Chris Beverley only started his racing career last year, but in that first year managed to scoop the 400 Newcomers and 400 Streetstock titles, as well as grabbing an impressive 3rd in the F400 class. Both Newcomer and Streetstock classes were taken in impressive style with 14 wins from 16 starts in the Street class, and his Newcomer series yielding a max points haul with 7 wins from the 7 races. He also set new class lap records every circuit.
35-year-old Chris works as a Computer Analyst and lives in London, and when the racing season is over likes nothing more than to head off to the nearest snow capped mountains for his other passion, snowboarding.
Chris with help this year (as last) from Graham France and the Li Asia Trading import company have set their sights on the F400 title, and at present they sit atop the table with the CBR 400 Honda. There is another goal though, they have also purchased a CBR 600 RR in preparation for ’09 and Chris is already a regular top 6 finisher on the bigger bike and lying 7th in the George White 600 title table.
Chris thoroughly enjoys his racing and can always be seen in the paddock with a broad grin on his face….which at the end of the day is what racing at this level is all about... but it helps if like Chris, you are fast and winning week in week out.
Class by Class
A strong grid of 125GP machines this year sees Corey Lewis at the age of 13 taking to the Dave Bushby RS125 well, he will once more have Luke Harvey and defending ’07 champ Freddie Nickless for company along with the fast improving Sam Burman. The Junior Formula 125’s see Rowan Miller in on top on his 80 Metrakit. Whilst the 400 open has Tony Davies, on his TZ250 Yamaha heading the list from Mark Linton.

When it come to the 600 class there are no easy race wins with a possible 6 or 8 winners each weekend. Grahame Frear, Daniel Frear, Joshua Day and Rich Bearcroft are the men-most-likely, with the Frear brothers looking good on CBR-RR and R6 respectively. Keep an eye out for Andy Lawrence and class new boy Lee Tyack though along with David Thomson for an upset.
The bigger Superbike Open and Powerbike classes too have a whole host of talent on the grid, Joe Symonds with Yamaha’s R1, and Michael Blank on a GSXR Suzuki are the pick of the grid. However Charlie Bishop, Darren Neal, Mark Compton, Lee Keeble and Shaun Hennessey are all proven winners. Former top Newcomer Dylan Morris is on the comeback trail and has to be worth an outside bet to spring a surprise on his new Suzuki.

Chris Beverley (CBR400), Les Vallender (RVF400), Josh Leaning and Tony Meredith (ZXR400) and Tim Bradley (FZR400) show that no one bike is able to dominate the Formula 400 class as all could grab the big points this weekend, although Beverley is starting to build a series lead…. The others need to respond soon.

Greg Gibson and brother Duncan, on JHP prepared Ducatis take on former champ Andy Peck (Mille) and a whole host of new 675 Triumphs headed by James Parry and Duncan Knox in the Sound of Thunder class. In the Mini Twins battle it’s Nigel Wright, defending class champ on his 800SS Ducati up against the class favourite choice of SV650 Suzuki with Darryl Alexander the main challenger after a string of wins to close down Wright in the points table.

Streetstocks racing for road legal machines is really strong at present with Dan Kift his CBR 1000 RR Honda on top at present, but expect to see a strong challenge from Jon Harwood, Hilary Philips and Jer Thomas. The 700’s see ‘07 runner up Andy Hayes wanting to go one better this year on his R6, with Marlon Butcher and Nicholas Andrews trying to stop him. In the 400 division though Richard Troth is having a relatively easy run of things with convincing 7 wins from 8 starts so far with Ben Marsden the only rider to make and real challenge.

Matt Dix and Rob Beere are definitely the pick on the sidecar crop so far in this year on their F2 600 Baker. They head both the F2 and Open classes. Ian Drowne/Gary Andrews and Rod Robinson/Shellie Smithies are their nearest challengers for glory. With races also for newcomers on the programme Ben Marsden in the 400’s and Martin Lowe in the open are hoping this year could launch their racing careers.