RAF Classic Racing Team Race Report

CRMC Round 3 – Snetterton 200

The RAF Classic Racing Team made the trip to Snetterton 200 for Round 3 of the CRMC Championship, visiting what is widely regarded as everyone's favourite MSV circuit in Norfolk. Fast, flowing and technically demanding, Snetterton once again provided close racing, mechanical drama and enough paddock repairs to keep everyone occupied throughout the weekend.

Despite several riders facing significant mechanical challenges, the team returned home with an impressive collection of race wins, podium finishes and championship points.

Dorian Eardley

After a promising start to practice, Dorian's Triumph Rocket 3 became the first casualty of the weekend. Following only a handful of laps, the big triple dropped a cylinder. Although the pace shown beforehand was still enough to secure first in class on the Formula 750 grid, the fault proved impossible to rectify in the paddock and the bike sadly took no further part in the meeting.

Fortunately, the Summerfield Manx Norton was more cooperative and provided Dorian with plenty to smile about. Consistently running at the front of the Lansdowne field, he secured podium finishes throughout the weekend. A puncture resulted in the machine making an unscheduled return journey in the back of a van, while an exhaust leak reduced performance in the final race. Nevertheless, Dorian still managed to stand on the podium, demonstrating the resilience and determination that have become hallmarks of his racing.

Dorian having a lonely race - PJM Photography

Gavin Heggs

For Gavin, Snetterton proved to be another lesson in perseverance.

Running issues continued to plague the Yamaha TZ350G from the moment the awning went up. An attempt to clear a suspected carburettor blockage before the opening Forgotten Era race uncovered a failed water pump gasket. Thankfully the coolant leak remained largely contained within the fairing and a ready supply of Witham high-pressure gear oil in the van prevented the situation becoming any more dramatic.

Unfortunately, repairs could not be completed before the first race, resulting in a DNS.

The problems continued into Race Two, with intermittent poor running leading to a decision to completely flush the fuel tank after paint flakes were discovered and suspected of blocking the carburettors. The gamble paid off immediately. Race Three saw the TZ running beautifully, allowing Gavin to record a personal best lap time around the Norfolk circuit. Admittedly, there remains some distance between a personal best and the front runners, but progress is progress.

Race Four appeared to be heading in a similar direction before the engine began losing power once again. The reduced pace briefly allowed fellow RAF supporter John Hannaford through, only for the Yamaha to find one final burst of speed down the Revett Straight and reclaim the position. Moments later, the engine seized spectacularly as it crossed the finish line, bringing an eventful weekend to an abrupt conclusion.

Gavin not on the grass this time - PJM Photography

Joe Woodward

Joe's weekend was perhaps the best example of motorsport's ability to deliver highs and lows in equal measure.

The Molnar Manx delivered another strong set of results in the Classic 500 class, producing two victories and two second places. The Kawasaki ZXR750 was equally competitive in the Period 3 Superbike races, although a gradual drop in performance throughout the weekend left Joe struggling to stay with championship rival Ant Hart. Thankfully, post-race investigations revealed nothing more sinister than a loose HT lead, meaning the Kawasaki should return to full strength for Brands Hatch.

The biggest drama came aboard the KTM Supermono. Running strongly during the fourth race, the engine seized midway around Brundle Corner, sending both rider and machine sliding through Snetterton's particularly dry and dusty Norfolk grass. While neither emerged looking their best, both rider and machine escaped without serious injury.

Damage to the Molnar Manx provided another challenge for the team, but Joe's overall results ensured the weekend remained a successful one despite the setbacks. As always, there was plenty of determination, plenty of speed and just enough complaining to keep paddock morale high.

Joe leads the way - PJM Photography

Adrian Shaw

Making further progress aboard the Honda CBR600, Adrian Shaw enjoyed a solid and productive weekend in the Supersport 600 class.

Although comfortably able to clear the slower riders, Adrian often found himself in a lonely section of track, unable to quite bridge the gap to the leading group. Even so, his pace remained encouraging throughout the meeting.

