Intro
It seemed like a
long break since Donnington Park. In that time summer had seemed to have
expired as cooler weather and damp skies crept back in. September was here and
it wasn’t messing about bringing autumn with it.
It was time for
Mallory Park where basically, you spend a third of each lap tackling Gerard’s
long right hand bend which then sends
you into a quick right left bend (No Edwina’s chicane for the CRMC), before hitting
a hairpin, a bus stop and starting all over again. It’s a quick circuit to
learn but there is enough to it to keep you picking fractions of a second away
with little improvements here and there.
This meeting saw
Andrew Green, David Williams, Gavin Heggs and Symon Woodward pitching their
gazebo in the dry but with threatening skies, the riders started to ponder just
how committed they would be whipping round this track.
Post Classic 500 air cooled
#157
Woodward
The 3rd
Race was early Sunday morning and straight after the 600 Jnr Production race
which I was also in. this meant I jumped straight off the FZ600 and onto the
RD400, started it and went out. Despite my best effort to get some heat in the
engine during grid formation and the sighting lap, I failed. After a good start
(typical) I got as far as the entry into Gerard’s where the engine cold seized,
ripping the crown off one of the pistons.
With
the 400 dead, I took the 250 out for the last race as my lap times between the
bikes were not that far apart and I needed the points. Due to not getting a lap
in, in the previous race, I started at the back of the grid but managed to rev
the 250 through the field to take 3rd, which I was more than pleased
with.
600 Junior
Production
#61
Williams
I
don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed so much close 2-wheeled competition in one
weekend. The Mallory Park round had a bit of everything including variable
weather conditions and, for me, the added incentive of a second RAF Classic
Racing Team FZ600 in the ‘proddy’ class, kindly donated by Spencer Racing and
expertly prepared by Andy Green. Unfortunately, Andy was only able to qualify
before pulling up injured, so Symon Woodward gallantly stepped in to race the
bike. This is when the ‘healthy competitive banter’ started. More of this in a
moment.
I’d spent some time since the Donington Park round tidying
up my FZ, rebuilding the brake callipers, shaving a few grams off here and
there, reducing the steering lock so I could flatten the bars for more rider
space and leverage and fitting a replacement end can for the original that
split a seam in the last race at Donington. I also replaced several of the
exhaust studs and secured the headers using aero-nuts, a revelation to me that
finally prevented the pipes from trying to leave the bike on lap 3 of every
race. I hadn’t raced at Mallory Park for 17 years and to be honest I wasn’t
sure I was going to enjoy the experience. I needn’t have worried.
A wet Post Classic 750 qualification went well, qualifying
in 7th place and racing to between 11th and 14th whilst re-learning the track
and quickly settling into the 59 second lap time bracket. Not bad for a
30-year-old 600. In a packed proddy class each rider was scheduled to race 4 of
5 races, with every grid based on day 1 qualification and I was content to
qualify mid-pack. Andy Green put the second FZ four rows behind making me a
target for Sy Woodward’s legendary ‘back of the grid to first, before turn one’
starts. The first 2 races were brilliant, with hectic action on every bend and
a 10th and 14th, Sy behind me on both occasions on what was proving a slightly
underpowered contender. Talk of ‘you’re only as good as your last race’ and
rain, however, upped the ante for our last outing, with Sy obviously hoping a
wet track would be to his advantage. The flag dropped and I tried to start in
neutral and everyone including Sy shot past me as I frantically latched on to
the back of the pack. Working my way through the backmarkers I could see Sy
dicing in a group ahead. As I got close I backed off approaching the hairpin to
try to slingshot up to him onto the start/finish straight - just in time to see
him taken out by another rider. A few laps later I crossed the line in 9th, my
best result of the season so far. I can’t wait to get out again at Cadwell
Park. I’ll be praying for rain now I know how well the Fizzer goes in the wet!!
#157
Woodward
After
Andy had spent so much time preparing the FZ for the track it was a shame he
was unable to ride it, but at least it gave me the chance which I am grateful
for. It is completely different to the 2 strokes which I was racing but luckily
quite similar to my ZXR400 which I occasionally wheel out for a spin. I only
had two intentions, to return it back to Andy in one piece and to pass Dave,
both of which as it turned out, I failed to do.
Piling into one of the fastest circuit corners in the UK, with a full
field of 600s after literally only riding the bike for the sighting lap was an
interesting moment to say the least, but we all survived. Throughout the race I could always see Dave’s
leathers and I reeled him in. The Production class is tightly controlled and
although some bikes are slower than others they are all similar in performance,
except for this tired example which was noticeably down on power, generally
loosing me between 2 and 6 places a straight. This did however make for a fun
race, by the final lap I was on Dave’s tail and tried to ride round the outside
of him at the hairpin but another bike got in the way and Dave safely made it
to the “Bus Stop” ahead of me. Although
Dave had beat me, on my first time on the bike I had caught him up and lapped
quicker, the “Banter” was on.
