Race Reports
Round 1 DRUMCLOG 2019
SCOTTISH TWINSHOCK CLUB :
Race Reports
Round 1 Drumclog moto Parc , Race Report by Jim Grieve
Photographs by Barry Gordon / Peter Greenwood
Scottish Twinshock Round 1
Drumclog Moto Parc, Strathaven
Sunday 24th March 2019
Report by Jim Grieve
Hello everyone and welcome back to a new year of twin shock racing and some very exciting racing it was indeed, in what would prove to be quite challenging conditions, (rain showers most of the day). The new committee held a very well organised race day at a superbly groomed track, and many thanks must go to Fraser Cruickshank.
From sign on, to the marshals briefing (thank you to Margaret Gordon), to all of the race entry forms being prepared for the next races at rounds 2, 3 and 4 and put into envelopes then handed to the riders, well everything went smooth and very efficiently as well.
The day started off with perfect conditions and an equally perfect track, unfortunately this would not last, but with over one hundred competitors braving the elements and racing, then surely this was a resounding triumph
So we then moved onto our SIGHTING laps, remember that word “sighting”, not practice laps. Off went the Evo’s, twin shock’s, etc, and after only about a third of a lap, there was a coming together between Keith Birse and Paul Chiappa, on the first table top and so down went Keith for a long dirt nap of about 3 or 4 minutes. Looking and learning from this experience, we shall be doing “sighting “laps and just getting the feel for the track, in the rounds to come later. Anyway, a speedy recovery to Keith and I am so glad I was able to avoid landing on you head buddy.
Onto our group of races and there was going to be some spectacular racing indeed. There would also be a drizzle of rain, which would accompany the racers for most of the day and keep everyone on their toes. Some more so than others.
As the first race set of the line, everyone charged up the hill and got themselves sorted out after the dust, (mud) had settled, the 125 evo class would end up as a Peter o’neil benefit race as he was really enjoying the power and flick ability of his wee 125 screamer, this is not to say that he will have it all his own way this year, as last year’s champion Willie P was keeping him honest, albeit from a distance away, as was Ewan Campbell, indeed these three riders seemed to end most of the races at a similar equidistance apart. Anyway, we had Peter o’Neil taking the overall, followed home by William Penrice and then Ewan Campbell.
Onto the Youth class and always an exciting race. I personally enjoy watching this class and seeing the progression of our future stars. In this class Jordan Graham was certainly on his game and would take three flying wins, from Kieran Schofield Sives and every progressing Rhys Brown, the later two swapping seconds and thirds, and the only three youth riders to complete all three races, with James Forrest taking a very creditable third place in race three as well. Consistency was certainly the name of the game in the youth class, and we had Jordan Graham taking the overall from Kieran Schofield Sives and in third it would be Rhys Brown. There is certainly a lot of talent in this class at the moment and hopefully we can encourage more youth riders to compete as the season progresses. Unfortunately, last years champion was side-lined due to injury and we wish him a speedy recovery, hope to see you riding soon Kyle.
Moving onto the Pre-77 class, and some rapid speed from crowd favourite Ian ’lugs’ Robertson and his trusty red tanked XT Yamaha (fooled a few people that one). We also had a return of a rider from self-induced exile, in the shape of Gary Britton, great to see these guys back at the races, and with Grant Mcclure taking a race win as well. Then later on we had Ian who seemed to have lost a fiver in the finishing corner mud and dived in to try and find it, ha ha.. This fiercely fought class is always one to be watched closely and the finishing order would be Ian Robertson taking the win from Grant Mcclure and Gary ‘I have returned’ Britton in third. We must also send out an applause to Peter Maxwell who took second in the first race and then appeared to have bike issues after that.
The four-stroke class is always one to watch as well, with these large, heavy twin shock machines booming around the country side. In this class there were many bike problems, which played heavily in the final results with Sam Sibbald taking race 1 from a rejuvenated Kevin Maguire taking second on the big KToom. In races 2 and 3 it would be Keith Stanford from Big Ricky Caldwell and so with his consistency and wily old fox-like head then Ricky would take the overall win from Keith and Sam Sibbald concluding the podium positions in 3rd. This was indeed a hard-fought class on these heavier old machines and in some very difficult, trying conditions as well. Superb racing well done men.
Onto the second group of races with the twin shock under 300cc’s, the over 50’s class and the open twin shock class competing and ready to do battle. Off the line went everyone together for the first race and the large 500’s would be ideally suited to these conditions, tackling the long uphill sections with ease. The first race would turn out to be a closely fought battle between John Crawford (last years over 50 champion, moving up a class this year), and Craig Smith, with only a few seconds separating them at the flag, last year’s twin shock champion, Paul Chiappa would ultimately suffer bike problems, not only in race 1 but race 2 as well, expect Paul to be making a spirited comeback at round 2. In race 2 it would be a role reversal between John Crawford and Craig Smith, with Craig taking the win, closely followed by John and In race three it would be a satisfying win for Paul chiappa, with a typical gutsy performance, then it would be Craig Smith beating John Crawford for second and so the results would be Craig Smith taking first overall from John Crawford and Barry Smith who rode consistently all day, would bring the large 490 Yamaha home in a well-deserved third. Unlucky does not fully express Paul Chiappa’s day at the first round, but watch this space for a spirited return, I am sure.