One issue identified early in the weekend was fading brakes, which was quickly cured with the installation of a fresh set of EBC HH sintered pads. The improvement gave Adrian the confidence to continue pushing and resulted in several very respectable lap times.

Watching from the first corner while nursing a poorly TZ, Gavin observed both Adrian and Joe entering Riches at virtually identical speeds. Therefore, according to the highly scientific RAF Classic Racing Team performance analysis department, Adrian simply needs to work out the remaining eleven corners and he should be challenging Joe for race wins.

Ady racing himself - PJM Photography

Francis "Franky" McKinna-Whitby

For Francis, Snetterton was a weekend largely defined by perseverance and patience.

Plagued by running issues throughout the meeting, Franky spent as much time diagnosing problems as he did racing. A lack of performance, recurring mechanical gremlins and more than one trip aboard the recovery wagon ensured it was not the straightforward weekend he had hoped for. The low point came when the engine seized, prematurely ending another promising outing.

Despite the setbacks, there were positives to take away. Francis did manage to finish a race, gaining valuable track time and experience, while the bike itself continues to show signs of gradual improvement. Each meeting seems to bring another piece of the puzzle together, and although Snetterton may be a weekend he would rather forget, there remains plenty of optimism within the paddock that Franky's two-stroke racing career is heading firmly in the right direction.

As is often the case with classic racing, success is measured not only in trophies but also in simply getting temperamental machinery to the chequered flag. By that measure, the foundations are certainly being laid for better weekends to come.

Franky lines up Graham - PJM Photography

Symon Woodward

Veteran team member Symon Woodward enjoyed arguably the most successful weekend of any RAF rider.
While spending much of the meeting fulfilling his secondary role as Joe Woodward's mechanic, Symon still managed to dominate the Post Classic 250 Air Cooled class aboard his Yamaha RD250. After finishing second in the opening race, he followed up with three consecutive victories to end the weekend on a high.
Unlike some of the more temperamental machinery occupying the RAF awning, the RD250 was comparatively well behaved throughout the meeting. Combined with issues experienced by regular rival Jerry aboard his X7, Symon found himself leading the class for much of the weekend. That did not mean he had an easy ride, however, as he frequently found himself battling with the more technically advanced Honda RS125 machines, providing plenty of entertaining racing despite the significant performance differences between the bikes.
The results were a reward for both reliability and consistency, with Symon once again demonstrating the smooth, measured riding style that has made him one of the team's most experienced and dependable racers. By the end of the weekend, he had firmly established himself as one of the standout performers in the RAF Classic Racing Team paddock.
Sy showing them the way - PJM Photography

Looking Ahead

Snetterton delivered everything the RAF Classic Racing Team has come to expect from CRMC racing: race wins, podiums, punctures, seizures, electrical gremlins, fuel contamination, mechanical heartbreak and more than a few last-minute repairs.

With several machines requiring attention before the next meeting, the team now turns its focus towards Brands Hatch. If Snetterton proved anything, it is that the pace is there. The challenge now is ensuring the machinery survives long enough to show it.

The Royal Air Force Motor Sport Association supports tens of disciplines, both two and four-wheeled. More information on the RAFMSA can be found on Facebook, the Sports Federation home page, Twitter and can be found with a quick search on MODNet.

The RAF Classic racing team races in the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) offer live timing and has race results going back years. You can find more of the team on Facebook, Blogger and YouTube.

There is a strong contingent of the RAFMSA MCRR in No Limits Racing, they can be found on Instagram with some fantastic videos shared by competitor James on his YouTube channel, and many others can be found on there too. There is also an interservice race held at all NLR.

All serving RAF Classic Racing Team members race under the banner of the Royal Air Force Motorsports Association (RAFMSA) alongside our veteran former members and associate members. If you are serving and wish to get involved with motorsports you can find all the contact details you will need on the RAFMSA website or get in contact directly with us.

This blog post was written and edited by Gavin Heggs.

A few more images from PJM P{hotography: