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Save the best to last! Final Round of the JRA/P&D Championship.
 Well ! With this being the last round of the championship, both Alex and I were feeling the strain. I think it would be fair to say Alex has dominated the JRA 125 GP championship this year, however with him breaking his wrist mid season, one of the nine rounds being cancelled and double points being awarded at the last round Alex could still be beaten.
With three lads capable of taking the title they went into the meeting sitting on, Alex 81, Joel 58, Louise 51. With double points available 1st 30, second 24, third 20 and so on down to 2 for tenth place; all Alex needed to do was finish in 6th place to win. This is when I realised; I was more worried about this than Alex, my thinking? Well to able to finish at least sixth, first you have to finish. Now I don't mind when it's his fault (I can give him a good talking too) But if it's my fault He ballocks me! With both his bikes checked over at least 30 times we set of for the track.
Arriving around 5pm on the Saturday night to give as plenty of time to set up and get the odd drink or two and meet up with another of Alex's sponsors Jerry Stacey who had loaned Alex the bike he has used in the JRA Championship. Jerry was here with his grandson Robert, who won the JRA title about 6/7 years ago. They had come up for the PIER OF WIGAN challenge race between the past JRA Masters and the P&D Club Champions which was to take place as races 9 and 23 on the Sunday. Also arriving on the Saturday night, Stephane Castille (Alex's Mechanic) he too was offered a drink, but not before checking Alex's bikes over another 30 times!
Now the forecast was for more terrible weather, awaking Sunday morning was dry but you could feel that the rain was not to far away!
Now I said at the start save the best till last. This referred to Alex, if you read my reports you will know I don't over praise him, I couldn't in this report! He was Stunning! Never put a foot wrong all day! Score card
Race 1 - 1st , Fastest Lap.
Race 4 - 2nd , Fastest Lap. 
Race 9 - 4th .
Race 11 - 1st , Fastest Lap.
Race 13 – 1st , Fastest Lap.
Race 16 – 1st , Fastest Lap.
Race 21 – 1st , Fastest Lap.
Race 23 – 2nd .
Race 1 The JRA Trophy race.
The track was still dry for this one and with the grid positions being pulled out of the hat; Alex drew pole, was this to be an omen for the rest of the day?
As said before the Junior Racing Associations championship this year has been split into three classes GP 125, Formula 125 and formula 80, it is testament to the level of competition this year as the 16 riders lined up, none of the three titles had been decided as they went into the last round.
This trophy race was going to be a good indication on the riders form for the points race later in the day. As expected Alex got of to a good start and walked home with the win 13 seconds in front of second place man (boy) in the championship Joel Williams, behind him a fantastic battle between Alex Heaton on his Formula bike and Louise Dadge on his GP bike.
Heaton was on it today, he was on for the Formula title win and no one was going to get in his way! This showed in his determination crossing the line a second in front of Dadge. First of the formula 80's was young scouser James Faulkard, I mentioned in a previous report about James and the Derbi team, he has been the man to beat in the F80 class as the season has progressed and championship leader Mat Hoyles' early form has slipped away, third home in the F80 class Anthony Kelly.
Race 4 The Up to 500cc trophy race.
Not so lucky with his grid slot Alex set of from mid pack and in competition like this there is no room for error; there was no error, he fought his way through the pack up front Mal Taylor was away on his Yamaha 250, with Alex pushing hard setting the fastest lap of the race in the process, he managed on the last lap to catch and pass for second place, 250 club champion for the second year running Andy Burgin.
Championship leader Alistair Howarth crashed out on lap 5, which did not bode well for the points race; as if he could repair the damage he would have to start from the back of the grid in the points race.
Race 9 Pier of Wigan Challenge.
This invitation race between the past JRA masters and the Preston & Districts Best brought the two teams together for what looks like going to be an annual event as this inaugural race was very successful. Albeit the JRA masters were under manned with names like James Toseland (Away winning the world super bike title), James Ellison & Chaz Davis racing in Qatar in Moto GP, Midge Smart and Ty Kinton in Spain
(Makes you wonder what their thinking about? Imagine turning down the chance to race against the Preston Team!). Anyway their loss.
Lining up on the JRA team:
Jonathon Woodcock 125 - Alex Barkshire 125 - Matt Cole 125 - Guy Ethrington 250
Matt Gowen 400 - Robert Busher 600 - Dan Brady 600 - Brad Howell 600
Preston line-up:
Louis Dadge 125 - Alex Gault 125 - Alex Heaton 125 - Matt Hoyle 125 - Andy Burgin 250
Jason Caunce 350 - Dave Bowcock 400 - Russ Mountford 600
Now you know when you agree to do something and you don't know all the facts, then realise how stupid it was?
Here Alex was challenging for two championships and now he had to go out in a race with nothing to gain and every thing to lose, to make matters worse he was out on intermediate tyres and it was starting to rain, he was starting from the back of the grid, if anything happened in the race would be able to repair the bike in time for race 11?
If the rain kept up would we have the time to change his tyres?
In a bitter blow to the JRA team young Alex Barkshire was not allowed to race as he had came with slicks on his bike. Now we did offer a set of intermediates to them but quite rightly they refused as Alex is not used to running on these tyres which have a completely different profile to the slicks he is used to, and unfortunately they had set of home before the rain came on, where he could have used the wet tyres he had with him.
