on the HMRC bill at Anglesey, Pembrey and Snetterton. As it was not part of a championship the entry varied throughout the races but always offered great opportunity to race from flag to flag over a reasonable distance. Some riders used it as a warm up for the longer races, others as a must win stand alone event – either way all races were close and entertaining and winners included; Ian Courtts, Martin Stanier, Greg Allsop, Dave Stewardson, Andy McKnight, Richard Cunningham. Machines ranged from latest Japanese Superbikes to twin cylinder machines and humble Honda Hornets who entertained the crowds with their close racing at Anglesey and Snetterton.

Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club National, Senior and Junior TAG Endurance Motorcycle Championship Races – Round Seven at Silverstone, Northamptonshire on the 11th of October 2008.

Dave, Karen and Hottrax kindly dedicated this race to racer Richie Gammon who recently died at Cadwell Park

Hot summer weather and clear blue skies provided the perfect backdrop for the final round of the 2008 Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club Endurance Championship with both classes starting at a shade before midday at Silverstone. Junior 1000 title winners Track Craft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson/Robin Hooker) had moved into the Senior TAG field to join GBMoto (Mark Smith-Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Alex Cudlin/R1) who had wrapped up the 2008 Overall Championship but were hoping to add the ProSuperbike class silverware where they were in contention with Sweatshop Moores (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/Rod Lynn/R1). Pole was set by GBMoto with a 1. 5.738s, whilst Rawlings Racing (Neil Gregory/Mat Rawlings) were fastest of the Juniors with a 1m 6.319s which they managed to convert to first on the road after Macca dropped the flag on what was to be his final race. GBMoto and Track Craft soon took to the front just before Maria Costello retired her GBMoto Junior Triumph leaving Phill Clarke to press on solo for the remainder of the race. At the one hour mark GBMoto led from Track Craft and Sweatshop Moores, however half an hour later the championship winning R1 pitted with a sick engine - this motor was the third of the weekend after the team lost their two plants in Friday testing and this was an ex Phase One version kindly leant by a very generous Phil Haynes of rivals Moores Racing, the investigation dropped them down to 14th place.

At the two hour mark TM72 Racing's Kevin Doughty lost the gearbox on his Aprilia which required a pace car intervention, at the same time Track Craft and Sweatshop Moores were given a stop/go penalty for an on track infringement. Track Craft still held a handy one lap lead over Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker), Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson), Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6) with Sweatshop and GBMoto only now a lap apart.

Drama took hold of the race at the 2hour 40 minute mark as Pete Allen threw his Suzuki 1000 into the Armco at Woodcote bringing out the pace car and paramedics. For the rider's safety the race continued behind the pace car and the Junior race was concluded under these conditions resulting in a well earned win for Freaks of Nature Too with a lap over Co-Ordit and Rawlings Racing, 4th place went to Billericay Coachworks (Kevin Maxted/Brendan Roberts) who just pipped the first 600 home of newcomers PR Trackbike Hire (Tom Young/Fred Russo). Advance Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) slipped in just ahead of the already confirmed 600 Junior champs for 2008 - ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley).

Whilst the Junior bikers were cooling down in Parc Ferme more drama unfolded as third placed Alex Cudlin dropped the GBMoto R1 at the far side of the circuit requiring a lengthy time to recover the stricken bike, once recovered the race was on for the team to get the machine back out into the race to cover at least 75% of the winner's distance in order to gain championship points towards their class battle with Sweatshop Moores. By two-thirds distance - Track Craft, now in the capable hands of Mike Dickenson basked in a 3 lap lead over the Supersport machine of Ducks Cross and five circuits ahead of the Sweatshop Moores Yamaha.

Moments later, Ryan Peters had a chain break which went through the crankcase and dropped oil on the racing line coming out of Woodcote, within seconds the race leader Mark Linscott and Mike Eglington unavoidably clashed and were down in front of the pits, causing concern to all on the pit wall. Thankfully both men were on their feet within minutes, transponders and bikes recovered for the show to go on with the two riders being taken to the medical centre for checks, whilst marshals and officials rendered the track safe under the watchful eye of rider’s representatives. The GBMoto R1 was in the garage ‘receiving attention’ and the team hoped the stoppage out on track would play into their hands and enable them to get back out to rack up some laps, however the bike was sadly retired and the team had to be satisfied with just one title for 2008.

Entering the final hour of the race the Track Craft duo of Dickenson and Hooker led Ducks X, Sweatshop Moores, Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Daz Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) and Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d’Albertanson/Barry Salmon/R6). Bad news hit Ducks X with only moments to go as the engine dropped a valve and was retired in the pits. As the shadows grew longer retiring 2008 Champion Mark Smith-Halvorsen waved the flag at the end of the six hours confirming the win for Track Craft over Sweatshop Moores who took the National ProSuperbike title and Darkside Endurance making the National Supersport championship their own. Only a lap further down the field were White Tiger Racing (Nigel Bryan/Ash Joice/Chris Lang), SMF Racing (Paul Rogers/Simon Fenwick/Mike Ashton) and Viking filling out the top six. First Form
Racing (Paul Robey/Jay Smith) were the second ProSuperbike home in seventh ahead of the well ridden bikes of S and P Racing (Pete Carr/Scott Adam/Hazel Drury). Best Choice Endurance (Sarah Jordan/Terje Joensen/Sean Moss) were delighted with 9th and third in the heavily subscribed Supersport class – Greg Wilson having motorcycle racing sage, Mike Edwards, in the pits for advice and support. Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) brought the bruised R6 home in tenth only 7 seconds ahead of Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Mark Castle/Andy Jones), next up were Senior 600 Champs Black Flag Racing (George Duncan/John Higham/Jonathon Whitelegg) ahead of the luckless TM72 Racing who finished the race with only one rider – Andy McKnight, after Eric Chitty crashed in testing and Kev Doughty & Ryan Peters followed suit during the race, thankfully the 2008 newcomers had tied up the Senior 1000 title up earlier on. BSB Supersport outfit Ducks Cross were classified as the penultimate finisher ahead of the hard working RAF Roundall Racing duo of Simon Allen and Dave Rose who had entered Silverstone in the Senior TAG 1000 class, lost one of the Aprilias in practice, and changed class to ProSuperbike with a shared machine – that’s endurance racing for you!

After a tough and exciting season GBMoto sealed back to back National Championships for 2007 and 2008 to add to their 2004 title, Sweatshop Moores 2 worked very hard to become National ProSuperbike Champions and the very consistent Darkside Endurance made National Supersports all their own. Black Flag Racing were top Senior Endurance TAG 600 team and TM72 Racing enjoyed a successful debut season wrapping up the Senior Endurance TAG 1000 title before the final round of the seven race championship. In the Junior TAG division Team Track Craft showed quality and effort by winning the 1000 class before moving up to the Senior TAG arena and the very professional ETA Racing were rewarded with the 600 class.

GBMoto team principal and lead rider, Mark (Macca) Smith-Halvorsen, had announced his intention to retire from the sport after Silverstone following a full and distinguished racing career. His presence in the Endurance Racing paddock will be greatly missed. Macca’s final race day was a busy time – he dropped the Union flag to start the race and the chequered flag to close the action whilst also racing to try and add the ProSuperbike title to the Overall Championship silverware. Well done to all the GBMoto team for your 2008 efforts and enjoy your retirement Macca!

Other pearls of wisdom………

Robin Hooker mad a welcome return to HMRC after winning the Junior race at Anglesey, he returned to the Friday trackday at Cadwell back in August with his Ducati 1098 and ran well as part of the Track Craft trio. Robin’s immaculate R1 is up for sale – form an orderly queue please

Silverstone sported a large grid with 26 Juniors and 17 National/Seniors – a figure that is bound to grow in 2009

Rawlings Racing did the Junior pole position, unfortunately without Lee who dinged himself at Mallory and his place was taken by Neil Gregory for the Silverstone encounter

It might have been OK for Roundall Racing to move from Senior TAG to National ProSuperbike using Simon Allen’s great sounding Prilla but Simon had only budgeted on his bike doing 3 of the 6 hours and the brake pads reflected this, bet the later part of the race was fun going into Luffield 1 without any front anchors

Good to see young Nick Roake back with Sweatshop Moores but his fast riding style was exceelent for reducing rubber down to canvas in the mid part of the 6hrs

Bill Barrowcliff who kindly gives an award for overall fastest lap will be back in 2009 with silverware + bubbly for fastest laps in all classes – enjoy your racing Bill

Best Choice not only had Mike ‘Spike’ Edwards in their pit but also a physio ho has lots of experience meeting rider’s needs, albeit those without engines – his usual clients are Olympic cyclists

Jon Railton tells me Ducks Cross have already sold their #1 R6 to a rider in Scandinavia and the team are busy planning for 2009, an important year for Jon as he will be sitting his A Levels in May/June

The championship winning R6 that guided Darkside Endurance to their 2008 title is up for grabs, this rapid Yamaha with a fresh engine is a proven reliable race winner – contact Mr Buik for bathrooms and bikes

Team Viking, known for their preparation and steady work rate have enjoyed their racing in 2008 – despite an Anglesey moment for Barry Salmon and will be back next season

In what format will Moores Racing appear in 2009 – Tony J advised that there were changes ahead as the team with two bikes looked at plans for the future. Tony has enjoyed some of his historic scratching, apart from an unceremonious dumping at Cadwell recently and Slim Jim is peddling a fast TZ with great effect both home and abroad

Whilst the season is over for most HMRC warriors Alex Cudlin still has the WEC at Qatar to go and is hoping to land a World Supersport ride in Portugal

Last Man Standing at TM72 (Andy McKnight) was under strict instructions from the boss not to fall off at Silverstone – the family were off to California on the Monday after the race! Pity the rest of TM72 didn’t follow his example

Nigel Bryan from White Tiger returns to Oz before Christmas after coming over to the UK specifically to contest five rounds of HMRC with his ’08 Fireblade. Running in the Senior TAG class the team finished a solid second place in their class and 9th overall – the paddock will miss Mr White Tiger and his eye catching leathers

Following Maria Costello’s early exit from the race her Triumph is now up for sale – consult her website for contact details

Small world – my son + girlfriend popped up from London into Silverstone and Sam (a teacher in Essex) spotted the father of one of her kids – yes Kevin Maxted, Miss Seedhouse reports that Matthew is behaving himself

Kevin Tait has had a reasonable season in HMRC and I saw his perform well at the Stars at Darley meeting netting a seventh and an eight in the feature race where the opposition included John McGuiness, Ian Lougher, Chris Palmer, James Hillier, the Co-Ordit boys and circuit specialists Richard Eglin, Tim Poole and Christian Elkin. Both races were won by Nottingham’s best – Richard Cooper on a Co-Ordit R1 (won second HMRC Snetterton race this year). Anyone who knows the track will be astonished to discover Richards’s fastest lap was an average of almost 98mph - scary

National and Senior 6 hours

1 Track Craft * 287 laps
2 Sweatshop Moores * 281 laps
3 Darkside Endurance * 275 laps
4 White Tiger Racing 274 laps
5 SMF Racing 274 laps
6 Team Viking 273 laps
7 First Form Endurance 272 laps
8 S and P Racing 269 laps
9 Best Choice Endurance 267 laps
10 Moores Racing 42 264 laps
11 Phoenix Endurance 264 laps
12 Black Flag Racing * 259 laps
13 TM72 Racing 242 laps
14 Ducks Cross Racing 241 laps
15 Roundall Racing 198 laps

NC GBMoto 158 laps

Fastest Lap GBMoto 1m 5.373s

Junior 3 hours Race

1000 TAG

1 Freaks of Nature Too * 149 laps
2 Co-Ordit Racing 148 laps
3 Rawlings Racing 148 laps
4 Billericay Coachworks 145 laps
5 Advance Bike Shipping 144 laps
6 Throttle Monkeys 144 laps
7 Into The Void 142 laps
8 Spellfame Racing 141 laps
9 Name With Held 141 laps
10 MIB 140 laps
11 SOBER 139 laps
12 Throttle To The Stop 139 laps
13 Too Old Racing 137 laps
14 Slaters Bikes 137 laps
15 Team Tortoise 132 laps
16 Pirate Racing 131 laps
17 MC Racing 131 laps
18 Freaks of Nature 131 laps

Fastest Lap Rawlings Racing 1m 5.522s

600 TAG

1 PR Trackbike Hire 145 laps
2 ETA Racing 143 laps
3 DBL Racing 139 laps
4 Gasi Racing 138 laps
5 Monkey Six 137 laps
6 Damoose Racing 135 laps
7 TMR Racing 134 laps
8 GBMoto Junior 89 laps

Fastest Lap PR Trackbike Racing 1m 8.123s 

 
Race Report - Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club National, Senior and Junior TAG Endurance Motorcycle Championship Races – Round Six at Mallory Park, Leicestershire on the 14th of September 2008. 
 

National, Senior TAG and Junior TAG Endurance Races

The nature of the circuit and the demands of the Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club Endurance Motorcycle Championship meant this was always going to be a difficult and challenging event but nobody could have anticipated the outcome of the race day.

With the mouth watering prospect of a full six hours racing and the two leading teams only separated by three points in the championship, as well as the three hour Junior race running concurrently - a good start was going to be important. Early morning practice confirmed GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Mike Dickenson/R1) as fastest out of the absolutely massive 39 machine grid with a time of 56.297s, a smidge ahead of leading Junior TAG outfit Track Craft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson). Track Craft were hoping to wrap the Junior 1000 TAG championship up at Mallory despite Mark carrying an injury from Cadwell Park, which also required an R1 rebuild conducted by Robin Hooker Racing who have previously raced in this series and hope to return with a trick Ducati 1098 – watch out and see if it appears at Silverstone in October! Newcomers and local circuit specialists RJS Superbike (Daniel Lane/Gary Arden/Steve Gillings) were top 600s less than half a second adrift from GBMoto and championship leaders Sweatshop Moores 2 (Hugh Brasher/Rod Lynn/Paul Smyth/R1) were back in 9th spot on the grid.

Dramas before the grid even lined up included an injured Mark Linscott being displaced at the Hottrax trackday on the Friday, on Sunday morning Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) saw Daz come off at the Esses after contact with a slowing 600 and TM72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) lost a machine which needed to be rebuilt before the off!

When the clock turned twelve the grid cleared quickly and ten minutes later Lee, one on the Rawlings Racing brothers (Lee and Mat Rawlings) tipped off at the exit to Edwinas bringing out the pace car for almost 15 minutes, this process cost Mike Dickenson who was dumped down to 18th, needing a meteoric ride to work his way back up through the pack. At the half hour spot Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker) almost stole the lead on the road before having to pit for a rider change just before Dickenson handed over to a limping Linscott.

After 60 minutes racing GBMoto held a lap over Track Craft, Ducks Cross Racing, Sweatshop Moores and Co-Ordit with Freaks of Racing Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson) in close contention. Eighty minutes into the race and the pace car made another appearance with the machines being held out on the track as medics tendered to fallen rider - motorcycling journalist Paul Smyth who had high sided at Edwinas on the Moores R1, at the same time the Rawlings rider was dispatched to hospital with a broken wrist. Riders and machines were held for around 90 minutes as Paul was taken to nearby Leicester Royal and the race organisers had to wait for returning medics and ambulances. After a couple of quick laps behind the Audi pace car the race was on again - not for the Sweatshop Moores 2 R1 which was damaged in Paul's accident and a holed crankcase spelled - 'game over' for the championship leaders. Track Craft were leading after 3 hours enjoying a whole lap advantage over the well ridden GBMoto R1, Co-Ordit were third with Ducks Cross (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6), the Freaks and White Tiger Racing (Nigel Bryan/Ash Joice/Chris Lang) in close contention.

On the four hour mark the race was going take another turn - Pete Gibson lost control of the Phoenix Endurance R6 (shared with Shelley Pike and Andy Jones) at the exit of the Esses, some debris from the Yamaha landing on the Devils Elbow part of the track. Early concerns for Pete were lightened as the paddock discovered it was another broken wrist requiring hospital treatment, requiring adequate paramedics at the circuit the race pack was held on the start/finish straight for another hour and a half. With around half an hour to go, what was supposed to be a 6 hour and a 3 hour race was a race to the chequered flag for all. With such a little time to go master strategists were at work, some bikes had well worn rubber, others were low on fuel but a brave sprint to the finish might net a move up the finishing positions for some of the clever teams. This was the case for Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar/R6) as Jim challenged fellow class protagonists Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson/Barry Salmon/R6) and the two bikes circulated in close company with Moores effecting a move on experienced circuit instructor Clarke within sight of the finish.

Leaders on the road Co-Ordit shot down the pitlane thinking they had seen the flag being shown, this was with a few laps still to run allowing Track Craft to finish 20 seconds in front of GBMoto giving Track Craft enough points to seal their title with a race to go. The team had used their entry at Cadwell in the Senior race to show other Junior competitors that it is not such a huge leap up to the higher level of endurance racing - the team has been fast and reliable and this has been rewarded with the 2008 Junior TAG 1000 championship. Freaks of Nature Too and Co-Ordit Racing will carry their championship battle for runner up spot into Silverstone next month. Pete Bradshaw of Co-Ordit Racing has recently announced withdrawal from their BSB campaign citing costs and an uncertain economic future as reasons, Pete is probably being sensible but I hope they continue to support HMRC activities and giving Richard Cooper the opportunity to ply his trade.

The National and Senior runners only scored half points in the championship, due to restricted race time completed, the retirement of Moores Sweatshop 2 allowing GBMoto to overtake them in the points and they will have to wait until Silverstone in October to decide the outcome of their class.

As an aside, my youngest – Nik and I took part in the trackday on Friday and we both had an absolute ball until rain stooped play just after lunch. When the two novices lined up to go out for the first time, Nigel Slater questioned whether we were in the right class – I assured him that after a couple of laps he would be convinced we were in the right class. Nik gave Nigel an old Army saying you could apply – ‘all the gear, no idea!’

On race day Nik was taking part in the Sweatshop Nottingham Marathon, having done the 13 mile event last year it was time for the real deal. The young pup completed in under four and a quarter hours – not bad considering his pre race prep was 10 days in Chicago on the p**s

In the hotly contested National Supersport class Darkside stay at the front despite Ducks Cross winning their race at Mallory and Moores are only a fraction ahead of Team Viking. Having already put to bed the Senior TAG 600 class title; Black Flag Racing (George Duncan/John Higham/Sam Smithson) could only manage third in class behind locals RJS and the consistent A&G Racing (Gary Jones/Mark Affleck).

Senior 1000 is the domain of Throttle Monkey 72 Racing who have wrapped the title up in front of White Tiger Racing led by colourful Aussie Nigel Bryan, winners today, ahead of SMF Racing (Paul Rogers/Simon Fenwick/Mike Ashton) and TM72. ETA Racing (Ian Courtts/Darren Brearley) did a sterling job to win the Junior 600 class with nearest rivals GBMoto Junior (Phill Clarke/Mario Costello) only managing fifth in class after a spill and a push in for Phill!
Spare a thought for Terje Joensen who hails from the Faroe Islands - no race circuits, not many two wheeled fanatics apart from Terje who has relocated to the UK to pursue his love of racing and will be returning to race at the final round at Silverstone on October 11th for Greg Wilson's Best Choice Endurance. having it easy by comparison is Black Flag’s George Duncan who only has to get back to Aberdeen after every fresh before being fresh for work on Monday.

