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Junior Racing Association Championship Round 2
 The second round in this championship seen a return to the home of junior racing the Three Sisters circuit near Wigan, since its start back in 1991 the championship had been based here until last year when it moved to Darley Moore, Although a round of this years championship has already taken place at the Ty-croes circuit on Anglesey, this was the first round to see the return of junior racing to Three Sisters plus it could not have been better, the Preston and District club who host the JRA races are "under new management" as they say and what a turnaround from last years somewhat depleted grids to a paddock and grids brimming over, although still finding their feet the meeting was very well ran and we think a great success.
Another land mark of the day seen "Garry Gardiner" celebrated 20 years of commentating at Preston and District meetings and if you have every heard Garry you will know what I mean when I say it is touch and go between him and another famous commentator Murray Walker for enthusiasm when commentating on racing. Congratulations Garry and here's to the next twenty.
As far as the racing goes? What a day! Full grids in every class, again fantastic weather and fantastic racing. In the Junior Racing Associations races Alex again lead the field on his 125 Gp bike behind him an old adversary from Minimoto "Lee Vernon" on his 125 Gp bike made a return to the JRA after missing the first round to take 2nd place on the day and a simply stunning ride from Alex Heaton on his 125 production Aprilia taking 3rd and first production bike home after a close fought battle with Jack Drummond on another Aprilia., Matt Hoyle lead the formula 80's home from Aaron Easter on the Rieju Matrix and James Folkard on a Derbi.
Along side the JRA races Alex also contends the Open Singles Class and the up too 500cc open class, this class is for any bike up to 500cc and although Alex has very little chance of winning it provides a great opportunity for him to learn from some would say the old masters (Sorry Steve). In the first race "the trophy race" Alex was drawn 18th on the grid and in a very exciting 7 laps he made his way up into 4th place by the end with Steve O'Brian taking the win.
In the second race for this class "the Points race" Alex started on the grid from his finishing position in the trophy race which gave him an easier time of it, as he had commented from the first race "These guys are off their heads" (that's the cleaned up version). He amazingly took the lead on lap 4 and the clear track was all he needed to stretch a lead of 9 seconds from a tight pack Steve, Simon Griffiths and Andy Burgin all separated by less than a second as they crossed the finish line.
The Open Singles races is always going to be a challenge, the usual culprits (if that's the word), were all in attendance, but missing from the grid was last years champion and winner if the first round Joel Morris, but an equally strong threat came in the shape of Ciaran Perucca, Ciaran and Alex go way back and have had many great races together on Minimoto's, Ciaran has been having a fantastic season being accepted into the ACU Academy for promising youngsters and challenging for the front slots at every meeting this year, indeed if you cast your mind back a few weeks to Alex's escapades at Cadwell Park, Cairan dominated Sundays racing there..
This was the first time the two were to meet on the Gp bikes. Now in all fairness to Ciaran, Alex has a lot more time on this track. Charlie Fazackerly is another old hand round this track (very old) Garry Gardiner commented that back in the 80's Charlie used to ride his road bike to the circuit take the number plates off it, race it, put the number plates back on it and ride it home with the trophies in the top box!
He must wonder about these youngsters challenging for his crown. In the trophy race almost immediately it was these three in the lead Cairan, Charlie and Alex, In an exceptional 7 laps Alex not only took the win but also set the fastest lap of the day (unconfirmed) at 57.3 seconds finishing 12 seconds in front of Charlie and 16 seconds in front of Cairan.
The Points race was a different story however, after a bad start from "pole position" Alex was sitting in third he overtook Charlie on the outside going over Cowards summit, passed Cairan going round paddock bend only to fall off at the hairpin on the first lap "DOH…P" that was that, Cairan took the win despite a strong race long challenge from Charlie.
Another brilliant meeting thanks too all who make these meetings possible, you all know who you are, and a special thanks to Jerry Stacey who as well as giving Alex a loan of the bike has just sent him some tyres, which comes right on time as Last year I got away with only buying two sets, Alex has already "done in" two sets this year! And big BIG! Thanks to Gary Newsham, "Official Photographer to Alex Gault Racing?" for the fantastic pictures of Alex, these are really appreciated, Great Job!
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