The first Thundersport GB meeting of the year, at Mallory Park, was massive.
Superb grids, great weather, great racing.
Indeed, staff at the Park reckoned they’d never seen a fuller paddock – even at BSB!
The huge entry meant that the Race of the Year, scheduled for this event, had to be moved to a later date in the year, and also that the test day, scheduled for Friday, became a qualifying day, with everyone getting two extended sessions each.

Connor Tagg is a young man on a mission. Last season the Dunlop Aprilia Superteen rider gained a podium finish at the Moto GP support race, and there was a sudden leap in confidence. His form has steadily improved, and the 14 year-old was rewarded with three wins out of four, with Lee Jackson grabbing the other.
Andy Reid scored three seconds and a third, while Australian, Matt Davies, Ben Gautrey, and Danny Murphy all scored good points.
Forty-six youngsters qualified, a wonderful testimony to the enduring strength of this, the best beginners’ series in bike racing.

The all-new Bridgstone Thundersport 500 series sported forty-one entries, and produced three different winners, including a superb effort by rookie racer, Daniel Beugel, who also set the fastest 500 lap of the weekend on his way to victory.
But another star was born – almost…
We all know racing can be cruel, but Phil Davenport surely endured a tough baptism. The rookie put his 500 on pole, and led from the start. He was under pressure throughout the race, and even lost the lead a couple of times, under braking for Edwina’s, but fought back, and was on course for an excellent maiden win when it all went silly at the Elbow, just yards from the waiting chequered flag.
He learnt his lesson though, and finished his three remaining races in the points.

Stormin’ Norman, King of the Assembly Area, celebrated another birthday on Sunday, providing a handsome excuse for one and all to get their laughing-gear around a scrummy cake, baked by his wife, and fellow Marshal, Margaret.

It was great to see the redoubtable Steve Tomes back in the saddle.
He was on a borrowed 400 in the bikesportnews.com Junior Powerbikes, after experiencing problems with his Moto 450, and, starting from the back of the grid, produced a series of stunning performances, sharing the wins with Alex Hutchinson. These two were constantly harassed by the pretty little Aprilia 550, being honed by the ever-enthusiastic Rob Elsmere.
Rob just missed out on a win, but now holds the Junior Powerbike lap record at Mallory.

Gp1s, Pirelli 600s, Metzeler Superstock 600s, the glorious Gimoto Leathers Streetfighters and Supertwins, and races for the Nitro Newcomer Aprilia Superteens all produced fantastic action to ensure an entirely successful weekend.

But perhaps the biggest pointer to a really strong future for British bike talent were the E2E Solutions Thundersport GP3 races.
Last season’s Dunlop Aprilia Superteen Champion, Frazer Rogers has moved up to the Honda 125s, but the 13 year-old finds himself in tough company indeed. On paper, this series has more potential winners than most, with many having previous experience at this level.
Frazer was out-qualified by Adam Robinson and Arnie Shelton, but won the Superpole race, and took both victories on Sunday.
All over, already?
Not a bit of it!
Shelton rode superbly, and Robinson, Sam Hornsey, Neil Durham, Scott Wilson, Danny Smith and Joel Williams all impressed, while Simon Low, Rowan Miller, and Tom Carne all scored good points – it’s set to be a vintage season for the GP3s.
So, a great start for Flying Frazer, but the others are on his case. Neil Durham had the fastest lap of the weekend, and there were four riders with faster laps than Frazer in the final race.
Roll on, Cadwell