Junior Road Race LCRRC round 1

LCRRC Three Sisters, Round 1

Thankfully, a gorgeous day greeted the competitors for this opening round, in itself, unusual for early April in Wigan.

If you are not familar with the LCRRC, this is the hotbed of up and coming UK talent, with the vast majority of the up and coming young [125GP] riders cutting their teeth on the GP50cc & GP70cc machines, usually after a spell on mini moto.

Also at this round, for the first time, was Lucky Devils with their MinimotoGP series, sharing track time.

Classes kicked off with mini moto, and the Junior class provided plenty of thrills, with some of these riders as young as six.

Up front, literally swapping paint were Calton Hagreaves and Harry Hartley (the reigning MinimotoGP champion, who is racing in Italy later this year).

Hagreaves came out on top with two race wins over Harry, second and third was also close fought, with Sam Bahnda eventually coming out on top, over Jake Archer.

Next up were the 4.2hp lights/heavies, the lights being pretty well dominated by Matt Sowden (suffering from Cystic Fibrosis, an inspiration for sure), with Harley Harrison, Lee Duerden and Jack Drinkwater battling out for the remaining podium places, in the end it was Duerden, then Drinkwater.

The heavies saw the “old school” showing how it’s done, the racing being just as close. Mark Barber, Mick Spencer taking first and second, but new boy, Andy Hilton took third at his first meeting.

It was also nice to see Kenny Roberts on the grid, from Padiham that is

The Production lights/heavies were next, and fireworks are usually the order of the day, but it was about the new guys. Darryl Harrison totally dominating, even though he was pushed hard by second place man, Harry Hartley and third place girl Jade Spencer.

The heavies saw reigning British Champion, Chris Martin make a clean sweep, chased all the way and passed occasionally by second place man, Mark Woof. Grant Villette, visiting from the SEMRC Championship came home third, on a borrowed Polini.

The superb Jawa GP50 Auto class, saw the first two races won by Bob Varey, who did very well in the winter series, his third place in race three was enough to secure first overall.

Joe Ravenscroft, seemed to simply get faster and faster all day, but Carlton Hagreaves was Varey’s biggest threat, but a DNF relegated Hargreaves to third, while a third, second and a win was enough for Ravenscroft to take second overall.

The mixed GP70 Rookie and Senio grid, saw some great action from the youngest of the GP70 class riders, in the end Aaron Murray totally dominated, with Luke Thackerey second, and Cory Smith third.

The seniors was won by Andrew Asher from Ron Dutton.

The GP70 Junior class was simply breathtaking, with a constant four man freight-train swapping position almost coner by corner.

With two race wins and a third, Adam Robinson came out top dog, chased down hard by Kieran Sturley, who was also a race winner. Third overall went to a very on form Jamie Thackerey, who in turn was chased had by current EMRA GP70 leader, Connor Tagg.

Next up were the “supermoto” guys, well, supermoto pit bikes, and a suprisingly good grid started off the season, for a mid-week meeting.

Mark Woof was again top dog in the Cat A class (125cc), fresh from his SEMRC victory a week or so before.

Paul Parkin was up there in second place, Paul having started to come really good in 2006. Third was Adrian Hamilton.

The Category B class, saw reigning champ, Kenny Owen take three straight wins, with his team mate, Mick Brierly second and Dave Millington third.

It’s great to see this fast, cheap and fun class on the up again, lot’s of close action for a few hundred quid.

Finally, the Conti Cup UK, part of a worldwide race series, using full GP50cc machiney, all running to the same reg’s.

Past UK champions, include Scott Redding and Luke Mossey, and this looks like being the best year yet.

The grid was impressive in size, and the racing had spectators screaming from the sidelines, so close was the action, from first down to the last rider.

James White came home eventual winner, with a third, first and second. James was chased down for literally every inch of tarmac, with Tom Carne shocking everybody after switching from the V2 machine to the V3 only a matter of days before.

Connor Tagg managed to get a race win, but so hot was the action that his reward was third overall, fourth place man, Jamie Thackerey also won a race, race one, but it wasn’t enough overall.

This is going to be a cracker of a season.

See www.phoenix-minimoto-racing for more information.