National and Senior TAG Race – 6 hours

1 GB Moto * 172 laps
2 Ducks Cross Racing * 169 laps
3 Darkside Endurance 168 laps
4 RJS Superbike * 168 laps
5 Moores Racing 42 167 laps
6 Team Viking 167 laps
7 White Tiger Racing * 166 laps
8 SMF Racing 166 laps
9 A@G Racing 164 laps
10 Throttle Monkey 72 Racing 163 laps
11 Black Flag Racing 162 laps
12 Best Choice Endurance 155 laps
13 Phoenix Endurance 130 laps u/c
14 Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 69 laps u/c

* Denotes Class Winners
Fastest Lap GBMoto 53.368s



Junior 1000 and 600 TAG Race – 6 hours

1 Track Craft * 172 laps
2 Co-Ordit Racing 172 laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too 170 laps
4 Profibre 168 laps
5 Advance Bike Shipping 167 laps
6 ETA Racing * 164 laps
7 Pit Stop Racing 163 laps
8 TMR Racing 163 laps
9 One Minute Wonders 163 laps
10 Monkey Six 161 laps
11 GBMoto Junior 160 laps
12 SOBER 160 laps
13 Gasi Racing 160 laps
14 Throttle To The Stop Racing 159 laps
15 MIB 156 laps
16 Name With Held 156 laps
17 Team Tortoise 153 laps
18 Go Dive Racing 152 laps
19 Whitewall Racing 152 laps
20 MC Racing 150 laps
21 Pirate Racing 149 laps
22 Freaks of Nature 148 laps
23 Spellfame Racing 81 laps u/c
24 DNR Motorsport 55 laps u/c
25 Rawlings Racing 10 laps u/c

* Denotes Class Winners
Fastest Lap Track Craft 52.068s 
 

Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club National and Junior + Senior TAG Endurance Motorcycle Championship – Round Five at Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire on 30th August 2008

National and Senior TAG Endurance 4 Hours

The two leading National endurance teams arrived in Lincolnshire separated by a handful of points as the seven race championship entered the second half and it was National Superstock 600 rider Jon Railton, who less than a week ago was racing at Cadwell in the BSB series, who set pole on his Ducks Cross Racing R6 (Jon Railton/Martin Landmann) at 1m 36.442s which was more than half a second ahead of 2007 champions GB Moto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/R1) and current Junior TAG champions Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickinson) who were a tenth of a second further down the cut. Making their Senior debut were GBMoto Senior (Phill Clarke/Grant + Helen Gaskin) who were over a second faster than current title leaders Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher, Rod Lynn/James Hurrell). Helen’s other half, Grant, was in the programme to race before he damaged his foot before taking to the grid, whilst paramedic Helen had been nursing a wobbly leg from an incident earlier this season and remember GBMoto Junior stalwart Sam Godfrey also damaged her leg in a bad fall at Round 3 in Pembrey!

Cadwell marked the largest entry of the season and some riders and teams were contesting the four hour race, having only completed the two hour version half an hour before the start of the National and Senior TAG Endurance race.

Other regulars in the Junior championship who ‘stepped up to the plate’ at Cadwell were: S and P Racing who included the flying doctor Hazel Drury, Team SOBER (Junior TAG winners with Mark Linscott in 2007) and Team Throttle Monkey.

All Jon's best endeavours turned to dust as his drive chain broke only metres away from the Le Mans start, this resulted in 20 minutes being spent rectifying the problem before the young rider ventured back into the fray. From the start it was Trackcraft, GBMoto and Sweatshop Moores who established themselves as top dogs, trading fastest times and positions at the front. This followed a very early appearance by Dave Mabbutt in the pace car to enable marshals to recover debris from Charlies and Mansfield and for CEMAN Racing to push back into the pitlane from Barn Corner. Another faller was First Form Racing (Paul Robey/Jay Smith) who's Kawasaki ZX10R spilt at the chicane after Gooseneck - the green meanie soon pitted and was back on it's way.

By the forty minute mark only the leading trio were on the same lap and were swapping fastest laps and positions, seven minutes later Mark Linscott was off at the chicane requiring the pace car to make another appearance whilst rider and machine were tidied up, Mark was later dispatched to nearby Louth for a check up and thankfully was back at the track for prize giving time. Later reports confirm that Limpy was back in time for a cool beer at the prize giving and is already looking forward to Mallory in two week’s time – what a top man!

After an hour Sweatshop Moores held a lap over GBMoto with Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) in close company a lap ahead of White Tiger Racing Nigel Bryan/Ash Joice/Chris Lang), Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson/Barry Salmon/Hon600), Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar/R6) and A&G Racing (Gary Jones/Mark Affleck).

During the second hour GBMoto had taken the lead, Sweatshop Moores' Rod Lynn had spent too much time in the saddle following a frustrating Manx Grand Prix visit (two and a half weeks on the Island and no racing miles achieved!) and Mike 'Juan' Dickenson was going solo on his Trackcraft R1 whilst riding partner Linscott was away receiving medical attention - as long as Mike observed the rest periods as prescribed in the technical regulations, a finish looked possible.
Remember Mike’s son Craig who rode in KRC and HMRC at Mallory and Pembrey during 2007? Solid and fast rider Craig is not riding this year, having focussed himself on his academic career which sees him move to London to pursue his studies – he did admit he will miss the bikes as he helped out Trackcraft over the weekend.

Half distance reported that GBMoto, using only two riders for this 'short' race, enjoyed a two lap advantage over champ rivals Sweatshop Moores who were two laps ahead of a trio of 600 runners - Darkside, Viking, and Moores.

A further lap down were Throttle Monkey 72 Senior 1000 (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) who were hoping to wrap up their championship today needing a mere ten points, White Tiger and series newcomers Paul Gaskin Racing (Dean Brown/Paul Gaskin/ZX6). White Tiger man Nigel Bryan is over in the UK just racing in the HMRC series before blasting off back to the other side of the world.

Back in the pits to retire for good was Ducks Cross whose original chain break had caused other problems for the rear wheel, with the spare bike back in the paddock (remember - this circuit configuration means we were all living on an island for the afternoon!) - it was game over for the blue and yellow Yamaha. Third man Grant Wagstaff didn’t even make the grid – recently he fell out of a tree damaging his arm + ego – doh!

Really making their mark in the third hour were the Throttle Monkeys who had worked their way up to a solid fourth spot and were chasing down Darkside with some gusto in their bid to make the 2008 Senior TAG title their own. With the final fifteen minutes of the race to run it was still close on the road for a number of teams keen on picking up places which saw Moores Racing narrowly overtake the Throttle Monkey boys. SMF Racing (Paul Rogers/Simon Fenwick/Mike Ashton) overhauled White Tiger for seventh spot and further down the field A&G made up a place, their afternoon included Gary Jones discovering a much slower rider whilst coming over the Mountain resulting in taking the grass in a horizontal fashion and testing out the effectiveness of the crash bungs!

The ever helpful Fraser Greenroyd was able to turn his speed gun away from the pit lane for a few moments and recorded some random speeds across the start/finish line showing Sweatshop Moores 129mph, GBMoto 126mph, SOBER 123mph and TM 72 122mph – these were a tad slower than the Juniors who raced earlier in the day and all the speeds were taken at a time when there were no yellows being shown around the course.

Talk about a Busman’s Holiday – after the Cadwell round Darkside’s Andy Buik was riding over to the Isle of Man for a bit of a break on a borrowed R6. It is unlikely he will run into Phoenix Endurance, who was missing from Cadwell, having decided to contest the Manx Grand Prix at the expense of harvesting points in the National Supersport class. Read of their exploits in the ‘Randoms’ section of this website later on this week.

At the conclusion of this fantastic race; GBMoto took a well deserved win with three laps over nearest championship rivals, Sweatshop Moores, Darkside will have been pleased with their podium place ahead of Moores Racing with an ecstatic Throttle Monkey 72 Racing - closing the top six were Team Viking who worked very hard for a third in class to finish on the same lap as newcomers SMF Racing. With an eye to the championship points and the remaining two rounds – it’s really open at the front between Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 and GBMoto setting an exciting stage for Mallory in two weeks time and Silverstone in October. Series newcomers, TM 72 have won their championship – a tribute to their season long professionalism partnered with fast and consistent riding and the hard working Black Flag Racing are now the 2008 Senior 600 TAG Endurance champions.

Results

1 GBMoto* 138 laps
2 Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 135 laps
3 Darkside Endurance* 132 laps
4 Moores Racing 131 laps
5 TM72 Racing* 131 laps
6 Team Viking 130 laps
7 SMF Racing 130 laps
8 White Tiger Racing 129 laps
9 Paul Gaskin Racing 129 laps
10 Team Throttle Monkey 128 laps
11 S and P Racing 128 laps
12 Team SOBER 126 laps
13 CEMAN Racing 126 laps
14 Black Flag Racing* 124 laps
15 A & G Racing 124 laps
16 GBMoto Senior 123 laps
17 AMA Racing 107 laps
18 Trackcraft 98 laps
19 Ducks Cross 70 laps
20 First Form Racing 31 laps

* denotes class winners

Fastest Lap GBMoto 1m 36.367s

Junior TAG Endurance 2 Hours

sorrymate.com (Craig Sproston/Bruce Wilson/Junior 600) were able to turn their well earned pole, over 0.6 seconds ahead of current championship leaders Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson/Junior 1000) into first on the road in the early stages of this two hour race from endurance debutants Pringle Racing (Ian Roebuck/Keith Pringle) and series regulars and serious contenders Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker). Trackcraft experienced a catastrophic start from the grid but had soon worked themselves up to a handy third place and by the forty minute mark they were leading. Just before the half way mark MC Racing (Mark Wadeson/Jason McKinnon) fell at the Gooseneck and third placed Co-Ordit were handed a one minute stop-go penalty in the pit box which effectively dropped the down the field by two laps and down to sixth as a rash of planned pit stops occurred.

Trackcraft were able to pit at sixty minutes and return to the track without losing their leading position - yet to be displaced Co-Ordit were second and Billericay Coachworks (Kevin Maxted/Tim Gorringe) who have always been heading in the right direction were third ahead of sorrymate.com and the Pringles. Rounding out the top spots were Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Mark Nixon) and GBMoto Junior (Phill Clarke/Danny Brill).

