Race Reports by Steve Cotrell
Mallory Park - 31st March
After a successful and uneventful practice session at the circuit just 2 weeks before, the stage was set for some good racing and high place finishes at the traditional season opener on Easter Sunday. Unfortunately things did not turn out quite the way that it was planned. The first race was developing into a close three way scrap between John Butcher (Ducati), reigning 3 times champion Stu Noble (BSA) and Ray, who had pulled out a 20 yard lead by half distance only for him to loose it again in controversial circumstances when the other two riders overtook under a yellow flag. Ray fought back to second on the last lap and was challenging Stu for the lead going into the Hairpin only to get tangled with back markers and brought down almost within sight of the flag. As Ray failed to finish the race, we agreed that it would be seen as "sour grapes" to launch an appeal against Stu and John and their points were left to stand for 1st and 2nd respectively. In the second race the bike was down on power, due to debris sucked into the engine in the previous spill and Ray was off the pace sufficiently to finish a rather distant 3rd albeit almost half a lap clear of 4th place, with the positions reversed ahead of him.
Snetterton - 20th April
A top end rebuild was required to restore the performance ready for our trip to the Norfolk flatlands and a chance to redress the points balance was anticipated. Again we had a rather lack lustre meeting coming home a lonely 4th in the first championship race, after an excursion onto the grass at the Esses. The field was strung out behind Merv Stratford, showing he had lost none of his previous form on returning for his first meeting after serious injury at Three Sisters had laid him low for nearly 6 months. The second race was even more frustrating as Ray had another lonely ride and eventually finished 5th, beaten for another 4th place by a Ducati that was drinking alcohol after the lunch break. However, considering our past record at the circuit we should count ourselves lucky as blow-ups and crashes have normally been the order of the day in the past few years!
Cadwell Park - 11/12th June
The Lincolnshire circuit is always a favourite with spectators and riders alike, although arriving there in 5th place in the championship meant that we had a lot to do to get back on terms with the leaders. The Saturday races in the two day programme started wet and were on the little used, short and twisty Woodland circuit. In the first race it was John Butcher on his Ducati showing everybody the way home with Merv Stratford, and Nigel Lines behind. Ray finished 4th again on a slippery and unfamiliar course still in close touch with the leading three.
The second race was far better with Ray succeeding in demoting both Merv and Nigel to the lower positions, but was again unable to match the pace of John's Ducati. His second place being his best finish so far this year. This was made so much the sweeter for having beaten Merv Stratford fair and square for the first time ever in Ray's career.
Sunday dawned bright and clear for the second day at Cadwell, this time on the Full Circuit. Due to a day of attrition on the Woodland Circuit some of the previous protagonists were still licking their wounds in the paddock and were unable to come to the starting grid. In the first race Ray got a flier of a start and was first into Coppice and away up the hill. By the end of the lap Merv Stratford had reeled him back in and Ray was battling for second. Another lap and John Butcher had assumed his (too) regular position at the head of the field and after pulling out a good cushion over the following pair, cruised to his third win of the weekend. Ray tried hard to keep the pressure on Merv, but had to settle for 3rd.
The second race proved to be even less well supported due to retirements. The most noticeable being the absence of Stratford and his rapid Rudge. Ray made another flier of a start but had the frustration of being out paced along the fast Park Straight by John Butcher again and had to settle for a lonely and unchallenged 2nd place.
So despite a slow and frustrating start to the season we are now lying 2nd in the championship standings, some way back from John Butcher, but just ahead of Mervyn Stratford. Everyone else is in a free-for-all for the lower placings.
The next historic Championship meeting is at Ty Croes, the picturesque circuit on the north west coast of the island of Anglesey over the weekend of 22/23rd June. At the end of the Saturday proceedings this will mark the half way stage of the 20 race championship. However, prior to the Ty Croes meeting, Ray will be racing the classic spec Crusader at the Isle of Man Billown circuit in the pre TT classic races (bank holiday weekend 24/27 May).
Pre TT Classic Races - Billown Circuit, Isle of Man
(Report by Jess hemming)
Not unusually, the weather during the Isle of Man TT fortnight was at times, bad to say the least! We arrived in lashing rain and gales that saw 1" diameter tent poles twisting out of shape. The first priority therefore was to dig out ropes and crow bars and just about anything that would help to anchor down the tent that was to act as the shed for the next two weeks!
I think Ray, in common with the other newcomers, was wondering what he'd let himself in for, especially after we'd blatted round the circuit and discovered just how bumpy it was - and that was on a modern 750 Ducati!
