If there were two words that could describe round three of the Rich Energy British Mini Bike Championship that took place at the fantastic Whilton Mill circuit they would be Red and Flag.

The Daventry-based circuit is known for being an ice rink in the damp and drizzle, and that it certainly was on the two test days, Friday and Saturday. The officials across the full weekend did an amazing job of running the event with numerous stoppages and red flags from the moment the track was live on Friday to the last race on Sunday, a tough job done very well by Alan Lord and his team.

As always we like to pick out three top performances from the weekend spanning all classes, and this round was as tough as ever to only pick three, as there were so many amazing rides, battles and close racing on the Sunday.

Our first mention has to go to SM90 rider Luca Wilkinson more commonly known as “El Loco” – The ‘Crazy one’ in Spanish. Luca rode amazingly all weekend on his 90cc powered machine and is a real treat to have in the paddock with his family who back Luca to the hilt, but in the right way.

I’m sure Luca and his family won’t mind me mentioning that Luca has autism, and is very proud of this fact and does not use it to hide behind. In fact it’s the complete opposite and in his family’s words El Loco uses his “super powers” to make him achieve and drive him on through the races.

It certainly worked over the weekend after taking the SM90 class overall. Luca is one of those young kids who lives for the racing, and recently started also riding a 110cc powered bike in another class and his efforts and his results have definitely not gone unnoticed over recent times.

Our second rider is young Charlie Ward, his first meeting on a GP bike (with fairing) and rode quite splendidly across the weekend and was straight on the pace bringing the new bike home in second place behind Arnie Carr, who I’m sure we will be hearing more of quite quickly.

It was great to watch both lads ride and get quicker over the weekend. We spoke with Charlie at the end of proceedings on Sunday and the smile on his face said it all, he stood proudly with his trophy that I’m sure will be pride of place on the Ward mantel piece, many more to come.

Finally, I think it’s important the officials and medical teams get a mention after as I said earlier a rather busy weekend. This also goes out to the scrutineers Mark and Rob Andrews that stand in the rain and check everyone’s bikes and generally make sure the bikes and riders are doing what they should be.

The medical team and general race running was again effortlessly run by Mike and his team who have a very difficult job and have to be dynamic in their response to crashes, incidents and general running of the day, not an easy task.

And finally the BMB owner Alan Lord and his family for making sure the timing is on point, communication to riders and generally making sure all riders are acting within the spirit of the paddock that Alan has worked tirelessly over the years to create. A job well done.

The next round of the British Mini Bikes takes us up to a riders favorite venue at Three Sisters circuit near Wigan on the 19-20th of September.

It’s a fast flowing circuit where in the past years racing has been very close. With Covid19 restrictions still in place spectators are still not allowed into the venues which is a real shame but as normal the action will be live to watch in the comfort of your own home.