The team headed towards Louth on Saturday afternoon hoping for warm weather and exciting racing. The weekend didn’t disappoint on both counts!
After settling in Saturday night, Sunday arrived sunny and warm for a change with qualifying fast and furious. First time for Gerry at this very difficult (but very exciting and technical track) with both riders scrubbing new rear tyres, saw him struggling with lines and gears, qualifying down the grid but optimistic things would improve in the races. Circuit specialist Richy also found it tricky with optimum gear selection for the bumpy and twisting track. Against those odds however, he had another good qualification in 7th place from an oversubscribed grid of 38 riders.
Race one came and went in a blur, with Gerry improving on his qualifying time and having a good dice with other “rookies”. Finishing 31st was not as good as expected but had a lot of fun! Richy finishing 6th behind some top national riders and relishing the marvellous circuit that is Cadwell Park.
After chain adjustments, tyre checks and fuel top ups the riders were soon back on the grid for their second outing of the day. This saw another 6th place for Richy with Gerry still improving lap times but unfortunately not race position! Both riders by now though had settled on gearing and lines so Mondays racing was something to look forward to!
Richy over the top of the “mountain”
Race 3 for the team on Monday saw another fast and furious race in sunny and warm conditions again. Richy really pushing it this time (think it was for the telly really) saw him up into 4th place having a great dice and the prospect of a podium? At the sharp end of a race where bike performance and handling are all very similar, with riders on the very limit, crashes can be expected occasionally and unfortunately Richy went down at the second last corner of the last lap with the front wheel “washing out” under heavy braking while well cranked over. No harm done except some hurt pride and bent handlebars! Gerry finishing in 28th place with lap times now regularly under 2 mins was improving all the time.
Final race of the day was one that both riders wanted to safely finish and get some sound points. Turned out to be the hottest race of them all (in both senses) with great dices from both riders from lights to flag. Gerry was enjoying a great race with fellow “Senior” rider Richard Sanders for 25th place with Gerry just losing out on the final lap. Another race of attrition with riders falling due probably to overheating tyres but with a controlled and “aggressive” race from Richy, seeing another very commendable 6th place! Safely home with good points – target achieved!
The finish of another hard race!
The team rolled home late Monday night very satisfied overall with the weekend’s work, Gerry now lying 8th in the Seniors Championship with Richy 9th in the overall Thundersport 500 Championship.
Watch Mondays racing soon on Motors TV with Sky and on the ThundersportGB “i player” soon after. If you have not seen road racing before, Cadwell Park is the one to watch!
Unfortunately the team cannot make the next round at Oulton Park but hope to be at Rockingham Raceway in Northamptonshire at the end of July. Bring it on!
Gerry and Richy and the rest of RBRacing/Labman team
(Thanks again to Jan, Sarah, Ally and Jo for their work and support over the weekend)