In the second half of the race nobody was able to approach or threaten Trackcraft on their pair of well prepared Yamaha R1s - the team now enjoying increased involvement by Pirelli who are looking at the partnership with Trackcraft in the Hottrax series to use and evaluate tyres, learning and developing products throughout the season. A fantastic second spot went to Fergus Dalgarno's sorrymate.com line up of riders he sponsors at National 600 Superstock level which includes rapid bike journo Bruce Wilson, they were less than a minute behind the leading crew. A well deserved third went to Co-Ordit who rode hard and were slick in their pit work to amass some more silverware and championship points. Billericay Coachworks were fourth only ten seconds away from the crew in front but a lap ahead of Freaks of Nature Too and Pringle Racing - completing the top six in the Junior 1000 class were The Gas Doctors (Derek Gulbrandsen/Steve Griffiths). GBMoto kept out of trouble and rode well to finish in seventh on the road and second in class, third Junior 600 team were Pit Stop Racing (Peter and Marc Dilks) ahead of ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley), NA Racing (Anthony Burman/Nathan Horsfield) and DNR Motorsport (Richard Payne/Dave Brooking).

To demonstrate how close this type of racing is, after two hours; first and second were only 40 seconds apart, they were a Junior 1000 and a 600 machine. In the top 14 overall no less than seven riders were on the same lap and separated by a mere 60 seconds and two Junior 600 teams produced the fastest laps of the race ahead of that set by the winning Trackcraft team.

Fraser G was out with his speed gun and clocked some teams riding past the pits; Trackcraft 133mph, Co-Ordit 131mph, sorrymate.com 127mph and GBMoto Junior 118mph, conditions were warm and dry.


Results

Junior 1000

1 Trackcraft * 71 laps
2 Co-Ordit Racing 70 laps
3 Billericay Coachworks 70 laps
4 Freaks of Nature Too 69 laps
5 Pringle Racing 69 laps
6 The Gas Doctors 67 laps
7 Crisis Racing 67 laps
8 Spellfame Racing 67 laps
9 MIB 65 laps
10 Advance Bike Shipping 65 laps
11 Rawlings Racing 65 laps
12 Rabbitt Racing 61 laps
13 SOBER 61 laps
14 Team Tortoise 61 laps
15 Name With Held 60 laps
16 Pirate Racing 60 laps
17 Freaks of Nature 56 laps
18 MC Racing 46 laps

* denotes class winner
Fastest Lap Trackcraft 1m 36.993s

Junior 600

1 sorrymate.com * 71 laps
2 GBMoto Junior 68 laps
3 Pit Stop Racing 67 laps
4 ETA Racing 67 laps
5 NA Racing 67 laps
6 DNR Motorsport 67 laps
7 RC Racing 66 laps
8 TM 72 Juniors 65 laps
9 Dos Cerdo De Sidra 64 laps
10 Gasi Racing 64 laps
11 Demonbikes.com 64 laps
12 Team Monkey 6 61 laps
13 I.E. Motorsport 56 laps

* denotes class winner
Fastest Lap sorrymate.com 1m 36.336s

HMRC Round Four at Snetterton, Norfolk on 02 + 03 August 2008

National & Senior TAG Endurance 6 Hours

Visiting BSB team Co-Ordit Racing (Phil Bevan/Richard Cooper/Pete Bradshaw/R1) grabbed pole by over a second from title chasers Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Rod Lynn/Ben Wylie/R1) with last years champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Mike Dickenson/R1) rounding off the top 3. Newcomers Ecclectic Racing (Guy Bolam/Robert Pike/Paul Noble) and T3 Racing (Andrew Marriott/Lance Carey/Simon Marriott) were next up whilst both Senior TAG teams were followed home by freelance motorcycle journo Paul Smyth on the Best Choice Endurance R6 (Richard Greenland/Alan Stevens/Paul Smythe).

Drama occurred at the very start of the race with Co-Ordit being last off the grid in drying conditions. The mercurial Cooperman rocketing into 6th spot after lap 2 when the pace car appeared after an early off by John Higham on the Black Flag Racing 600 (George Duncan/John Higham/Sam Smithson), which also involved George Bicket on the AMA R1 (George Bicket/Mark Westcott/Robert Knoyle). By 30 minutes Cooperman was comfortably in control from Sweatshop Moores & GBMoto as MAD Racing (Darryll Elliot/Mick Watts/Andrew Browning) went missing from the field. Pitlane was busy with AMA rejoining without a fairing – a sort of street fighter/endurance hybrid, MAD pitted for repairs before the one hour mark which saw Co-Ordit less than 2 seconds in front of GBMoto whilst BSB Supersport warrior Ben Wylie dumped the R1 at Russells necessitating a trip to hospital with a dislocated shoulder. Best Choice were in the wars and required a spell in the garage to repair the effects of a low-side and Rod Lynn pitted the R1 again after much shaking of the head on the quick side of the pit wall indicating concerns as to the bike’s condition and speed.

At third distance GBMoto held a 6 second lead over the ‘quicker on track’ Co-Ordit R1, Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6) were a couple of laps down with Senior newcomers Ecclectic Racing in a handy fourth place on a line up which included the KTM LC8. On the same lap were the consistently quick R6 of Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone), Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar/R6) were a lap down from their class rivals. The third hour was not, however a good one for Ecclectic, from challenging for a podium place on their debut, they tipped off at Russells requiring the transponder to be picked up to allow the KTM LC8 to continue. Robert who runs the KTM is intending to wring a bit more speed out of the motor however there are currently only a few performance bits available so watch this space. Best Choice spent a while too long in the garage following that earlier spill and coupled with two penalties for infringements it was always going to be a tall order to recover a higher position.

Co-Ordit held a three lap advantage over GBMoto at the half way point with Ducks X a solid third from the Moores Racing R6 who was now ahead of Darkside. On the same lap was White Tiger Racing (Nigel Bryan/Ash Joice/Chris Lang) – Nigel travelling from Australia to contest the final four HMRC rounds of the championship, Ecclectic & T3.

Pit stops shuffled positions and the Sweatshop R1 was a regular visitor to the pits as the gear selector was flexing under pressure making gear selection difficult. The trick here was for the team to complete at least 75% of the winning distance to keep at the top of the table going into the final three races of the season.

Co-Ordit kept their 3 lap lead going into the final third of the race ahead of a chasing GBMoto who never gave up hunting down the BSB visitors, Ducks X consolidated a good third 3 laps up on Moores R6 with again Eclectic, T3 and White Tiger sharing the same lap. Earlier Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d’Albertanson/Barry Salmon/R6) had experienced a punctured slick costing them time lost out on track as well as in the pits. Barry was enjoying his comeback ride after injury at Round One in Anglesey, after the race Barry was to make a sharp exit down the A11 on his BMW 1200 to make a Channel crossing and motor on to the Nurburgring where he was instructing on the track early Monday morning – on my way home from Snett, I followed him for a while before our paths went separate ways and judging from his speed he should have made Germany by midnight!

When it really mattered Co-Ordit Racing secured their first win in the National Endurance championship ahead of GBMoto who did their title hopes no harm by finishing second a mere lap down. Ducks X were a brilliant third and first 600 home ahead of class rivals Darkside and Moores who could have been second in class but for an infringement during the race. Sweatshop Moores - championship leaders going into Round Four - finished 14th on the road but more importantly fourth on class to make it nice and close at the top of the table with GBMoto.

The Senior class was won Ecclectic Racing from White Tiger and Throttle Monkey 72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) and series newcomers T3 – originally planning to contest three Hinckley Triumphs – were delighted to take the Senior 600 class. T3 had entered this meeting as a practice run out before the Triumph 675 series comes to Snetterton in September, Lance Carey is currently in the top six of the championship and hopes to improve and consolidate that position by the end of the season, all riders were thoroughly impressed by the HMRC series.

First Form Racing (Paul Robey/Jay Smith/ZX10R) plugged away throughout the six hours and was rewarded with a third in the ProSuperbike class, whilst Feisty Racing (Susie Grayson/Deb Cartright/Amanda Wake/R6) worked hard to consolidate 11th place overall and 4th in class. Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Andy Jones/Pete Gibson just lost out to 5th in the ultra competitive Supersport class being passes by Team Viking in the closing stages. Phoenix will be missing the next round at Cadwell as they are away contesting the Manx Grand Prix during late August.

I make no apologies for it – I am a big Richard Cooper fan, ever since seeing him race at Darley Moor, Derbyshire. The weekend after Snetterton he will be peddling a works BMW around Oschersleben in the World Endurance Championship – he is winning in the KTM national series as well as Rob Mac’s R1 Cup – give that man a works ride! Richard joined Co-Ordit after Guy Martin was entered and unable to commit – Guy racing in the HMRC series, another must see event! It’s good to see Co-Ordit supporting this championship, with a busy schedule they also raced at Snetterton back in May but gremlins meant they dropped from contention in the later half of the race. As well as team principle Pete Bradshaw racing in the National race, they enter the Junior series as well.

Massive congratulations to Andy Jones who married the lovely Annie on the Friday before the meeting, Annie hails from the village of East Harling (next door to the circuit) and the honeymoon was spent in the wet at Snetterton! – The couple celebrated on track aboard Andy’s Ducati and we wish them all the best for the future.