The
second race saw Dave disappear in front of me as I ended up in a 7 bike battle
behind. I missed the 3rd race as it was my race to drop and Dave
missed the 4th race so it was all on for the last race. The track
was wet but drying, I tried to ride around the outside of as many bikes as
possible on the first lap of Gerrard’s which worked out quite well. Although I
didn’t notice passing Dave I could see all of the 5 bikes in front so knew Dave
was behind me although I was in too much traffic to bother about looking for
him. On the penultimate lap, whilst 3 abreast going into a hairpin I saw
another rider shooting into the corner on my inside at completely the wrong
speed, I could see he was not stopping so I waited for him to pass before I
would turn-in into the corner. Unfortunately as he passed my front wheel he
locked-up his, and his bike went down skittling my front wheel away in the
process. I am sure I could see a grin inside Dave’s helmet as he passed me
lying in the track.
Post Classic 750
SUPERSTOCK
#74
Heggs
I
wasn’t especially looking forward to riding the 750 at Mallory. Much how I love
Gerard’s, which would be perfect for the big Viffer, the hairpin and bus stop
were not going to be any easier on the bigger machine.
The
VFR was out first for practice. I set off into my favourite corner with the
bike feeling planted and confident as I drew in the few bikes that had set off
before me. Seconds later I had reached Shaws (the hairpin) and the bus stop
which seemed far smaller than I remembered. I muddled my way through fairly
slowly but not losing out a great deal to other riders so I felt a little
better.
The
bike was also feeling a fair bit better. Engine temperatures were staying at
sensible levels with the cooling weather and another alteration to the exhaust
link pipe had sorted all of my ground clearance issues out. The only hiccup for
the weekend was the bike struggling at low RPM as I came in from race two which
turned into a full carb rebuild which any VFR owner will tell you isn’t much
fun.
That
aside, a continuing worry (mainly from other team mates) was just how useless
my Diablo Corsa tyres would be in the wet. Thankfully they did me proud in the,
at worst, damp conditions we met this weekend.
Onto
racing: I gradually made improvements here and there holding good pace through
Gerard’s and the Lake Esses. I had some nice little scraps with a friendly chap
called Mike Gilson on his bright red VFR and a few other Honda riding brethren.
Thankfully I was generally able to pull my way to the front of my pack and hold
some space to win my little battles. In doing so, I dragged a few points out of
each race and more valuable time on the track.
Looking
at the results in hindsight; things are improving which is important with the
impending entry of another RAF rider on a VFR750 next year. I need to up my
game if I want to stay in front of him!
Post Classic 250
air cooled
Race 1
#14
Green
This was going to be interesting: Due to an
injury, I pulled out of practice after the mandatory 2 laps. This resulted in
me starting on the last row of the grid which wasn’t ideal but I just had to
get on with it. I was, at a guess, half way through the grid by the time I
reached Gerard’s corner, with me making up more places through the long corner.
Over the next few laps I caught Heggs up and sat behind him. Heggs has an
interesting line through the hairpin which would allow an articulated lorry
through on the inside. This gave me the plan to nip on his inside on the last lap.
It turn out I didn’t need to as I was less than a bike length behind him around
Gerard’s when his bike threw its chain, luckily for me I take a tighter line so
the chain and Heggs were not on my line. This gifted me third place.
#74
Heggs
The RD was my second practice
machine so I qualified well for race one but not quite as well as I would have
hoped. This was soon gone from my mind though as I made a great start, clearing
7 places off the line and latching onto the front pack into Gerard’s. I had the pace through Gerard’s and Lake Esses
but lost time through the Hairpin and Bus Stop on every lap letting Graeme
Acott, the next rider in front of me, pull away.
I knuckled down with Andy Green in
tow but some bumps on the entry into Gerard’s were severe enough to pop my
drive chain off the rear sprocket and in doing so knock me out of the race. I
pulled in at the far side of the circuit to the lament of the marshals who were
all looking forward to a 1/3/4 for the RAF team in this race. Sadly it was not
to be and my best chance for a 3rd place trophy had been missed.
#157
Woodward.
Race
2
#14
Green
Gridding up on the second row was a better start
than the previous day. However, with the injury, I was struggling to
concentrate. I made a good start and thought I would be first into Gerard’s as
I took the tighter line. This wasn’t the case as Symon and Graeme came across
the front of me and all three of us tucked in behind each other around Gerard’s.
Nothing much changed until I got up to the hairpin, where I realised I was
unable to really hold onto the bars. By the time I reached the bus stop I had
decided that I needed to retire from the race. So I managed to pull in on the
following lap. It was not looking good for the rest of the day.
#74
Heggs
I may not have got the result on
race 1 but my efforts were not in vein as I was 6th on the grid for
race 2. This would be a damp one on the Sunday morning with a wet inside line
round Gerard’s and puddles dotting the course. I made an average start, soon
following Green round Gerard’s, watching spray fly off his rear wheel and
another four stroke nearby squirm on the damp surface. Out of the corner I
wound the RD on and passed Green for a clear run into the Lake Esses. I was surprised
when a Goldstar, and not Green passed me up the inside into the hairpin. I had
fully expected to get into a battle with Green, but as it turned out he had
retired. I passed the Goldstar up the start finish straight and settled into
Gerard’s again, starting the whole process off again. I kept a safe pace for
the rest of the race as I didn’t want to lose the next two races due to an over
exuberant wet race spill. Nobody passed me so I kept my third place and more
importantly finished with the bike upright.
