BHR Mallory park 2012

BHR held their traditional opener at Mallory in sunny but cold conditions.  Andy's bike wasn't ready but Stu was optimistic after a good test session, apart from the crash, a month earlier. However, as is so often the case, a good test day didn't guarantee a good race day.

The first outing was 250 specials and it was immediately clear that the bike wasn't on song. After a poor start Stu was battling with Rod Grahams Ducati for third, close behind the leaders, Ade Armson (Cotton Telstar) and Ian Cramp (Greeves Special). Rod made a rather desperate lunge to pass Ian at Shaw's hairpin and T boned Ade. Stu emerged from the melee in the lead but the race was red flagged and the result taken from the previous lap and Stu was credited with third.

In the second race, Ducati and Bantams championships, the problem with the bike became apparent, the gearbox was jumping out of second gear. This is a real handicap at Mallory with three sections requiring a second gear exit. Despite this, a rather sparse Ducati grid meant that Stu took a comfortable win from Bob Millinship (250 Ducati) and Tim White (472 Ducati) but had a good battle with Ian Scutt's indecently quick water cooled Bantam. Stu took the outright win only on the last lap.

 

 

 

 

 

Stu and Ian Scutt

Due to the gearbox problem, that was the end of racing for the day for Stu.

Not the best start to a season but the gearbox has now been rebuilt with some new bits
(thanks to Rod Graham) and both Steelcraft 250s should be ready for the Ducati Club Races at Assen on the 12/13 May.