Results

1 Co-Ordit Racing * 280 laps
2 GBMoto 279 laps
3 Ducks Cross Racing * 270 laps
4 Darkside Endurance 267 laps
5 Moores Racing 266 laps
6 Ecclectic Racing * 266 laps
7 T3 Racing * 264 laps
8 White Tiger Racing 262 laps
9 First Form Endurance 262 laps
10 Throttle Monkey 72 Racing 260 laps
11 Feisty Racing 258 laps
12 Team Viking 255 laps
13 Phoenix Endurance 255 laps
14 Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 247 laps
15 Black Flag Racing 241 laps
16 MAD Racing 239 laps
17 Best Choice Endurance 233 laps
18 AMA Racing 227 laps

Fastest Lap Richard Cooper (Co-Ordit Racing) 1m 08.654s 102.357mph
* denotes class winners



Junior TAG Endurance - 3 Hours

Another massive grid amassed at a changeable Snetterton, following dryish qualifying it was British Supersport Cup leader Craig Fitzpatrick who secured pole by well over a second from other national 600 runner Jenny Tinmouth with championship leaders Team Trackcraft in third. At the start of the three hour race it was obvious that the weather and tyre choice would be paramount for race success. Fitz established an early lead with Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) and Freaks of Nature Too (Dave Stewartson/Kevin Tait) following in his wake, sometimes literally. A couple of riders alighted around the circuit as they tried to judge conditions including Sorrymate.com which introduced the pace car for the first time for 20+ minutes leaving teams to make their minds up how to best utilise the pit stop to gain maximum advantage from the situation.

Around the hour mark the heavens opened and wets were order of the day - Trackcraft were now at the front ahead of Co-Ordit (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker), GBMoto Junior (Sam Neate/Maria Costello) & Advanced Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) who had earlier lead on the roads. At two thirds distance Trackcraft led before another pace car appearance caused a spate of carefully timed pit stops. In the final 30 minutes doused in warm sunshine, GBMoto Junior held a slender lead over Freaks of Nature Too which was maintained to the flag; however both teams were two laps adrift of the first place R1s of Linscott & Dickenson. In fourth place was Advanced Bike Shipping - their best placing of the season. The Rawlings Racing brothers, Lee and Matt, finished in fifth and rounding off the top seven were Spellframe Racing who was 20 seconds ahead of MIB with second 600 home, ETA Racing in eighth.

Results

1 Team Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) * 113laps
2 GBMoto Junior (Sam Neate/Maria Costello) * 111laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too (Dave Stewartson/Kevin Tait) 111laps
4 Advanced Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) 110laps
5 Rawlings Racing (Lee & Matt Rawlings) 109laps

6 Spellfame Racing (Andy Main/Richard Lloyd) 109 laps 
7 MIB (Dave Padley/Greg Allsop) 108laps 
8 ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley) 108laps 
9 S and P Racing (Peter Carr/Scott Adam) 107laps 
10 PUR Racing (Rob Wardle/Pete Allen) 107laps
11 Gasi Racing (Grant & Helen Gaskins) 107laps
12 SMF Racing (Pete Rogers/Simon Fenwick) 106laps
13 Slaters Bikes (Nigel Slater/Lee Trumble) 106laps
14 Throttle Monkey 172 (Claire Bowyer/Ryan Peters) 106laps
15 Damoose Racing (Mark Harrison/Andrew Barratt) 106laps
16 BLDS Couriers (Craig Fitzpatrick/William Lilly) 105laps
17 Name With Held (Phil Muldowney/Tim Westley) 105laps
18 Demonbikes.com (Bill Hunnan/Paul McCormack 104laps
19 RC Racing (Carl Costa/Richard Spencer Fleet) 104laps 
20 SOBER (Gary Bransgrove/Steve Callahan) 103laps
21 MC Racing (Mark Wadeson/Jason McKinnon) 101laps
22 Monkey Six (Dave Allen/Steven Baggett) 101laps
23 Lone Dangers (Paul Ratite/Gary James) 100laps
24 Throttle Monkey (Geoff Rhodes/Dion Robinson) 100laps
25 Rabbit Racing (Ray Warren/Aaron Hobart) 99laps
26 Roundall Racing (Simon Allen/Dave Rose) 98laps
27 GT Racing (Keith Tribe/Brad Parts) 95laps
28 Team Tortoise (Grahame Marshall/Brett Allsop) 86laps
29 DNR Motorsport (Richard Payne/Dave Brooking) 80laps

Fastest lap Craig Fitzpatrick 1m 10.802s 99.251mph

* denotes class winners


MotoGrande Race 1 – 20 laps

Run in sunny but damp conditions, front row man Greg Allsop shot off into the lead leaving Deb Cartright and ex endurance racer Richard Cunningham in his wake with ‘back to racing’ Andy McKnight in close contention. As the track dried Allsop pushed a little too hard at Coram and crashed out leaving Feisty Racing’s Deb to chase after McKnight. At the conclusion the pink R6 rider caught but couldn't pass the 1000 Suzuki, the gap being less than a quarter of a second. Even closer were Jed Angles and Cunningham with Nathan Horsfield & the throaty Aprilia of David Rose rounding off the top six.

Results

1 Andy McKnight 1000 Suzuki
2 Deb Cartright 600 Yamaha
3 Jed Angles 1000 Kawasaki
4 Richard Cunningham 1000 Yamaha
5 Nathan Horsfield 600 Yamaha
6 David Rose 1000 Aprilia
7 Tom Rutherford 1000 Yamaha
8 Russell Horton 600 Yamaha
9 Ray Warren 1000 Yamaha
10 Mark Floyd
11 John Higham 600 Yamaha
12 Aaron Hobart 600 Yamaha

Fastest Lap Greg Allsop 1m 16.897s 91.385mph

MotoGrande Race 2 – 22 laps

Richard Cunningham cleverly turned pole into an emphatic win of 36 seconds in the second MotoGrande race. Behind Richard there was a battle royal for the rest of the top six places. Ryan Peters was busy compounding a solid podium place before taking to the grass in the second half of the race and having to fight his way back into sixth and first 600 home. Dion Robinson, Gary Bransgrove and Scott Adam fought all the way and Jed Angles was fifth and a lap down on the leaders. Having a ding dong battle were Nigel Slater & Martin Stainer on a brace of Hornets to complete the top three 600s. Winner Richard is currently supporting Steve Mercer racing at national level and is an endurance veteran of some repute himself.

Results

1 Richard Cunningham 1000 Yamaha
2 Dion Robinson
3 Gary Bransgrove 1000 Suzuki
4 Scott Adam 1000 Aprilia
5 Jed Angles 1000 Kawasaki
6 Ryan Peters 600 Yamaha
7 Mark Floyd
8 Nigel Slater 600 Honda
9 Mark Stanier 600 Honda
10 David Rose 1000 Aprilia
11 Helen Gaskins 750 Suzuki
12 Simon Allen 1000 Aprilia

Fastest Lap Richie Cunningham 1m 14.112s 94.819mph

HMRC Round Three at Pembrey, South Wales on 21 + 22nd June 2008

MotoGrande - Race 1 - 15 laps

17 riders had qualified for the two races of the MotoGrande series and from the drop of the Welsh flag it was Greg Allsop who made top spot his own and never looked back despite the changeable weather conditions. Second in practice, Gary Jones started at the back of the grid after enjoyed a lightening start but pulled in after 3 laps. The 18 lapper was red flagged early due to a spill by Jed Angles which rendered him pinned down by his Kawasaki ZX10R, confirming Allsop as winner from Dave Stewardson, poleman Duncan Knox and Throttle Monkey Man Eric Chitty, GBMoto Junior racer Phill Clarke kept ahead of James Walker riding an ex Phase One Suzuki 750. It was good to see, and hear all three Aprilias running till then including the RAF lads who form Roundall Racing in the Junior Endurance championship.

Results
1 Greg Allsop * Tri 675
2 Dave Stewardson * Hon 600
3 Duncan Knox Hon 600
4 Eric Chitty Suz 750
5 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
6 James Walker Suz 750
7 David Rose Apr RSVR
8 Ed Pashley Tri 675
9 Kevin Doughty Apr RSVR
10 Russell Horton Yam 600
11 Simon Allen Apr RSVR
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Dave Stewardson 1m 03.039s 83.149 mph


MotoGrande - Race 2 - 13 laps

Dave Stewardson secured the hole shot in dry but windy conditions and was never challenged, leaving in his wake the rest of the MotoGrande field. The race was red flagged after Samantha Godfrey had high sided her Kaw 600 exiting Debini, confirming Stewardson as winner, only 1.3s ahead of Race 1 winner, Greg Allsop, Duncan Knox, Gary Jones and Sam Godfrey’s team mate, Phill Clarke who is really enjoying his season so far, Phase One personnel James Walker rounded off the top six, in seventh was Sean Moss, Gary Jones’ Junior team mate. Further down the field we had the Rabbit Racing pair bringing up the rear.

Samantha was taken to a nearby hospital with a suspected broken leg; we look forward to her return to the action. It was Sam’s wish that Mick stay at the circuit as GBMoto National rider rather than spend hours hanging around a hospital A & E department – what fine selfless judgement, come back quick Sam!

Results
1 Dave Stewardson* Hon 600
2 Greg Allsop * Tri 675
3 Duncan Knox Hon 600
4 Gary Jones Yam 600
5 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
6 James Walker Suz 750
7 Sean Moss Hon 600
8 David Rose Apr RSVR
9 Ed Pashley Tri 675
10 Russell Horton Yam 600
11 Ray Warren Yam 1000
12 Aaron Hobart Yam 600
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Greg Allsop 1m 02.738s 83.547 mph

Junior TAG Endurance Championship

Once again for the 2008 season, championship leaders Team Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) were proficient in converting pole into a win in the two hour encounter. This was not a total domination for the pairing as tyre choice was to play an important role to play in the outcome – currently regulations state a rider must remain on the tyre which they start out on and with rapidly varying weather conditions, the initial choice of rubber has never been more crucial.

In the early stages of the race it was Trackcraft who set the pace ahead of Freaks of Nature Too (Kevin Tait/Dave Stewardson), Team MIB (Greg Allsop/Tom Rutherford) and Gasi Racing (Grant Gaskins/Paul Hodge) – Paul Hodge replaces Grant’s wife Helen who was seen scuttling around on crutches on the Saturday. Following the introduction of the pace car it was Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker) who seized the lead, enjoying a 27s advantaged which was maintained at the one hour mark over Trackcraft – the pursuing five teams (Freaks of Nature Too, Billericay Coachworks (Kevin Maxted/Tim Gorringe), Team MIB (Tom had endured a spill during the race which cost them some time and places), Gas Doctors (Dene John/Steve Griffiths) and Team Throttle Monkey (Andy Buik/Richard Gammon)) who were a lap adrift but nicely bunched up. In the 600 class, front row starters sorrymate.com (Jenny Tinmouth/Fergus Dalgarno) led four of their classmates all on the same lap – close racing or what? Jenny has been riding impressively recently as her performance in Hottrax Junior and at Brands Hatch in Thundersports recently indicates; Fergus admits he is riding better as a result of Jenny’s imput into his riding.