Any way the race went ahead and first 6 home were Dave Bowcock, Drad Howell, Andy Burgin, Alex Gault, Jonathon Woodcock and Dan Braddy. Count the points P&D = 33 JRA= 22. It all looked good for the second race latter in the day.
Race 11 Open Single cylinder
With only one race before Alex took to the track again and the rain getting heavier, his mechanics jumped into action with all the grace and speed of a formula one pit crew; Refuelling, changing his tyres and setting up the bike for the wet conditions with time to spare (Sounded better than his mechanics getting fingers caught in drive chains, using big hammers and shouting at each other) Anyway on the grid and I had told him to use his head, the rain was getting heavier, this was only the trophy race, all he needed was to get near the front for a good grid slot in the points race. Don't know why I waste my breath!
He won the race by 6.5 seconds setting the fastest lap from Phil Jackson, Matt Cole, Steve Dawson and Alex's nearest rival for the title Simon Griffiths down in 5th.
Race 13 Junior Championship race
Is it me or am I imagining it? The race of the day and its number “13” Joel Williams lined up next to Alex, his bike is not even moving and it looks a lot faster than Alex's! Did I put petrol in it? Did I switch the petrol on? Excuse me while I have a seizure!
Not Alex however he was well up for it, from the start he shot into the lead and just pulled away, second Joel then Louis, Alex Heaton & Stuart Reece. Now Alex is in the lead, its raining heavier, anything could happen, he's going to fast! (Here comes another seizure for me) I should not have worried he never put a foot wrong.
Behind him it was a different story, in the Formula 125 class Alex Heaton leading Stuart Reece who is sitting second in that championship is a few places behind. When Heatons bike breaks down pulling to the side of the track, the title gone, the disappointment evident.
Stuart has only to finish to become the JRA Formula 125 Champion! It was unbelievable on the next lap Stuart dropped the bike as he entered Paddock bend, with the only other F125 finisher Jamie Hamilton being too far behind on points to challenge, the title reverted back to Heaton.
They are dropping like flies; coming out of lunar Joel Williams lost the front end of his bike in a high speed crash and a sure second place in the GP championship. Louis Dadge who had had a strong race up till now found himself in second place on the track and in the championship standings. In the formula 80's it was again that man (boy) James Falkark a stunning ride seen him come home third overall, it is reported he is off to MRO and Superteen challenge next year (we wish him well) James also won the George Mcdonugh Memorial Trophy, This trophy is awarded every year to the formula 80 class in memory of George who was an ardent supporter of junior racing. Richard Wardle came home second in class with Matt Hoyle coming home third, doing what he needed to do to lift the F80 title.
Race 16 Open up to 500cc championship race.
With Alex sitting in 3 rd place, it would have had to have been some one else's bad luck for him to have improved his position but he certainly could have lost his placing in the championship with a bad result here. Lining up on the front row, Mal, Alex & Andy. Alistair the championship leader on the back row! Starting lights out and their off, Alex got a cracking start and took the lead followed by Andy and Frank Bains Alex, Andy and now Mal who had made his way back to third started to stretch a bit of a lead but behind Alistair Howarth was pushing through the field, a champions ride from him seen Alistair make his way up to third before the finishing flag fell.
Alex was under pressure from Andy Burgin all race a massive push from Andy seen him go a second faster than Alex on the last lap but to no avail as Alex took the win by 0.7 of a second. It is only after the story is told you realise what was going on, With Alex winning Andy got 24 points Alistair who had been leading the championship got 20 for third. Alistair won the championship by 1 point from Andy (No wonder Andy had been pushing hard to try and get by Alex).
Race 21 Open Single Cylinder Championship Race.
As they lined up for this on with Alex on pole, Simon Griffiths who is challenging Alex for this title and had crashed out in the 125 GP race didn't make the grid. Alex only had to finish to win another title but had he noticed? With Matt Cole & Steve Ball along side him on the front row, I knew he would be under pressure. He amazed me again he was stunning in control for the hole race he did have a few “moments” but came home a clear winner from Matt.
Race 23 Pier of Wigan Challenge race Part II.
Here again, last race of the day, it was obvious Alex was enjoying these conditions, no instructions, no suggestions, just go out and enjoy yourself, and he did coming home second overall to Russ Mountford. Now by my counting it looks like the Preston team thrashed the Ex JRA masters, but the results will not be known till the awards ceremony in November.
What an end to a fantastic season, sure we are all cold and soaking wet, but when you look back over the past months there has been a lot more highs than lows, great atmosphere in the paddocks, racing against gentlemen, surrounded by people with a genuine interest in young racers, brilliant! I think that's the last meeting for Alex this year.
We are going to take stock and plan next years campaign. I'd like to thank every one who has helped this year “Stephane” who's help has been invaluable, every one at the JRA & The Preston Club, the Marshals, the Medics and every one he raced with and last but not least, all Alex's Sponsors I hope you consider it worth while.
Alex finished up with another two titles to add to his C.V.
2004 Junior Racing Association 125 GP Champion
2004 P&D Open Singles Club Champion
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