Report by Chris Lamb
Weaver Valley double win: Alan Kemp takes the Over 60 Race; Eleanor Underhill is fastest lady.
They say that a week is a long time in politics. Six days after we were drowned by monsoon conditions, the English summer delivered an evening of near perfect weather with little wind and pleasant sunshine to show the circuit at its picturesque best.
We had the benefit of a classic 3.8 Mark II Jaguar dating back to 1965 as the official course car for Round Two of the Oulton Park series. With the track still showing the signs of combat from the Touring Car races held last Sunday the Over 50 race opened proceedings. Despite its vintage the car was still younger than most of the riders.
After eight of the ten laps had been completed it looked as though a four-man break driven by Nigel Harrop (Seamons CC) and Steve Horsey (Whitfield RT) could be decisive. The leading quartet were soon joined by Keith Jones (Graham Weigh RT) as they came past the start/finish area and during the ninth lap Alan Kemp (Weaver Valley CC) featured in a move which would bring the bunch back together for the final sprint which he duly won.
Graham Weigh improved on his third place last week to take second from 15 year old Sam Turton (Liverpool Mercury / Dolan CC) and Allan Ramsey (Roadpeace) in the Over 60 category. Eleanor Underhill made it a WVCC double as she took the female honours.
The Over 50 category saw Steve Davies (Onimpex Bioracer RT) take victory from Steve Horsey, Gordon Wallace (Graham Weigh RT) and last week’s winner Mark Bethell (Macclesfield CC).
Last week, National Champion Ryan Mullen suffered a rare defeat in the Under 40 race. This week he was keen to ensure no repeat and was part of a group of riders who set a fast pace to outstrip the main field. The Planet X rider had to deal with the concerted efforts of the Champion Systems/Max Gear pairing of fellow-Junior Jacob Ragan and Senior category rider Michael Ashurst followed home by James Notley (Planet X).
There was a no such change of fortune in the 40-49 category as Andy Tinsley (Champion Systems/Max Gear) repeated his victory followed by team mate Wayne Greenhalgh with Scott Smith (Birkenhead North End/Bike Factory) placed third and Steve Hilton (Warrington RC) fourth.
Weaver Valley riders taking part also included Kevan Underhill, Nick Butterworth, Mark Adshead, Paul Longley, Nigel Woods, Garry Brown, John Keen and Carol Robson.
Thanks are once again due to the volunteers of British Red Cross, Graham Gregory and his Weaver Valley team of Race Officials, Richard Heywood and the Administration team at Race HQ.
The next and final event in the Oulton Park Series will be held on Tuesday 19th. Race HQ is open for entries from 6pm at the circuit. The Dave Astles Memorial Trophy will be awarded to the Over 60 Race winner.