Fortunately, as the time for his first practice session drew near, the weather cleared, it was still blowing fiercely but the rain had stopped and the road surface has started to dry nicely. Looking forward to his first run around on the 250 Crusader, Ray set off. Alas, fortune was not to last - he did two laps on the bike and a third lap in the back of the recovery van, the bike having developed a missfire then expiring. Ray was feeling pretty het up at this point since we'd been led to believe that he wouldn't get another practice session, and since he clearly hadn't qualified, then he wouldn't be racing. Luckily, that wasn't actually the case. We learned that there was to be a second ten minute practice session (two laps) the following day. The next priorty, therefore, was to sort out the bike - he thought he'd bent a valve because the bike had expired shortly after he'd missed a gear, but having spent half the night pulling the motor apart it turned out to be a duff coil.
The second practice session went okay, that is to say that Ray completed it and did qualify, even if he'd earned a position at the back of the grid. He'd found the course bumpy, but enjoyable, the only drawback being that he was down on power on the long straights. (He said he had to look behind the fairing to see if someone had swaped his engine for a honda stepthru!) To really get a feel for the course, we decided to walk most of it and found that to be a worthwhile exercise.
Race day dawned and once again we were blessed by a break in the otherwise grim weather. It was a little disappointing that the 250's were racing on the Friday as opposed to the main race day (Monday) when all the crowds were gathered, but at least he was racing!
As usual, as the lights turned green, Ray tore away from the start getting well amongst the pack, but by the time he had got to the end of the first long straight he was already losing ground due to the lack of power and by lap three was one of the back markers. I knew he wouldn't be that worried, his aim this first year was to take it easy anyway, learn his way around and with luck get a 'finishers award'. As it turned out though, the 'finishers award' will have to wait for another year, with two laps to go he was black flagged. The problem being that the oil feed to the rockers had broken and was spraying oil everywhere.
He was disappointed, but not deterred - he's learnt some lessons and can't wait to go back and try it all over again next year hopfully on a faster bike!
(Report by Steve Cotrell)
Our annual visit to the far North West corner of Wales was blessed with dry and sunny conditions albeit a bit windy. The bike appeared to running well but was still down on top end revs along the main straight and to add insult to injury, the overhauled and relined front brake was not performing as well as the worn out one!
The usual pattern of events unfolded yet again over the weekend with Ray trying hard to get amongst the faster machinery, even leading some of the races early on, only to be outgunned by the superior power of Mervyn Stratford's Rudge and John Butcher's Ducati. Stu Noble had troubles of his own and missed the first race due to electrical problems, but came back strongly later on.
Saturday's championship races resulted in two third places, behind John and Merv in race 1 and Merv and Stu in race 2. John Butcher having had his first D.N.F. so far this year.
Sunday's race 1 produced the closest 4 way battle between the main protagonists over the weekend finishing with Ray unfortunately in fourth spot, with John, Merv and Stu ahead in that order. The second race proved to be a bit of a procession with the placings exactly the same. The racing programme was not over for Ray though. Having had problems on Saturday due to fuel starvation and a flat battery, the petrol burning 250 was enlisted to compete in the 350 championship races (the full 350cc prototype needs more fettling). We had already succeeded in securing fourth in the first race and to end the day Ray managed an outstanding second, beaten only by John Macmahon on his AJS 7R. Not a bad result at all on a bike that only measures 255cc on its first rebore!
Aberdare Park National Road Races July 20/21st
(Report by Steve Cotrell)
The track, which just under a mile long and ridden anticlockwise around the pond and trees in the town park, looks set to be a regular fixture in the racing calendar with our second visit in two years. The venue is ideally suited to "Classic" machinery, putting the emphasis on handling and braking as much as outright speed.
Ray was entered in the Welsh Classic and Golden Era classes. Unfortunately neither had a specific 250cc class which put us at a distinct disadvantage to start with as nearly all the other machines entered were of larger capacity. All the races were clutch start, which effectively negated any advantage Ray had last year from his lightning getaways when pushing. Nonetheless we enjoyed a good weekend in glorious sunshine, competing in a heat for each class per day and three out of four finals over the two days, making seven rides in all.
Our racing consisted mainly of trying not to be last by beating some of the other four 250's, which on paper at least were all potentially quicker. In all but one race Ray achieved this against an Ossa, Cotton, Greaves and Ducati. In one race we also succeeded in beating a 500 Velocette and in another a Maxton Yamaha 350 and some of the 250's. Sunday's results being the better overall.