Tyre choice strategy kicked in again as the weather conditions rapidly changed from dry and windy to saturation and windy. In the closing stages of the race, Trackcraft and Co-Ordit were less than half a lap out of touch in the Junior 1000s, ditto in the 600s sorrymate.com were only just ahead of Snails Pace Racing (Sean Moss/Gary Jones) who were deducted a lap as Moss stayed out on the track longer than is permissible in the rules. Up until the last round at Snetterton, both Gary and Sean were part of Best Choice Racing at national level; they have now switched to the Junior race using their own machines. Similar penalties were also metered out to other teams who had committed similar indiscretions.

Newcomers to racing the Gas Doctors, a pair of local trackday participants, were a little surprised to find themselves second quickest on the grid in qualifying, they made the most of their start, both had a couple of sweat inducing moments on the way to the flag finishing 5th in class – both riders were delighted and hope to reappear at rounds in the future, confirming the purpose of Junior Endurance as the next rider development stage from being trackday regulars.

Results
1 Team Trackcraft* 106 laps
2 Co-Ordit Racing 106 laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too 105 laps
4 Billericay Coachworks 104 laps
5 Gas Doctors 104 laps
6 Team Throttle Monkey 103laps
7 sorrymate.com * 102 laps
8 Electric Lemonade 102 laps
9 Team MIB 101 laps
10 Spellframe Racing 101 laps
11 Gasi racing 101 laps
12 Advance Bike Shipping 100 laps
13 DNR Motorsport 100 laps
14 GBMoto Junior 100 laps
15 Rawlings Racing 100 laps
16 Snails Pace Racing 100 laps
17 ETA Racing 99 laps
18 Dos Albaniles 98 laps
19 Team Monkey 6 98 laps
20 Team Sober 97 laps
21 Freaks of Nature 96 laps
22 Team Tortoise 94 laps
23 Pirate Racing 94 laps
24 Rabbit Racing 92 laps
25 Roundall Racing 91 laps
26 MC racing 89 laps
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Co-Ordit Racing 1m 02.091s 84.418 mph

National + Senior TAG Endurance

Pembrey pole was pinned by 2007 champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Pete Jennings/Yamaha R1) in changeable conditions on the day before the race – the only team to dip under the minute mark with a 59.918s. The majority of the teams had experienced dramas during practice or qualifying; welcome returnees to the series Uprite Racing (Rod Lynn/Alex Cudlin/Declan Swanton/Suz 1000), and second fastest, had lost their number one engine and spent over six hours throughout the night trying to fix it, eventually fitting last year’s plant for the Sunday race, testament to the work of Triff, Gresh and the gang. In 2007, Uprite won three out of the five National races but failed to take the title due to the consistent performance of GBMoto. Current series leaders Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul-Scott/Yamaha R1) also said goodbye to their only engine, managing to locate a standard road engine from a breaker, miles away from the track – a journey to collect + purchase the replacement item was followed by an impressive engine swap by the Moores men in less that 90 minutes. Third fastest was Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Andy Jones/Mark Long/R6) making the most of circuit specialist Long and a well prepared Yamaha, Mark was deputising for Pete Gibson who was away at a social event!

At the start just before midday it was GBMoto who sprinted ahead keeping a respectable lead over the chasing opposition, pitting around the one hour mark and keeping their lead on the road, early dramas for Sweatshop Moores who spent 45 minutes pitted to sort the machine out after an
‘off’ by John Paul Scott, Moore’s R6 (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) also returned to pitlane after Jim fell off at the hairpin following contact with a slower rider. This R6 had been suffering all weekend with binding brakes and took to the start line with the same issues, the team had literally tried everything to rectify the gremlin but to no avail – a DNF would effectively put paid to Moores championship battle.

We had also lost Greg Wilson’s Best Choice Endurance (Richard Greenland/David Hockham/Stuart Holloway – a strong combination with lots of North Gloucester experience of Pembrey at Streetstocks level) after the R6 continued at speed into the foam protection barrier, again at the hairpin, and it was impossible to retrieve the stricken machine so the team remained frustrated until they could leave the track after the race had finished.

Just prior to the two hour mark Uprite pitted with overheating problems which kept the team busy for a while, at the same time GBMoto had built up a 5 lap advantage over nearest rival, the Supersport of Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6). Congratulations to student Jon who recently started blagging championship points at BSB meetings, starting with Snetterton. The Phoenix Endurance R6 was next in for a long stop at Shelley Pike tried to locate the source of disturbing and costly engine noises, eventually retiring from the race. This was a rare blemish in the team’s history where retirements are very rare indeed!

Uprite were back under the awning with a cooked generator – a legacy of the earlier overheating problems and Sweatshop Moores were back in the groove, working towards achieving 75% of the winner’s distance to qualify for championship points at the end of the round and work towards the championship.

Half way point of the race saw GBMoto heading the first of the 600s by a convincing 7 laps over Ducks X – we also had Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) and Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson) on the same lap a mere 4 seconds apart.

More dramas for Uprite, at one stage they were absolutely flying before the stopwatches showed a downturn in speed – rider Rod Lynn was called in for fresh rubber and returned to the fray as Team Viking were up to third place before dropping back. Uprite retired 40 minutes later, just after the four hour mark, when last year’s engine cried enough on the start/finish straight, a major disappointment to crew chief Max Scholl, the team and the trio of young top riders with masses of valuable experience.

For the closing stages GBMoto continued to rack up the laps and win the race by a convincing 18 laps over Ducks X, a real fight for third place saw Darkside beat Throttle Monkey (Dave Stewardson/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) who had had a steady race with a very respectable outcome and finished on the same lap as their rivals. Viking were a mere lap adrift in fifth ahead of Black Flag Racing (George Duncan/Sam Smithson) demoting Black Cat Racing (George Bicket/Mark Westcott/Robert Knoyle) in the final couple of laps of the race, Moores Racing and Sweatshop Moores never really recovering from loosing so much time early in the race.

Spare a thought for Dave Stewardson who entered every race of the weekend and came away with a fist and second in MotoGrande, a third place in the 2 hour Junior and, replacing at the last minute, non starter Andy McKnight sporting crutches!, a fourth and a class win in the 6 hour Senior race! Andy was given the very important task of flagging the race away. As well as riding for the winning team, Mick Godfrey dropped the chequered cloth effectively on the third round of the Hottrax Motorsport Racing Club National and Senior Endurance Race.

Not even halfway stage of the championship and it’s getting closer at the top of the points table, and anything can happen in endurance racing, Round 4 is at Snetterton on 2nd + 3rd August 2008.

Results
1 GBMoto * 337 laps
2 Ducks Cross Racing * 319 laps
3 Darkside Endurance 315 laps
4 Throttle Monkey 72 racing * 315 laps
5 Team Viking 314 laps
6 Black Flag Racing * 307 laps
7 Black Cat Racing 307 laps
8 Moores Racing 301 laps
9 Sweatshop Moores 280 laps
10 Uprite Racing 193 laps
11 Phoenix Endurance 66 laps
12 Best Choice Endurance 15 laps
*Class winner
Fastest Lap GBMoto 59.887s 87.525 mph 

HMRC Round Two at Snetterton, Norfolk on 17th + 18th May 2008

Junior TAG Endurance Championship - 2 hours

A massive entry of 68 riders and 34 machines assembled on the grid for the 2 hour Junior TAG Endurance race in damp conditions at the Snetterton circuit. First round winners Team RHR (Robin Hooker/Stephan Capella) failed to make the grid following a testing accident by Capella, leaving Team Trackcraft (Mark Linscott/Mike Dickenson) to take a wet pole position with a time of 1m 16.945s. New to series, IBEX Scaffolding Race Team (Kevin Maxted/Neil Gregory) impressed as next fastest with Gregory in only his fourth ever race. Top 600 outfit were Sorrymate.com (Jenny Tinmouth/Fergus Dalgarno) who were sixth fastest overall. If you ever get into a spot of bother contact Fergus for his expertise, advice and support concerning legal matters. Jenny on the other hand is a very quick rider and rode the BSB Rizla Suzuki last year at Mallory's Race of the Year to good effect.

After the start it was Trackcraft who established and maintained a sensible lead to keep out of trouble for the duration of the race. IBEX had been caught out by the flag, initially loosing ground on the front of the field, but some sterling riding by track day instructor Maxted had them at the sharp end again. Carl Costa managed to dump his Triumph 675 only five minutes after starting the race after an unfortunate highside, whilst Team MIB struggled for reliability following a practice excursion off the track.

At the half way point Trackcraft held a 90 second advantage over IBEX with Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson) and 2007 race winners, Co-Ordit Racing (Dave Wardle/Ian Walker) a lap down.

During the final hour of the race we saw Co-Ordit displace Freaks of Nature Too, Advance Bike Shipping (Mike Bull/Jason Pittaway) were fifth and the top six were rounded off by TCP Racing (Paul Flemans/Tim Fergus). In the 600 Junior race the very steady ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley) nailed top spot and 11th overall from DNR Motorsport (Richard Payne/Dave Brooking) and Sorrymate.com - all covered by less than a minute. Husband and wife team - Gasi Racing (Grant + Helen Gaskins, a nurse) finished fourth a lap ahead of GBMoto Junior (Sam Godfrey/Phill Clarke), Lightside Endurance (Darren Nichols/Andy Buik) completed the top six. Trackcraft produced the fastest lap of the race at 1m 13.054s.

