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ALEX GAULT - MAG SPORT RACING 2007 - Astounding Aintree - July 2007
At last Alex got the chance to race at Aintree if you remember the last time we were there, the meeting was abandoned due to torrential rain and flooded track.
This visit was quite the opposite, high temperatures and clear sky’s made this a meeting to remember along with a scorching performance from Alex.
He was entered onto his class of Super Sport 600’s but I had also entered him into “Superbikes” for some extra track time. I also said in our last report from here the Aintree Club is one of the friendliest clubs in Britain, and this meeting was no exception, smiles all-round throughout the day.
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Alex at Knockhill
Picture Courtesy of Ken Christie |
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The day started of with 500cc – 1300cc practice, there were two slots for this and we decided to go out in the second. WRONG! The first group just turned around and went back out again in the second group, so they ended up getting two practices, shrug the shoulders…….. We’ll know the next time……….only at Aintree.
The session went well but it was obvious Alex was having problems picking breaking points, the track is one of the fastest in the country but it dose lack markers, playing into the hands of the local lads. That was OK as Alex is learning all the time, on the subject of “Local Lads” in the SS600’s it must be Dave Bath, Russ Mountford and Matt Maguire as the lads to beat, with I would say Dave as King.
SuperBike Heat
First up for Alex was the qualifying heat for the “Superbike” Final.
This class is for anything from 500 cc to 1300cc bikes, anything goes and the entry was so big it had to be put into two heats for aplace in the final, the weapon of choice seems to be Yamaha R1’S however all makes of bike participated, even the mighty ex BSB Ducati 999 of Mike Walker.
Must admit to not knowing much about this class here as at the moment, it is of no interest to us, but going by “Finishing” order local experts include Mike on the Ducati, Simon Vickers and Mark Chapman on their Gixer thou’s, Antony Jones, Tony Rainford, Aly Croft on Yamaha R1’s and Lance Cronshaw on a ZX10.
The top 18 riders from both heats would make the final, Would Alex on his GSXR 600 make the cut? I am being honest with you before he raced although hopeful we did not have a clue.
Again grid slots for the race were drawn from a bag. Alex drew “15” right in the middle of the grid of 32 bikes.
As they lined up on the grid and the lights went out; the noise was tremendous! It was hard to see from my vantage point where Alex slotted in as the group rounded the first corner and my attention went to the commentator but no mention of Alex’ name, it seemed like a long wait until the bikes appeared on the back straight the first vantage point available to get a fix on positions.
1,2,3,…….4,5,…..6, 7, 8!
Alex had made it up to 8th place and took another before disappearing behind the trees. As they reappeared round “Club Corner” Alex was in 6th, as the bikes passed for the first time the noise was like thunder and the speed they passed was astounding. I Couldn’t believe Alex was making ground in this class and by the next lap 5th…… then 3rd …….then second, astounding!
Miles out front Greg Lewis took the win with Alex finishing second. Alex was in the “Super Bike” final.
SuperSport 600 Qualifier
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Is he really that tired or is he getting in the “ZONE”? |
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Not long after that it was the 600 Super Sport Qualifier for grid position in the final, with the positions drawn from a hat, a “Beaming” Alex had drawn “2” and as they lined up on the grid it became apparent this was going to be another very exciting race!
In “pole” Matt Maguire, 4th Russ Mountford, 5th Dave Bath. I could not believe it, what must be the top 4 riders (if you count our Alex) together at the front of the pack!
As they came round to complete lap one, Russ leads from Alex bit of a gap to Matt and Dave.
Lap two and Russ and Alex cross the line as one, Dave has overtaken Matt but the pair were still very much together.
Laps three and four the riders held their station perhaps Dave was starting to close a bit on the leading pair, as the four disappeared round “Country Corner” on the last lap my heart was pounding!
Could Alex win his first 600 race at Aintree?
As they reappeared down the back straight Alex……….but No Russ, he must have crashed. This left Alex a bit of a gap to a hard charging Dave Bath but surely even he could not make up the ground Alex had as a lead?
As they rounded “Club” Yes! YES! Alex still had it, then the noise of a bike scraping along the floor Dave had come off, he had hit a dirty patch on the track and the front wheel slipped from under him!
Leaving second slot to Matt with Pete Whiteside taking 3rd. Russ finished in 5th, a little excursion onto the grass at “Beechers” lost him an “almost” certain 2nd.
The second half of the day was to be after lunch, and believe me when I said his bike was checked over and cleaned I don’t know how many times!
There was going to be no mistakes on our part!
Here we must also thank; YPE for the sterling job they had done on Alex’ engine, dare I say? We are getting very close with the bike now it has taken longer than I wanted but I am glad to say it is coming together.
SuperBike Final
Again first up after lunch and it was into the Final of “Superbikes” the winners of both heats, taking respective places on the grid……….Now is this where Alex gets his arse kicked?
In Pole Antony Jones Yamaha R1. 2nd Mike Walker Ducati 999. 3rd Greg Lewis Yamaha R1 and (you’ve got to wonder?) Making up the front row…..Our Alex on his Suzuki GSXR 600.
Behind them another 32 bikes all wanting to be first into that first corner. As the lights went out a deafening ROAR! I am sure the Earth moves! 36 Bikes even if you average out the Horse Power that’s about 6,000 Horse power released at the same time, if the earth don’t move? Your ear drums certainly do and your pulse races!
It was again difficult to see as they entered the first corner, if Alex had got swamped by the bigger bikes? Not a bit of it, he re-appeared flying down the back straight in FORTH!
“CUM OWN THE WEE MAN!”
I am sure you will guess by this time I’m about to have a seizure! It just got better; the front three while jostling for position were pulling Alex down the straights in their slipstream and Alex was making up ground going round the corners on his nimbler bike.
On lap 5 Antony Jones must have out-braked himself going into Club as I seen him disappear up the escape road, promoting Alex to 3rd (Yee Haw!) it stayed that way until the last lap, Alex had pushed that little bit harder and as they reappeared on the back straight Alex’ bike was right on the tail of Greg Lewis’s R1.
To say the engine in Alex’ bike was screaming would be an understatement, as they went for the brakes the two disappeared out of sight side by side; my Heart was about to burst!
Alex came round the corner in front of Greg, Go, GO, GO……………YESSSS as they crossed the line Alex took second place on his 600! .................. .......in the Super Bike Final!
SuperSport 600 Final
We had just time to prepare for the SS600 final, Disappointment for David Bath although he had managed to re-build the bike after the crash unfortunately for him a sensor in the engine had been damaged and Dave could take no further part in the days proceedings.
There was still plenty opposition for Alex however as he lined up along side Matt, Pete and Andy with Russ just behind on row 2.
This time Alex never put a foot wrong from the start with the front wheel in the air as he accelerated in 1st gear then 2nd gear, it was straight into the lead with Russ, Matt & Pete in hot pursuit.
A stunning race leading from start to finish which is very difficult to do with no one to judge pace from, seen Alex cross the line 2.5 seconds in front of Russ with Matt taking a very close 3rd!
Dramatic racing again from a striking location; well done to every one who made the day so enjoyable.
As all Aintree meetings take place on Saturday, it was then all packed-up and on the road to Knockhill for Sundays Race.
The Next round of the Scottish “600 Super Sport” Championship!
Thanks for all your support.
Alex Gault - “Senior
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