Apart from the engine getting very hot on its low gearing in the ten lap finals we had no problems in nearly a hundred miles of racing.
We left on Sunday having decided that the bike would have probably finished midfield amongst the larger capacity machines with just a little bit more power. It has been decided to press on with a further modified Cylinder Head which should do the trick. Hopefully we can run this before the season is out and further develop it during the winter.
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Right: Ray and Dave (Swampy) Brasier, sizing each other up in the holding area |
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Elvington - 17th August
After the long trek to Elvington, near York on Friday evening we were all set for Round 5 of the championships when the mists cleared on Saturday morning. First impressions were not too promising as the circuit was on the flat and desolate end of the York Air Museum airfield and was reported as very bumpy in practice. Spectating was good though, with an unrestricted view of the entire track.
Our first event was a 350cc Championship race which started well with Ray holding a good 5th place amongst the Manx's and Gold Stars, until he drifted wide on a fast right hander and clipped a straw bale marking the outside extreme of that part of the track. This resulted in retirement due to the left footrest and rear brake having been drastically "altered". This was not the confidence building opener that we hoped it would be for the later 250cc race.
After another race took place, which gave Ray a chance to get his breath back, it was onto the grid again for the start of the first 250cc encounter. Ray made his usual lightning start and he was holding close second at the end of lap one sandwiched between John Butcher's Ducati and Stu Noble's BSA. Ray out braked himself at the Horseshoe bend next time around and fell to 3rd. John Butcher appeared to have it sewn up, but struck engine trouble and fell off the pace, eventually retiring, leaving Stu and Ray to battle for the lead. After a very close and exciting remainder of the race Stu claimed the win by 0.26 of a second from Ray.
The second 350cc race was far more rewarding than the retirement in the first. The bike was literally hammered back into shape over the lunch break allowing Ray to have a race long dice with Mike Hope on his Gold Star. The places changed at least twice a lap and finally ended with Ray beating Mike for 4th on the twisty run up to the flag.
One race later it was back to the fray for the second 250cc Championship outing. John Butcher had evicted the gremlins from his motor and took a commanding lead early on. He held it comfortably until the finish. From our point of view though this was of purely academic interest as Ray was locked in battle with Stu Noble again, this time for second. As the laps were reeled off it was obvious that there was only one realistic place to take the second place slot. This would be at the same sequence of bends leading to the flag that Ray had used successfully in the previous 350cc race and it would have to be the last lap. Ray judged his challenge to perfection and rode round the outside of Stu on the Esses that precede the finish line and held on until the flag for 2nd by a bike's length.
This was a result that was as good as a win in the excitements stakes. It was somewhat tarnished later in the day by Stu Noble being demoted to 4th in the results as it was deemed (somewhat harshly) that he had jumped the start and was given a 10 second penalty.
Three Sisters - 14th/15th September
(Report by Steve Cotrell)
With only 6 races remaining in this year's racing calendar we headed North again along the dreaded M5/M6 to the "scratchers" paradise of 3 Sisters near Wigan. On this torturously twisty 0.9 mile circuit the machines are only upright for a few seconds each lap.
Ray opted to arrive on Friday in order to take advantage of an open practice session using the petrol burning 250 which is currently being used in the 350 class, pending further development of the full 350 prototype. He reported no problems other than some lurid slides due to a rear tyre that is most definitely "past its sell by date".
SATURDAY
The morning dawned bright and clear, and it remained that way all weekend. We had a long wait before the first 250 outing, which gave us plenty of time to watch several riders inspecting the tarmac at close quarters, despite the seemingly ideal conditions. This was not very confidence inspiring. Eventually, after lunch in fact, the 250's were called to the grid. Ray made his usual flier of a start and after early leaders John Butcher and Stu Noble fell by the wayside with mechanical problems, he was able to hold off a late challenge from Merv Stratford for our first and well deserved win of the season.
It was then time for a quick change act in the paddock as the 350's were next in the programme. Ray came in jumped off the 250, straight onto the "350", had a quick drink and went straight out onto the track again. The race that followed was very satisfying to watch as Ray did battle with John MacMahon on his AJS 7R, getting dragged along in a scrap that saw them pull away from the rest of the field. It was John who took the win though, out- powering Ray to the flag.
Due to even more incidents the second half of the day's programme had the race distances cut from 7 to only 4 laps. As it was, the races turned out to be just as exciting. The 250 race started as before but without John Butcher and Stu Noble, instead the Ariel Leader of Ian Cramp was really flying and he changed places with Ray for the lead almost every lap with the decision going to Ray by only 0.02 second! This must rate as one of Ray's most determined rides and deserved wins. It was then back to the paddock for a bike change and straight into the fray again. The second 350 race was as good as the first. A similar pattern developed between John MacMahon's Ajay and Ray as they again pulled away. John succeeded in holding off a determined challenge from Ray to the flag.
