Three Sisters - June 2005

It was good to get back to the circuit Alex raced at last year and meet up with some old faces, some of them very old faces!!! Not many things change a few new hands at the wheel but still the same great atmosphere and organisation.

We were using this as much for some track time as to set up some of the onboard data logging and I must admit that also, the story seamed to be about lap records. Jay “The Vet” Dun had smashed the previous lap record at the meeting before setting I think a 55.4 every one was waiting to see what Alex could do. First race was the 125/250 race with Alex drawing grid position 5 it was not long after the start he took the lead behind “The Vet” who had not been as lucky with his grid slot (20) cut thought he pack and started to close down the gap to Alex, setting a another new lap record with a stunning 54.9 in the process on the lap just before a slight mistake at Joey Dunlop corner seen him crash out handing an easy win to Alex.

Alex rounding Paddock Bend. Thanks to James McCarthy for the picture

The next race for Alex was the Junior class and again good to see that the class was stronger than ever, can't mention every one but Alex Bedford still on the Cagiva was also racing a stunning little 50cc Minarelli with the classics, Chris Lee also racing a 600 and putting Chris and Matt Cole together, How can these two still be Juniors it seems they have been around for ever (Beautiful paint job on Mats Bike), Louis Dadge on Jerry Stacey's bike (the one Alex raced last year) Ashley Cornal, Ritchie Wardle, Benji Sidebottom and a load of new faces made up the full grid. It was also good to see Dona and Steve Dale, their lad Tommy who moved from his ZPF Minimoto through to Conti is now racing a 72cc Jowa.

Any way this is supposed to be a race report not a roll call, “The Vet” hadn't made the race as they were still repairing his bike, it was Louis who made the move to take the early lead with Alex in pursuit, Alex took the win with Louis second and a good ride from Matt secured third palce, First home in the 80cc class Richard Wardle on the Cagiva who had a race long battle with Robert Brown on his Aprilia.

After lunch it was out for the “points” race and our plans were scupperd; sitting on the dummy grid the heavens opened, that was the day over for us we had completed the work we came to do, there was no chance of breaking any records in the rain, only the chance of breaking the bike and with the next round of the British Championships so close we decided to pack-up and headed for home.

Thanks to all the officials & marshals who made it such an enjoyable day, shame about the thunder and lightning but then again there is always the 30/31 July.