This was Mike Dickenson's only ride of the weekend - where BSB clashes with the HMRC championship the talented South African will fill in for regular rider Pete Jennings who will be chasing points at British Superbike meetings. It surprised me that Mike, and he isn't alone, has no real history of riding on the roads either back home or in the UK, Best Choice's Garry Jones is the same.

Results

1 Team Trackcraft 94 laps *
2 IBEX Scaffolding racing Team 93 laps
3 Co-Ordit Race Team 92 laps
4 Freaks of Nature Too 92 laps
5 Advance Bike Shipping 91 laps
6 TCP 89 laps
7 Spellframe Racing 89 laps
8 Name With Held 89 laps
9 Team Throttle Monkey 89 laps
10 Team MIB 88 laps
11 ETA Racing 88 laps *
12 DNR Motorsport 88 laps
13 Sorrymate.com 88 laps
14 SMF Racing 88 laps
15 Dos Albaniles 87 laps
16 Rawlings Racing 87 laps
17 Team Sober 87 laps
18 Gasi Racing 87 laps
19 GBMoto Junior 86 laps
20 GT Racing 85 laps
21 Lightside Endurance 85 laps
22 Damoose Racing 84 laps
23 Team Monkey 6 83 laps
24 Twinwoods Racing 82 laps
25 Freaks of Nature 82 laps
26 Team Tortoise 81 laps
27 Pirate Racing 80 laps
28 Round All Racing 77 laps
29 Rabbitt Racing 76 laps
30 Whitewall Racing 66 laps
31 RC Racing 34 laps
32 S and P Racing 30 laps
33 Radtec Racing 19 laps
DNS Team RHR

* Class Winners

Fastest Lap Junior 100 Team Trackcraft 1m 13.054s
Fastest Lap Junior 600 Sorrymate.com 1m 13.347s

National + Senior TAG Endurance Championship - 6 hours

Pole for the six hour encounter was snatched by last year's champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Pete Jennings/R1) from BSB refugees Co-Ordit Racing (Pete Bradshaw/Phil Bevan/Richard Cooper/R1) only minutes after GBMoto had stopped out on the circuit with electrical problems. Pre race testing included a spill for Macca as well as an engine change. Their pole time was set at 1m 10.474s, almost half a second quicker than Co-Ordit. Third fastest were Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul Scott/R1), winners of the first round at Anglesey. A big pat on the back for Ducks Cross Racing (Jon Railton/Grant Wagstaff/Martin Landmann/R6) who were quicker than the Moores Racing R6 (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar) - looks like a Yamaha lock out! The Moores R6 was rebuilt following Mike Eglington's crash at Anglesey a month ago; Mike also had the job of setting the bike up for Snetterton. Ducks Cross's Jon Railton will be having a busy year juggling HMRC, national Supersport racing and more importantly; his A levels.

It was good to see Co-Ordit at Snetterton with a strong rider line up - team principal Pete Bradshaw takes his racing very seriously and is no slouch, joining him was rapid Welshman and respected national rider Phil Bevan, often described as Pembrey circuit specialist running a race school and track day business at this South Wales venue. To top the trio off the team bought in Nottingham rising star Richard Cooper - best known for winning BMW Boxer Cup races around the world, riding BMW's development twin in long distance events and a couple of months ago had a terrific showing at Daytona Raceweek, he is still only 23 and works for sponsors Pidcock Motorcycles as a white van man - he has an excellent career ahead of him. Bradshaw is keen to support this series and hopes to return when BSB and other commitments allow. To hone his racecraft further Cooperman races a Kawasaki 600 at Darley Moor when his schedule allows. The team came equipped with their Dean Ellison Superbike, a Superstock machine from the national series and a hybrid bike. Dean Ellison was pencilled in to ride for the team but will focus on getting back to full health. A committed team owner Bradshaw has developed an academy approach to developing motorcycle racing champions through from Roadstocks at Mallory, clubman’s 600, Rob Mac's Henderson R1 Cup, national Superstock and BSB.

At the noon start, held in dry but cool conditions, it was GBMoto who shot off the line and built up an initial lead over Sweatshop, Ducks X, Moores and Co-Ordit. After only 30 minutes Throttle Monkey 72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty) called in with a rear puncture and Co-Ordit replaced a worn rear slick; at the hour mark emerging star Richard Cooper hammered around on the Co-Ordit to make up some time, whilst GBMoto pitted for adjustments and Sweatshop took over the lead on the road. Despite some brilliant riding by Jon Railton the Ducks X R6 was the first retirement with a broken engine. AMA Racing (Mark Westcott/Andrew Parker/Mark Affleck/R1) had the first of two crashes out on the circuit which required attention before carrying on, also in the wars were Best Choice (Garry Jones/Hazel Drury/Sean Moss/R6) who had a testing crash and endured the whole of the six hour race coping with fuel flow problems and the oil warning light going on and off!

After two hours had run GBMoto came in for a very long pit stop whilst Co-Ordit were two laps down in second place who managed to secure the lead just before their pit stop which handed the lead back to the Sweatshop boys, GBMoto rejoining the field in a distant seventh place, not having an easy season to date - after dramas and a non finish at Anglesey, Snetterton included spills, electrical problems, an engine transplant and a new clutch. Richard Cooper on the Co-Ordit R1 lost drive coming out of The Esses and shot straight into the pit lane for attention, this would dog them for the rest of the race.

By half way point Sweatshop had a 4 lap cushion over their team mates Moores Racing R6 ahead of GBMoto and Team Viking - the stars of the show at Anglesey (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson/John Leigh Pemberton/R6) who had taken a steady start and pushed gradually working their way up to fourth a lap down on class leaders Moores. Following his spill at Anglesey, regular Viking Barry Salmon is currently relying on sticks to get about - meanwhile he was replaced at Snetterton by 53 year old Kent farmer John Leigh-Pemberton who has a healthy Isle of Man career both at the TT and Manx Grand Prix. Co-Ordit re emerged from the garage to tour for a couple of laps prior to returning with lack of drive, after another 35 minutes of tinkering they rejoined the action 47 laps down on the leader.

Throttle Monkeys were in the wars with reliability problems as well as a couple of crashes, after their smooth and successful race at Anglesey, today was not such an easy task. At the five hour mark GBMoto and Sweatshop were on the same lap separated by a mere 42 seconds, the Moores R6 was a distant third ahead of Team Viking and Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Darren Jones/Kevin Upstone/R6) whilst Phoenix Endurance (Shelley Pike/Pete Gibson/Andy Jones/R6) pitted with a broken exhaust bracket. Throughout the six hours it was good to see the pace car only make a couple of appearances to enable the ever attentive marshals to recover debris from the track.

With under 30 minutes to run, GBMoto shot into the pits for their last planned stop with Pete Jennings taking over from MSH, they re-emerged onto the start/finish straight with a 5 second lead over Sweatshop Moores R1, ten minutes later John Paul Scott crashed the Sweatshop R1 at The Esses trying to close the gap and had to push the bike in which was taken over by Nick Roake for the final few minutes. At the drop of the chequer GBMoto took their first win of the season, ahead of Sweatshop who had lost four laps in the melee, Moores Racing, Darkside Endurance, Team Viking and the Throttle Monkeys - great racing from a great national series, the next round is at Pembrey on the 21/22 June - be there or miss out.

Spare a thought for Moores Racing Jim Agombar, as well as the 6 hour stuff he is peddling a TZ350 in the classic class, so far netting a win at Anglesey and Lydden as well as a second, also in Kent. The Moores Racing team dedicated their National Supersport win and their ProSuperbike runner up spot to Reg Morgan, a family friend of Mike and Kailah Eglington, who was a fan of Mike's racing and racing in general. The team's thoughts are with wife June and his daughter, Jan.

Results

GBMoto 282 laps *
Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 278 laps
Moores Racing 270 laps *
Darkside Endurance 269 laps
Team Viking 268 laps
Throttle Monkey 72 Racing 257 laps *
Phoenix Endurance 256 laps
Black Flag Racing 249 laps *
Co-Ordit Racing 235 laps *
Best Choice Endurance 228 laps
AMA Racing 170 laps
Ducks Cross Racing 63 laps

* Class winners

Fastest Lap GBMoto 1m 09.761s

And now, a pure + un adulterated 'plug'. Whilst the competitors + teams were enjoying the comfort and hospitality of the Snetterton paddock, Hottrax people including myself were staying nearby in The Corner House, Attleborough. For me this was a real ‘home from home’ and hosts Julie and Rob Holland made our stay most pleasant. Nothing was too much trouble - check them out on www.corner-house-norfol.co.uk or call 01953 454718

HMRC Round One @ Anglesey 19/20 April 2008

MotoGrande - Race 1 - 18 laps

Despite starting from pole, Ian Courts (Suz 600) had to wait until the closing stages of the race to nail the win. For most of the time it was eventual second place Ian Roebuck (Kaw 600) who diced with Honda Hornet mounted Martin Stanier rounding off the top three. Whilst the naked 600 was fastest around the twists and turns it lost out on the short straights. The Kawasaki ZX10R of Phil Muldowney was the first one litre machine home finishing in fourth.

Results
1 Ian Courts* Suz 600
2 Ian Roebuck Kaw 600
3 Martin Stanier Hon 600
4 Phil Muldowney* Kaw 1000
6 Darren Brealey Suz 600
7 Dirk Diggler Hon 600
8 Ed Pashley Tri 675
9 Steve Callahan Suz 750
10 Matt Iddon
11 Rob Knoyle
12 Gary Bransgrove Suz 1000
13 Ben Muldowney
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Ian Courts 1m 14.151s 75.252 mph


MotoGrande - Race 2 - 18 laps

The second encounter was a wet race and it was Martin Stainer (Honda Hornet 600) who shot off into the lead, as the race progressed GBMoto Junior racer Phill Clarke (ZX6R) overhauled the similar machine of Ian Roebuck to chase down Stainer getting his nose ahead at The Banking before easing off to finish second. In third place was the Kawasaki 600 of Clarke's team mate Samantha Godfrey who put in a solid performance, the top six were rounded off by Rob Knoyle, Ed Pashley (Triumph 675) and Aaron Hobart (Yam R6).

