With the year rapidly drawing to a close; it is time to look back at an action packed season for the the team.
From Pembrey to Cadwell park the team turned up under considerably more sunshine than they were used to, to compete in an ever growing number of classes in the CRMC this year.
Between seizing victory and seizing engines, the team did it all with close racing and even closer team work.
Breaking this year down we want to share some favourite images and a few words. Most importantly however we would like to pass on our thanks to our sponsors for 2018 and share them with you.
A moment for our sponsors
EBC Brakes
A long standing sponsor of the team: EBC® Brakes are world leaders in friction materials that make you stop and go. This is proven by eye poppingly good brake pads and clutch plates that can even hold the raw power of an Andy Green tuned RD250.
Forcefield Body Armour
If they were hoping for real world testing then Forcefiled body armour may be our only sponsor to be a little disappointed by this years as we even surprised ourselves by managing to keep the bikes tyre side down. From simple back protectors to full upper body armour suits, the team has made use of it all and are proud to wear these quality, British made products.
NGK Spark Plugs sponsor more than half of the motogp field, numerous WSB and BSB teams so naturally we are over the moon that they chose to continue to sponsor our classic racing team. Having some of the best spark plugs on the market in your motorcycle not only gives you the confidence to push hard but makes servicing and maintaining easier too. We know NGK have our backs.
R-Tech Welding Equipment Ltd
Having a provider of high quality welding equipment from another superb British company on board has been really helpful. From custom builds, to emergency repairs; R-tech weldings superb customer service is only a phone call away.
The RAF central fund, who you might previously remember as the RAF Sports Lottery, is at the core of our team of sponsors. The fact that our employer has a fund entirely for our moral, well being and cohesion really shows their positive attitude to sports and is something we are all very thankful for.
The central fund itself is, in part, financed by the sports lottery which all serving and previously serving personnel can play. This gives you the opportunity to support great sports such as our classic motorcycle racing and have the chance to win up to £10,000 every week. If you haven't already, you can sign up on this link which replaces the old JPA way to play.
Ragged Edge Racing
Spike was a new supporter of the team in 2018 and we were quick to put him to work with some exquisite pre-coloured fibreglass for Heggs' Honda VFR750 and Greens new fairing for the formula 2 TZ350.
Ragged Edge Racing
Spike was a new supporter of the team in 2018 and we were quick to put him to work with some exquisite pre-coloured fibreglass for Heggs' Honda VFR750 and Greens new fairing for the formula 2 TZ350.
STAHLWILLE
For 2018 Stahlwille joined the team which we were all very pleased to hear. As many of us are aircraft technicians, we have already been using these world class tools in our work, we already knew what high standard of tooling we would be able to now make use of.
Another new sponsor for 2018. Talon engineering manufacture parts and import many others. Chains, sprockets and even wheel rims have been supplied to better our chances at victory this year.
Tony Salt
Tony Salt may have sold TST but he is still the UK's only supplier of Heidenau motorcycle road racing tyres. His continued support for the team has in no small way helped us make our achievement this season.
The Witham Group
From oil for your vintage tractor to paint for an oil tanker, Witham group supply the lot.
We make extensive use of their products including Motuls superb Factory line 800 2T road racing oil. We would genuinely use nothing else.
So there we have it. It would not be possible to do what we do without the support of our sponsors. We should also extend special thanks to CRMC for providing and organising the club in which we race, team support from Roy Dale, Craig, Hornsby & John Walton and of course all of our friends, partners and relatives who have individually supported us.
We shall now sign of for 2018 with a few of our favourite images and memories from the season. We all look forward to competing in 2019 and hopefully seeing you there.
Post Classic 125cc Grand Prix Piston Port 9d
2018 was not the year for the RAFMSA classic racing team's Honda MT125's with Green out for injury and Woodward's machine suffering with a very broken engine. A win for Woodward on a loaned machine however gives hope for some top racing this coming 2019 however.
Post Classic 350 GP 9b
Paul Kirkby might not have had the best of starts at a soggy Snetterton but once the bike was back together he was soon back in the groove. We look forward to seeing what he can do with a full season next year.Post Classic 500cc Air Cooled 8d
Some bad luck with wheel retention (amongst many other excuses) didn't allow Woodward to take the victory in the Post classic 500cc air cooled class but a very respectable 3rd should still be celebrated. Well done Woody.
Junior production 600 8e
Rudd and Bartlett made their debut in the junior production class at Pembrey in the two images above.
Woodward also gave the class a go on another one of the RAFMSA classic racing team machines very kindly loaned by Spen Spencer.
Althogh the paint might be all wrong, the team were happy to welcome David Williams to the team gazebo on his junior production FZ600. Putting in some good results in this very competitive class and the post classic 750, he looks forward to doing even better for next year.
Post Classic Superstock 8k
Gavin Heggs and his Honda VFR750 RC24 have been working their way into the superstock class this season.
Although new to the class and relatively new to racing, we have seen some close racing and are all looking forward to what they can do for 2019.
Post classic 750 8c
Andy Green's TZ350 has been built to F2 specification so competes with the bigger 750's. As with the 125, Andy wasn't out on this bike much due to injuries but some development has been achieved so there is hope for 2019.Post classic 250 8h
The post classic 250 air cooled class is really where the RAFMSA's classic racing team are most well known. Fielding a squadron of Yamaha RD250's and a sprinkling of Suzuki X7's we are an ever present blur of light blue almost designed to confuse commentators.It also saw all of the X7's on the grid suffer with engine trouble including the two RAF riders who were seriously set back by engine damage.
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| Dickinson gets loose at Snetterton |
Oulton park and Donnington were highlights for most and Cadwell park was a fitting finale.
By the end of the season Woodward had achieved 2nd place whilst relative newcomer Heggs had managed to get himself up to 4th and Andy Green 5th in the championship. Well done to them all.
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| Green spots the photographer |
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| Heggs gets the chance to lead an injured Green |
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| Woodward gains a pillion |
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| Getting tucked in |
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| Rudd on the move at Donnington |
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| Heggs eyes up his 2019 season ranking |
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| Heggs saving front tyre ware |
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| Close racing at Donington making use of all of the track |
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| Woodward tries to keep with Warwick |
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| Woodward leading at Cadwell park |
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| Dickinson keeping warm |
We hope you have all enjoyed this little review. From the whole team we wish you a happy and successful new year.
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