The Super Singles and Super Twins of NGRRC’s Pirelli UK GP45 Championship made it’s way to Cheshire’s picturesque Oulton Park circuit for round eight. Friday’s test day suffered heavy cloud bursts but Saturday enjoyed yet another NG race meeting in dry, warm conditions.

Saturday 9th July, round eight qualifier

The Super Singles and Super Twins all rolled out onto the grid with the mini-twins. This time around, the NGRRC GP45 Kawasaki had ex-250GP British Championship rider Ian Gardner at the controls. Following a short taster session in practice, Gardner was keen to find out what he could do with the little single against the 650s. Right from the off Gardner was unstoppable, taking place after place and proving his growing confidence in the sharp handling and effective braking of the GP45. At the flag Gardner took the NGRRC machine across the line in an impressive 5th position overall and a best lap of 1:56.13 – more than three seconds clear of his nearest GP45 rival Chris Harrison on the Motobits Super Twin SXV Aprilia.

To date Harrison as been a firm fixture at the sharp end, regularly achieving top three finishes against the mini-twins. However, this time out the Motobits’ Aprilia ended the race in 8th overall but beating his Super Twin rival Martin Thrower by a healthy margin. During friday’s heavy rain, Thrower found himself putting in some faster laps than Harrison for the first time this season, the ex-250 rider and GP45 UK distributor will need to bide his time to take on Harrison head-to-head in a wet race.

Super Single Pirelli UK GP45 Championship leader, Matt Andrew, attacked the challenging circuit but discovered how difficult it can be to make up places. The Ultiscan/Wedds & Co rider found himself lower down the order than previous rounds taking 2nd of the Super Single spots. An improving Robbie Robson on the bright orange KTM GP45 grabbed the final top three spot. Just four seconds behind and making excellent progress through the field came novice rider Gary Moran on his machinetoolsales.com Suzuki RMZ 450, next up was the Curtis Contractors GP45 Yamaha of Paul Annetts crossing the line in front of Tony Bridgefoot’s Bluebell Lakes Honda to round out the Super Single finishers.

Saturday 9th July, round eight final

The grid for the 18.844km final saw Chris Harrison unusually absent from the front row. Ian Gardner’s name was listed as heading up row 2, however following a mechanical failure for series’ regular Matt Andrew, Gardner gracefully handed over the NGRRC GP45 to help the Championship leader minimise any points losses. Sadly Lady Luck appeared to have abandoned Andrew for this meeting and he retired on the warm-up lap with a bent gearshift and scoring a disappointing DNF.

Chris Harrison took the flag first of the Super Twins and maintained his 8th on-the-road position race long.?The GP45.co.uk Aprilia SXV of Martin Thrower enjoyed many exchanges with the machinetoolsales.com 450 Single of Gary Moran storming his way to his first Super Single win of the season. Gosport’s Robbie Robson took the pretty, orange KTM to a strong 2nd spot, following by Tony Bridgefoot who was getting to grips with the notoriously tricky circuit and improving his best lap by nearly four seconds. Bridgefoot pushed on to get the better of Paul Annetts on the Curtis Contractors Yamaha who also improved his best lap by two seconds.

Pirelli UK GP45 Championship standings: Super Twins: Chris Harrison 175, Martin Thrower 112, Brad Davey 85?Super Singles: Matthew Andrew 165, Robbie Robson 93, Gary Moran 78.

Next round: Anglesey 13th-14th August 2011 Trophies awarded for both classes.