Results
1 Martin Stanier* Hon 600
2 Phill Clarke Kaw 600
3 Samantha Godfrey Kaw 600
4 Ed Pashley Tri 675
5 Aaron Hobart Yam 600
6 Rob Knoyle * Suz 1000
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Martin Stanier 1m 26.074s 64.828 mph

Junior TAG Endurance Championship

2007 champion Mark Linscott (Team Trackcraft) was the only rider to break into the 1m 13s during early morning practice to secure pole position.

At the drop of the Welsh flag it was Wild West Wacing (Ross Millar/Rob Devall) who took an early lead ahead of Trackcraft (Linscott/Mike Dickenson) and Gasi Racing (Grant + wife Helen Gaskins, a paramedic). A pattern emerged of Trackcraft and MC Racing (Mark Wadeson/Jason McKinnon) swapping the lead until just after the 30 minute mark when Linscott was bought in for passing under a yellow flag, a punishment administered to MC Racing only minutes later. A brief shower coated the track at the half way stage bringing out the pace car followed by a rash of pit stops. Team RHR (Paul Evans/Robin Hooker) seized the opportunity to establish a one lap lead over Throttle Monkey (Geoff Rhodes/Dion Robinson) and Trackcraft.

In the closing stages of the two hour race, there were five teams on the same lap with Trackcraft lapping 2 seconds a lap quicker than the rest. RHR made the most of pit stops, pace car appearances and traffic to take the win by over a minute from Trackcraft with Freaks of Nature Too (Mark Whiston/Dave Stewardson) and Team Throttle Monkeys. ETA Racing (Ian Courts/Darren Brearley) who were the fist Junior 600 team home in 8th place.

and there's more..............

Team SOBER (Gary Bransgrove/Steve Callahan) - team champions from 2007 - kept the brace of Suzukis out of mischief to finish in 18th place. It is also worth mentioning the amazing Rob Devall - alongside Ross Millar, young Rob finished in a packed field in a very creditable 7th place riding his Suzuki 1000 using only one arm, having lost effective use of the other, the highly spirited rider also crossed the finish line will a stonking wheelie! The unfortunate Scott Adam put his immaculate Aprilia RSV on its side, recovering the bike well to finish 21st in class with team mate Peter Carr.

It was great to see Phoenix Endurance stalwart out on his Manx Grand Prix R6 in the Junior race teamed with RAFman Simon Allen on a sweet sounding Aprilia. Both riders thoroughly enjoyed the race and finished in 16th place in class, ironically Pete was quicker on his older R6 than Shelley Pike's newer model (probably scared of binning the Phoenix Endurance machine).

Another National pilot having a ride around in the Junior race was South African Mike Dickenson paired with the very fast + experienced Mark Linscott landing second place after some dramas - Mike is also part of reigning National Champions outfit of GBMoto - technically he could win the National and Junior Endurance Championships in 2008. Mike's son Craig who had a couple of decent outings last season is having a sabbatical this year focussing on his academic studies prior to going off to Uni in the Autumn.

Spare a thought for Sam Godfrey, during the 2 hour Junior race Sam high sided on the start/finish line, before remounting she took the time to check the Kawasaki out for damage before continuing and finishing fifth in class with Phill Clarke - a class act! Sunday was also a busy day for this pairing, in the MotoGrande encounter, Phill pushed his ZX6R into second spot whilst challenging for the lead in the wet and Sam roared through the field to take the final podium place.

Results
1 Team RHR* 88 laps
2 Team Trackcraft 88 laps
3 Freaks of Nature Too 87 laps
4 Team Throttle Monkey 87 laps
5 Combined Stabilisation 87 laps
6 Co-Ordit Racing 86 laps
7 Wild West Wacing 85 laps
8 ETA Racing* 85 laps
9 Team MIB 84 laps
10 MC Racing 84 laps
11 SMF Racing 83 laps
12 Dos Albaniles 83 laps
13 DNR Motorsport 83 laps
14 RC Racing 83 laps
15 Rawlings Racing 83 laps
16 Black Cat Racing 83 laps
17 Team Monkey Six 83 laps
18 SOBER 82 laps
19 Name With Held 82 laps
20 GBMoto Junior 82 laps
21 Gasi Racing 81 laps
22 Roundall Racing 80 laps
23 Freaks of Nature 79 laps
24 Pirate Racing 79 laps
25 Sorrymate.com Racing 78 laps
26 Advance Bike Shipping 43 laps
27 Radtec Racing 30 laps
28 S and P Racing 9 laps
DQ Spellfame Racing 84 laps
* Class winner
Fastest Lap Team Trackcraft 1m 12.719s 76.734 mph

National + Senior TAG Endurance

Sweatshop Moores Racing 2 (Hugh Brasher/Nick Roake/John Paul-Scott/Yamaha R1) dug deep in Saturday qualifying to grab pole from 2007 Champions GBMoto (Mark Smith Halvorsen/Mick Godfrey/Mike Dickenson/Yamaha R1) who struggled with gear selection problems in the windy conditions. Last year's Supersport 600 champs Moores Racing (Tony Jimenez/Mike Eglington/Jim Agombar/R6) were third fastest ahead of series newcomers - Throttle Monkey 72 Racing (Andy McKnight/Eric Chitty/Kevin Doughty).

Overnight rain persisted and continued throughout most of the day, after an overnight engine transplant it was GBMoto who took a short lead from Sweatshop Moores who retook the front spot early before the first wave of pit stops at the hour mark. After 90 minutes of racing second place GBMoto pitted with electrical problems, temporarily fixed with a new battery and loosing 7 minutes. Following a tyre change for leaders on the road Sweatshop Moores it was the other Moores Racing 600 that took the lead in front of GBMoto, Throttle Monkey and Team Viking (Paul Clarke/Crispin d'Albertanson). Moores Racing was out after Mike Eglington dropped the R6 at the entry to Rocket, rendering the bike unrecoverable. Whilst the pace car was out GBMoto came to sort out the rectifier problem. After two hours Sweatshop Moores were 2 laps ahead of the well ridden Team Viking Honda 600 and track day warriors Throttle Monkey surprised themselves by producing the fastest lap of the day.

At the half way point last years champion Mark Smith Halvorsen fell at the Banking necessitating the pace car to put in another appearance, the rider was shaken but in one piece and the R1 was recovered by team mate Mick Godfrey who returned to the pits to 'make adjustments'. Sweatshop Moores held a 2 lap lead over the mercurial Team Viking, with Darkside Endurance (Andy Buik/Nigel Slater/Kevin Upstone/R6) and Throttle Monkey another two laps away. For a while Team Viking was in the lead before being reeled in by the larger machine of Sweatshop Moores.

Come three quarter distance the GBMoto went down at Rocket with Mick Godfrey, rider OK but the R1 was now unrideable so it was game over! With an hour to run Sweatshop Moores held a slender lead over Team Viking who were comfortable ahead of Throttle Monkey, Darkside, TCP Racing (Paul Flemans/Craig McMullen/Tim Fergus) and newcomers Team First Form (Paul Robey/Tim Westley/ZX10R). In the closing stages, with 20 minutes to run, the top five teams were all on consecutive laps and as if that wasn't close enough Sweatshop Moores won ahead of Team Viking, on the same lap with Throttle Monkey in a solid third, TCP getting excited completing the penultimate lap via the gravel track secured a well deserved fourth ahead of Darkside, Team First Form, Phoenix Endurance who had a quiet race to finish in seventh.

and there's more..............

The #1 Yamaha R1 is the well proven bike that took the championship for GBMoto, over winter it has been upgraded in the front brake and suspension department, for the race the team used an almost standard unit. The winning Sweatshop Moores Racing Yamaha R1 is a 2008 model which has not been fully developed yet, Tony Jimenez shook the bike down at Mallory - this session being drastically shortened due to bad weather - still more to come then folks?

Phoenix Endurance rider Shaun Finch retired after the 2007 season (gone off to play with Mitsubishi Evo) but he was back at Anglesey to act as crew and lend support. His place has been taken by Andy Jones who spent most of last season being a pain for Phoenix as part of the Kawasaki Newcastle - if you can't beat them - join them!

Team Viking had a brilliant weekend but not without dramas, in Saturday's qualifying Barry Salmon spilt the Honda 600 entering the start/finish straight - he bravely walked back to the pits before his right ankle doubled in size. Barry bravely watched Team Viking dice for the lead from the pitlane - all being well, he will be back at Snetterton in mid May. Latest news is that Barry is having his foot/leg pinned today!

After Macca stepped off his R1 at The Banking, he appeared shaken if not stirred. Sensibly GBMoto sent him off to Bangor hospital for a check up - he was driven away by Sarah Ozanne, who along with Katie Lowe fly over from the beautiful Channel Island of Guernsey to support GBMoto and the HMRC - they are fanatical about endurance racing.

Some may have been a little surprised by the speed and placing of Throttle Monkey 72 Racing - not me. I have followed the team's emergence via the Uprite Forum, the launch of the team's website and their presence in the paddock. They are well organised, resourced and have taken to this type of racing extremely well.

Did anyone spot the paintjob on the Moores Racing R6? a tribute to Barry Sheene.........nice one Tony.

Results
1 Sweatshop Moores Racing 2* 244 laps
2 Team Viking* 244 laps
3 Throttle Monkey 72 Racing* 243 laps
4 TCP Racing 241 laps
5 Darkside Endurance 241 laps
6 Team First Form Racing 235 laps
7 Phoenix Endurance 235 laps
8 Black Flag Racing* 234 laps
9 Best Choice 227 laps
10 AMA Racing 217 laps
11 GBMoto 161 laps
12 Moores Racing 77 laps
*Class winner
Fastest Lap Sweatshop Moores Racing 1m 17.384s 72.108 mph