SUNDAY
The racing on Sunday was run more smoothly with far less incidents, which meant we were able to have one ride on each bike before lunch and a breather before the second half of the programme.
Race 3 for the 250 was shaping up to be another win with Ray comfortably ahead for half of the race. Unfortunately for us, Merv Stratford was hungry for points and after negotiating traffic, closed in toward the end of the race for a last lap outbraking manoeuvre at Paddoick Bend to take a narrow lead that he was able to maintain to the flag.
The first outing for the 350 was to be the highlight of the weekend with Ray, having borrowed a complete rear wheel with new tyre from the Gimbert equipe (who also run a very tidy 250 Royal Enfield) hounding John MacMahon in the now usual fashion. For once though, the outcome was different with Ray's determined riding getting the better of MacMahon's Ajay with half a lap to go. All eyes were on the exit to Lunar Bend and the flag, with the "just over 250" Enfield getting the decision by a wheel.
Our last race on the 250 was, although not at all bad, our worst result all weekend. This was due mainly to a back row grid position and difficult traffic on the first few laps. This allowed Merv Stratford and Ian Cramp to pull away to have their own battle out front, eventually decided in Merv's favour, while Ray had to work hard to carve his way through for third place.
The final ride for the weekend returned to the regular format with Ray again 2nd to John MacMahon, who was determined not to let Ray get the upper hand and square the points tally for the meeting, but it was still a good close race.
All in all this must rate as our best meeting ever in terms of results and exciting racing. It had the added bonus of seeing us overhaul John Butcher in the points table for second spot, but Mervyn Stratford is looking good for his umpteenth championship win with just two races to go at Cadwell Park on 12th October.
The "350" in action at Three Sisters.
Photo by John Wood
Cadwell Park October 12th
(Report by Steve Cotrell)
Despite being very lucky with the weather, Cadwell Park has proved to be the only wet location on the racing calendar (for the second time) this year. The rain and low cloud provided a dismal start to the day and showed no signs of improvement until the racing had finished. Only then did the sun come out briefly.
Ray was out first in the 350 class on the 255cc petrol burner and after an uneventful ride came home a respectable 5th despite a speed disadvantage on Park Straight and up the hill through Coppice Bend. The decidedly damp conditions being a great leveller on the twisty bits.
The first 250cc race should have shaped up as a 5 way scrap between Ray, Merv Stratford (Rudge), John Butcher (Ducati), Stu Noble (BSA) and Ian Cramp (Ariel), but it was not to be as only Ray and Merv of all the main protagonists came to the line. The racing was still close nonetheless with Dave Witt on his Classic Ducati getting the holeshot. As the race progressed it was evident that neither Merv nor Ray could haul the faired machine back in, so for most of the race Ray shadowed Merv. On the last lap dash to the Hairpin Ray managed to outbrake the Rudge and dived up the inside to lead up the hill through Coppice. The glory was short lived though as Ray had to watch Merv slipstream past along Park Straight to take the flag by a machine's length.
The second 350cc encounter unfolded in a similar fashion to the first but Ray managed to pick up one more place finishing 4th after a couple of riders came to grief at Mansfield. The results this year although not earth shattering should be good enough for 5th or 6th in the championship when all the points are tallied up.
Although the championship was already decided with Merv Stratford winning for the umpteenth time in his 34 year involvement, Ray, assured of 2nd for the third year running was out to redress the balance in our last race in 2002. The flag dropped and after getting a cleaner start than in the first 250cc race, Ray tucked in behind the Ducati of Witt as they pulled away from the pack. As the riders became more strung out it was Cramp and Stratford leading the chase.
Unfortunately for him Cramp took to the grass and took no further part in the proceedings. Merv though obviously trying, did not seem to be able to close the gap on the leading pair. As the last lap flag went out there was 10 yards between leader Dave Witt and Ray with only 1.47 miles of racing left. We held our breath to see who would emerge into view first at Mansfield for the sprint to the chequered flag. It was the Ducati, but Ray had closed the gap to no more than a wheel by the flag, setting the fastest 250cc lap of the day in the process.
So the season is over ending on a high note with a class win and fastest lap on the final lap of 2002. Now its back to the shed to find even more performance for "power hungry" Ray in 2003.