The under 300cc twin shock class would prove to be a day to forget for the current club champion Calum Kilgour and with bike problems in the initial race he would be side lined for the remainder of the day, so as the under 300cc class headed off it would be Jim Grieve flying into a distant lead with a spirited performance from Ritchie Mcfadden taking second and ever consistent Alex Joiner in third, for the second race Jim Grieve would have the red rocket engine cut out but would have enough in hand to remount and to still take the win from spirited rides by Alex and Ritchie who would change their positions from the first race.. Onto the final race and Jim Grieve(me), flying on the wee honda would take the maximum from Alex Joiner and Ritchie Mcfadden, and that would also be the overall positions with Jim Grieve in first, Alex joiner in Second and Ritchie Mcfadden taking third.
The over 50’s up next and never a class to disappoint would have last years over 50 class bridesmaid John Lamont easily take the race win and the maximum, with Mike van Der Merwe taking the runner up in this race followed by a superb performance by big Iain Clark and a notable mention to another road racing compatriot joining our motocross club, Ian Mcpherson taking a well-deserved fourth. Onto race 2 and again it would be John Lamont taking the win from David Watson and again Iain Clark in third. The deciding race would see john Lamont with an easy win in this class again and David Watson and Iain Clark a distant second and third. The podium would be John Lamont in first place with the maximum and followed home by Iain Clark in 2nd and David Watson in 3rd.
Onto the third group of racing with the Evolution class, the 2-stroke class and the newly formed clubmen class. In the clubman class there would be a few sandbaggers in here and I am sure there could be a few people finding themselves in different classes at the next round, (you guys know who you are hee hee). Anyway the clubman class would be a runaway showing for Adam Curran, who would take the maximum amount of points with three spirited rides and followed home, albeit in the far distance by Jordan Hastings, Peter Rennie and Derrick Bellshaw. The end results being Adam Rennie 1st from Peter Rennie in 2nd and Derrick Bellshaw in 3rd.
The evolution class races would prove to be a spectacular race to watch, as ever, with Paul Johnston making three spectacular rides and winning each race by well over a minute (those drumclog practice days certainly do help eh Paul, lol), second in races one and three would be some superb riding by Roy Potts and some very consistent riding in the atrocious conditions by Tom Grant. The out come would have Paul Johnston taking the win from Tom Grant in 2nd and Roy Potts attaining the third step of the podium.
The 2-stroke class was another maximum of the day, this time by Lewis Farrow on his 125cc tiddler Husqvarna, with some superb riding in the conditions (who said you need a large bore bike to win). Also in this class you would have Robert Bell and Allan Shields trading places, with Robert and Allan taking a second and third position each in the first and second races, it would all be to play for in the third race, and it would be Robert Bell sailing off in this race to take second overall and third to an equally fast Allan Shields, with the top step going to Lewis Farrow.
Onto the final group of racing and the modern four stroke mono-shock class. This would be a fiercely exciting group of racing with never more than a few seconds between the leading pair of Steven Rennie and Aidan Christie, (unable to take club points) and a very good ride into third for Jamie Clark. In this class Aidan chased Steven very hard all day and it was a close affair in the second race but Steven Rennie was not to be denied for the maximum and again took the win. So the overall and a maximum would be taken by Steven Rennie, with a fine second overall for Jamie Clark and an equally fine third placing for Jordan Mcdonald moving up into the mono shock class in third and getting faster at each race event. Well done guys
For the team event we have four teams competing, and with team louden, team dial-a-tow, team Argyle, and team one stop racing we have added interest to see who will lift the laurels this year.
Points thus far are as follows.
1st Team Louden with 286
2nd Team Dial-a-tow with 223
3rd Team Argyle with 217
4th Team Onestop with 195
So no run-away teams as yet as it is still early days and all very close, with lots to play for.
RESULTS :
Group 1
Pre-77 class
1 Ian Robertson 2 Grant McClure 3 Gary Britton 4 Peter Maxwell
Youth class
1 Jordan Graham 2 Kieran Schofield Sives 3 Rhys Brown 4 James Forrest 5 Rory Oxland 6 Connel Allardyce
Pre 90 125cc class
1 Peter o’neil 2 William Penrice 3 Ewan Campbell 4 Damian Carter 5 Kevin Rosie 6 Jonathan Young
Fourstroke class
1 Ricky Caldwell 2 Keith Stanford 3 Sam Sibbald 4 Kevin Maguire 5 James Mclean 6 John Hopton
Group 2
Twinshock under 300cc class
1 Jim Grieve 2 Alex Joiner 3 Richie Mcfadden 4 David Stanford 5 Calum Kilgour
Over 50’s
1 John Lamont 2 Iain Clark 3 David Watson 4 Mike Van Der Merwe 5 Iain Mcpherson 6 Neil Litterick
Twin-shock open class
1 Craig Smith 2 John Crawford 3 Barry Smith 4 Mark Mason 5 Brian Allardyce 6 Paul Chiappa
Group 3
2-stroke open class
1 Lewis Farrow 2 Robert Bell 3 Allan Shields 4 Zander Martin 5 Lee Mcalister
Evolution class
1 Paul “PJ” Johnston 2 Tom Grant 3 Roy Potts 4 Morton Hannah 5 Craig Donaldson 6 Simon Graham
Clubmen Class
1 Adam Curran 2 Peter Rennie 3 Derrick Bellshaw 4 John Strang 6 Paul Ness
Group 4 Mono-shock class
1 Steven Rennie 2 Jamie Clark 3 Jordan Mcdonald 4 Kenny Hope 5 Shaun Robertson 6 Mathew Harper
So the first event is over for the twin shock calendar and we move onto the next round at Lochgilphead on the 28th of April, I hope to see you all there and ready for action, stay safe and thanks to everyone for the superb meeting at Drumclog. Our thoughts go to the injured riders on the day, get well quickly guys. If anyone wants to gain points in the championship then please remember to register for membership, points make prizes guys.