#157
Woodward.
I lead from the start in this damp
race but was continually pressurised by Graeme whose Suzuki was never more than
a couple of seconds behind. It was a
case of staying on and staying in
front.
Race 3
#14
Green
Having retired from the previous race I decided
to take some extra pain killers and hope for the best. I was starting again
from the back of the grid due to the last race’s retirement. Off the line I
again soon got knuckled down and got onto the back of a group of riders. I
thought I’d try and pass the small group on the brakes into the hairpin. I did
manage to pass 3 machines on the brakes, with the EBC pads making this job
easy. However the extra pressure put on my shoulder put me off and I over shot
by a bike length, now trying to brake with only one hand firmly on the bar.
I composed myself and managed to pass them all
during the following lap. This then allowed me to gap the following group with
a comfortable distance between us. I was going well until the last lap when
coming into the Esses I had to back off as the pain was unbearable and I just
wanted to finish. I made it around the Hairpin through the Bus Stop and was
coasting down Devil’s Elbow to the finish line, when the trailing group of 4
came through and over the line in front of me.
I never entered the last race as I was unable to
ride the bike safely and competitively.
#74
Heggs
My conservative riding had ensured I
was on the grid for race 3 but I was also starting a long way down it. A great
start dragged me from 15th to 5th by the end of the first
lap but a stronger Green made it past me after a few probing attempts at the Hairpin.
Will Loder dropped himself in to the mix where we regularly swapped places due
to our differing strengths. Loder would pass me each lap going into the Hairpin
then I would close him through Gerard’s, passing into Lake Esses. This allowed
Green to pull away for a few laps before we started to pull him back in.
Dropping into the Devil’s Elbow on the last lap I could tell I wouldn’t make it
passed Loder for the chequered flag but we were really close to Green now. I
dragged Loder as close as I’d dare before swinging out to his left, making it
halfway up the side of him by the line but most importantly half a wheel in
front of Green.
#157
Woodward.
A flag to flag win, another 25
points J
Race 4
#14
Green
I didn’t go out, but the bike did… John Warwick
had retired earlier in the day with a damaged crank. Knowing I was not going
out in the last race he asked if he could borrow my bike as he only needed a
mid-pack finish to take the Championship. The camaraderie around the paddock is
that the majority of people will help anyone out. Knowing John I of course said
he could. The race got underway with John at the back of the grid. It was an
odd thing watching your bike being ridden by someone else. John quickly made
his way to the front and was leading by the end of the third lap. By the end of
the race he had taken over half a second off the lap record! John has the
advantage of racing 4 bikes every meeting and is one of the quickest guys in
the Club.
#74
Heggs
Race 4 started well again but I was
soon mobbed by Loder and Warwick who was now on Green’s motorcycle. Loder had
found some more pace this time as he barged me out of the way going into the Hairpin
after I repeatedly showed him a wheel on my weakest corner. Richard Cheetham
joined me for the rest of the race who I managed to only just finish in front
of by the end, as the RD lost power running up to the start finish straight.
Sadly I had to settle with 4th place as Warwick flew away on Green’s
machine taking the win and dropping us all back.
#157
Woodward.
Although my lap times had been a
second off “Fast John’s” lap record I felt I had the extra second in me, if
needed. I knew I needed it this race if I was going to stand any chance of
staying in front of John. Technically, he only had to finish mid-field to
clinch the Championship before the final 2 races at Cadwell next month, but I
knew that would not have been John’s thought, he always wants to win every
race. I started as fast I could and raced off but it didn’t stop me seeing John
appear mid-race. I lapped with 0.1 second of his lap record, but unfortunately,
he set a new one on Andy’s bike.
In Closing
#14
Green
A very disappointing Mallory Park, with me being
nowhere near a competitive pace and out of the last round at Cadwell Park due
to injury. Hopefully I will be all sorted for 2019.
#74
Heggs
I was quite apprehensive about
Mallory. The circuit has some of the best and worst corners for my limited
skill set but I managed to muddle my way through and pull in some good results.
Any hopes of catching Graham Acott in the Championship are pretty much over,
but at least I have made my position fairly safe. Onwards to a day at Cadwell
Park to see what I can do there to wrap this thing up.
#157
Woodward.
A mixed but enjoyable weekend, the
FZ racing was fun and hectic, the 500 races were good but were marred by the
engine failure and the 250 ran really well. Disappointing to be out of the 250 Championship
race, but it has been won by the best rider in the class this year.
Finally special thanks go to the
companies who continue to support us: EBC
brakes UK, Talon Engineering, Stahlwille UK, Forcefield
body armour, MCA
Leicester, NGK spark plugs UK, Royal Air Force Motorsports
Association, Royal
Air Force Central Fund, Spencer Racing, Tony
Salt Tyres, Witham group Motul, Speedbikepics, Sports
pics, R-Tech Welding and
individual sponsor for Symon Woodward: Mick
Abbey tuning.
Photography credits go to Derek Carruthers and Craig Hornsby.
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