Formula Junior & Streetfighters

Lee Reveley was first past the chequered flag in both Formula Junior & Streetfighters events. But they were two contrasting races for the 2012 Thundersport GB Golden Era Superbike Champion.

Riding the sole 1000cc machine in the field Reveley was only fourth fastest in qualifying on a track that never dried throughout the day and maintained that position for the opening two laps of race one as pole position man Alex Baker broke away at the front on his Aprilia 450.

Soon finding a consistently quicker pace Reveley passed impressive novice Ian Allkins’ Honda 500 on lap three to ease his Aprilia into third and then eclipsed Aprilia 550-mounted Keith Warren on the next circuit to go second before pulling clear of those two riders as he steadily hunted down Baker.

Latching onto the rear of Baker at around two thirds distance Reveley made his move at the hairpin on lap eight and when Baker exited proceedings at the same part of the track next time around Reveley was left alone in front to take a clear victory with Warren second and Allkins third.

Reveley later led every lap of race two to secure his second win of the day with Baker the runner-up on this occasion, who, once he had overcome eventual third place finisher Warren for second on lap four was able to close up to, but not pass Reveley, before he subsequently dropped back to finish 4.427 seconds behind the winner.

There was however the compensation of a comprehensive victory in the Formula Junior division for Baker as he passed the chequered flag over a minute clear of Yamaha 400-mounted second in class Richard Wilson, while after taking the Formula Junior win in race one Doug Edmondson brought his Yamaha 250 home fifth in class in race two.

Formula Senior & Open

Lee Williams headed the results sheets each time the Formula Senior and Open competitors ventured onto the track. But the Honda 600 rider had to work hard for his victories, particularly in race two, as he twice overcame the challenge of Joe Newbould and Gordon Scott.

Making the most of pole position Williams charged to the front of the field on the opening lap of race one and was never headed thereafter as his pursuers, Newbould and Scott, duelled for the runner-up position that ultimately went to Suzuki 1000 pilot Scott by 0.252 of a second from his Kawasaki 600-mounted adversary.

Under darkening skies and with the first drops of rain that came down heavier in the closing stages, and very heavily once the race was over, starting to fall, it was again Williams who set the early pace in race two as Newbould and Scott followed closely behind.

All pressuring each other during the contest Scott passed Newbould into Edwina’s on lap three and then overhauled Williams for the lead on lap seven before Williams re-took that position on lap eight and Newbould grabbed second by taking the inside line as he and Scott passed either side of a slower rider down Devil’s Elbow.

With little still between them two sub 60-second laps on the final two circuits helped Williams cement another win, while Newbould just held on to second place as Scott closed to within 0.009 of a second at the finish after running on at Edwina’s on the last lap and rejoining the action a slightly detached third.

Riding his Suzuki 650 in these races, after using his 450cc Honda in the Streetfighter events, Rob Garland took the Formula Senior honours in race one, while after missing that outing it was Alex Baker in fourth overall on his Aprilia 450 who collected those spoils in race two.

Sidecars

Just five outfits from vintage to modern took to the track for the sidecar events in which Alan Molyneux/Andy Halewood bagged both victories on their Baker Yamaha by 18.361 and 15.809 seconds respectively ahead of Bellas Yamaha-mounted Doug Chandler/Dean Kilkenny.

Circulating together for much of qualifying, as Molyneux/Halewood secured pole position, the gap between these two crews ebbed and flowed as they remained relatively close throughout the opening nine laps of race one before a final circuit navigation by Chandler/Kilkenny almost 17 seconds slower than their fastest lap of the race gave Molyneux/Halewood most of their significant margin of victory.

Leading every racing lap of the day race two saw Molyneux/Halewood consistently pulling away at the front while Chandler/Kilkenny were the untroubled runners-up once they had eclipsed the Windle Kawasaki of twice third father and son pairing, Bill and Nick Roberts, on the first lap charge down the Stebbe Straight to Edwina’s.

Dick and Tom Tapken were twice fourth on their classic BMW outfit, while after completing just two laps of race one on their vintage BSA Road Rocket-powered steed Mark and Sue Whittaker made it a full complement of finishers in race two as they passed the chequered flag fifth.

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