JAMES CLAMP - RACE REPORT JUNE 2001

 On the weekend of 23rd /24th of June we travelled to Cadwell Park for rounds three and four of the extremely competitive New ERA Superclub championship.   The prize of a 2002 Honda CBR600, which will be presented to the highest placed Honda rider in the championship, drew a large number of top club racers hoping to gain points.

Saturday, race 1 - Grid position 36 out of 40 was a little disheartening but I remembered how quick the light changed here and I got a good start.  By the first corner I had made up five places.  Running for the first time on Pirelli Dragon Super Corsa tyres, I felt very confident and over the next seven laps I battled my way to 21st place beating my previous best lap time by four seconds.  Race one would prove to be the only 600cc race to go the full distance, with the class living up to its nickname of 'Wacky Races'.

Saturday, race 2 - For this race I was on grid 21 but  I made a hash of the start and lost several places.  As I raced around the circuit I witnessed a few crashes, some too close for comfort.  The race was 'Red Flagged' after five laps and I had managed to claw my way back to 24th place.

Sunday, race 1 - I found myself on grid 36 again wondering who I'd upset to deserve such lowly positions.  I managed a good start but at the first corner I had to take avoiding action as a rider in front of me high-sided and the adjacent riders scattered to the four winds.  Once the dust had settled I found myself dead last.  I got my head down and managed to pass several riders but as I came through Charlie's I noticed the red flags being waved and shortly after what looked like a bomb had gone off.  There were bits of plastic and even a big chunk of a sub-frame lying in the track.  I managed to miss the biggest pieces and I coasted back to the start line.  The race was declared after three laps and five minutes of racing!  I was credited with 31st place.

Sunday, race 2 - Back of the grid again, this time in 31st place.  An average start saw me pick up two or three places straight away and I settled down into a battle with an R6.  He would pull away on the straights and I would catch him in the corners.  On lap three I saw my chance to pass him as when he went a wide on the entrance to the left-hander at the bottom of the mountain.  I dived under him but I went in too hot and had to run wide but so did he.  I stayed in front for the right-hander and got good drive up the mountain.  He had to shut off because he pulled a massive wheelie, I didn't and that was the last I saw of him.  The race was 'Red flagged on the 5th lap, I eventually finished 24th.

My next two races are Snetterton on the weekends of 7th/8th and 14th/15th of July.