Alex Gault - CB500 Cup Round 3 - May 2006

This round took place at the awesome Oulton park circuit in Cheshire without doubt one of the best circuits in the UK although the weather forecasters had got it spot on torrential overnight rain and sporadic showers throughout the day made for another uncertain outcome.

New Era the organisers, appear to be falling foul of their own success as the meeting was over subscribed which meant the CB’s were to share their race with “Super Motards” it seems to be a trend now to mix classes in the same race but with a staggered start, so more bikes can be on track at the same time.

That isn’t so bad but when championship contenders don’t get a race because there entry was a bit late as happened to young Sam Parry who had been sitting in 3rd position, it sheds a different light on things.

To explain, every track has a set number of bikes which are allowed to start a race, at Oulton I think the number is 40, so when the organisers mix grids any bike outside the set number is excluded from the start. So although there were 28 CB’s and 17 Motards out in practice, 5 reserves couldn’t get a race. Now that didn’t affect us but devastating to those who didn’t get a race.

Timed Qualifying took place at 10.15 on a very wet track, quite a sight, a mix of CB’s and KTM super Motards all trying to get the fastest time in the 5 laps available to them, quite astonishing when you consider the difference in bikes that the lap times were so similar.

It was planned; that as this was the first time the bikes had shared the same grid, after qualifying the organisers would decide which class would lead away from the start. It turned out a very difficult decision, as fastest was the KTM off Dave Heal an ex British Super Sport champion who has now moved to Motard racing, then two CB’s Alex and Jamie, 4th Simon Powell on a KTM, the 2 CB’s of Chris Pickersgill and Aaron Easter, the KTM of Nick Hobden and the CB of Errol Ahmet and it was like that right down the list.

Only the shear numbers of CB’s played against them when it was averaged out, giving the Motards the first start in the days racing.

Race 1 as the Motards lined up in front of the CB grid Alex took pole with young Jamie Hamilton 2nd with Chris and Aaron making up the front row. The SuperMotards set off 22 seconds before the CB’s were let lose and another leisurely start from Alex kept us on our toes until we heard the Commentator “Garry Gardiner” announce Alex had taken the lead as the CB’s entered Cascades as they came back into sight I saw a 14 carriage freight train of CB’s Alex, Jamie, Paul and Errol, Azman had had one of his leisurely 1st laps falling down the placings to 7th they passed so quickly but I did pick out Andy Bainbridge down it 10th Obviously paying for the Drinking session with me the night before (well he was the leading adult in the championship! My plan looked to be working perfectly!).

Then disaster for young Jamie as they left Cascades he lost the back end and fell to the floor, right in front of Eroll Ahmet leaving him no option than to grab a handful of brake and seen him crashing out of the race as well, how unlucky can this lad be?

He’ll come good, as he has already shown some excellent form but has only finished one race so far.

Alex stayed at the front to win the CB Class but more impressive was the fact he caught up with the KTM’s and finished 8th on the track setting the fastest overall lap of the race. I know this is a lot of “speculation” pronounced “CRAP” but looking at the time sheets Alex would have beaten the winner of the KTM race Dave Heal by 6 seconds if both had set of at the same time.

Behind a fantastic dice between Chris Pickergill and Paul Russo for 2nd and 3rd places with Aaron Easter picking up the pace to finish just off the podium in 4th.

In the break between races the rain stopped and the track began to dry, now not enough for us to take off the wet tyres, just enough for us to start deliberating whether or not to change set-up.

Now we were hopping for it to be dry at Oulton as a challenge to get under a 2 min lap on the CB had been set, but as it happens I’m lazy and was happy when it started to rain again! This took away the possibility of me making a wrong choice on set-up. There’s always round 6 when we return in July!

Race 2 held again in the wet if not a bit worse than the first race a stunning first lap from Barry Rudge seen him come through on the first lap up in 3rd position with Alex in first fending of a strong challenge from Paul Russo who I think will turn out to be a serious contender for the championship. Then Jamie and Aaron having a dice for 4th spot.

Now I didn’t see what happened to Barry but on the second lap he had dropped 13 places, up front still Alex but young Jamie was on a charge passing Paul for second spot.

Chris Pickersgill was intent on repeating his performance in the first race as he had passed Aaron and was catching Paul. Next time round and Jaime had “the bit between his teeth” obviously trying to make up for the crash in race 1, it looked like he was catching Alex but a big crash by Jamie as he entered “Old hall Corner” brought out the red flags and the race was stopped with positions going back when they crossed the finish line 1st Alex, 2nd Paul, 3rd Chris and 4th Aaron neither of these two having the time to get further up the field due to the stoppage.

Although the race was stopped I am pleased to say Jaime was unhurt just “%@”£^” disappointed!

Thanks go out to every one that helped it was good to get a visit from Steven Thompson who along with Geoff won the CB Cup back in 2002, we also had a brief encounter with Fellow MAGSPORT team mate Mark Castle “Brief” being the word, who was at Oulton racing his RVF 400 and meeting up with Garry Newsham who knows Alex from his JRA days.

So after round 3 Alex still maintains his unbeaten record and the very unofficial points and top 5 positions are:

Alex Gault ……………....150
Chris Pickergill ………….. 72
Andy Baibridge …………...68
Aaron Easter .………….....64
Paul Russo ………...........62

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