Thundersprint 2010 - The Races

The last notes of the national anthem died away to be replaced by the cheers of the thousands of spectators lining the Thundersprint circuit. The Cavalcade had been great; the Spitfire awesome - but now it was time for the action.

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire opened the proceedings.

The Thundersprint track is laid out in Northwich’s main car park and although tiny, at just 447 yards, it is a superb little race circuit thanks to the care and attention given to it by Cheshire West and Chester Council – and it’s much more difficult than it looks from the grandstands.

Six times World Champion Jim Redman has seen a race meeting or two in his time and he said: “The Thundersprint track is a lot better, and harder, to ride than it ought to be. You would never think that a track laid out in a town centre car park would be a challenging ride but, believe me, it is!

“It demands respect too. The safety precautions are first class at the Thundersprint but no-one is going to give you a prize for parking a very valuable Honda half way up a tree!”

Not that caution seemed high on Jim’s mind as he launched Clive Brooker’s ex-works Moto Martin Honda off the line, with all the enthusiasm of an 18 year old racer in his first Grand Prix season.

Six times World Champion Jim Redman was in immaculate form on Clive Brooker’s Moto Martin Honda

Sammy Miller was firmly in the hunt too with his wailing Honda RC181 replica.

The battle between Jim, Sammy and Tony Hudson, on another Honda, went on for all three runs with the result going just against Jim.

In the pre-event Press Conference, a relaxed Chris Walker was at pains to point out that he was only at the Thundersprint for a bit of fun - a wheelie or two, maybe a burn-out and then wave to the crowd.

Then “The Stalker” rolled up to the line on his race prepped Norton 961 and the bellow of the mighty twin bounced off the spectator banking, bringing tears to the eyes of those who remembered the glory days of Norton racing.

With his head down, shoulders forward and the Norton balanced on the toes of his boots anyone who thought that Chris was here to do demo runs was going to be sorely disappointed.

The Norton’s rear tyre smoked, the front wheel hovered just off the ground - and “The Stalker” left the line like a ground to air missile. 21.87 seconds later, Chris had recorded the first ever race win for the new Norton - an incredible achievement for a brand new motorcycle which has never before seen a race track.

Proving that at least some journalists can ride as well as they write, Paul Blezard hustled his monster BMW GS 1200 into second place beating all action French star Philippe Hanus by just two tenths of a second

Phil Hanus made the long trip from Arras, in France, to launch his mighty 1300cc Honda round the tight Thundersprint track.

BBC TV’s MotoGP commentator, Steve Parrish, entertained the crowds with some stylish riding whilst current GP star, Danny Webb had the spectators - especially the ladies - shrieking as he parked the Millenium Motorcycles’ Aprilia outside the main grandstand and threw his boots and gloves into the crowd.

The only complaints were from the teenage girls who wanted to see more. More of what, we’re not sure!

The sidecar class was split into traditional “Big Wheel” outfits and the more modern “Kneelers”. Moz Baines and Peter Jordan slid, scrambled and screamed their Norton outfit to the “Big Wheel” win whilst Graham Hilditch and Tony Dalton, on their much more modern “Kneeler” Weslake, took the smooth and elegant path to victory.

Geoff Lewis and Ian Cargill were sponsored for the day by sidecar racer, Paul Bateman, the man behind local, Cheshire, company Cestrian Signs.

The Pre-War bikes are firm favourites with the crowd and Grandfather Robert Rushton was fastest on his magnificent Rudge. Remember the Rushton name: it’s not the last time you will read it in this report.

Pete Livesey was the fastest 350 on his Velo whilst Thundersprint regular Cyril Watson took the 250cc class honours. But the loudest cheers were for Graeme Hardy, better known as the immortal “Forge Formby”, for his hugely entertaining runs on the Shuttleworth Snap.

Graham Hardy and his faithful mechanic Jeremy prepare for their win in the Pre-War class

If Forge” was the entertainment then the performance of Oliver Presswood was a masterly demonstration of riding a classic bike very quickly. Oliver was the best 500 in the Golden Age class and the fastest overall whilst Steve Clark wrestled the mighty 760 Tribsa round the tight track for the best Unlimited title.

A quick change from passengering Moz Baines saw Peter Jordan in action on his immaculate, home tuned, 250 Royal Enfield. Peter was breathtaking and pulled over a second clear of Honda exponents Dan Leatherland and Peter Cuckson.

There was a real buzz of anticipation when the Classic 350 class rolled down to the starting area with two of the very best Thundersprint specialists going head to head. Honours went to Jaeson Caunce with an astonishing time of 21.71 seconds but MV Agusta exponent Jerry Ashton chased the Preston rider all the way on his booming MV twin.

It was another Europe versus Japan battle in the Classic 500 class. This time, it was Howard Ostle and his B.50 BSA who beat the hard charging Malcolm Jeavons and his gorgeous RC181 replica Honda.

Jaeson Caunce was spectacular on his home built Honda

Remember the Rushton name? The Classic Unlimited class saw Robert’s son, Paul simply annihilate the opposition with a two second advantage over Robert Wittey who was riding sponsor Alex Aitchison’s Honda Endurance racer. But hang on to the Rushton patronym - there’s still more to come.

If the booming heavyweights shook the grandstands lining Cheshire West and Chester Council’s car park, the roofs were rattled by the scream of the lightweights. Dave Edwards dominated the 125 class on his truly beautiful TA125 Yamaha whilst German Joerg Trautvetter made the 800 mile journey to win the 150 class.

Phil Bootherstone proved that Meriden made lightweights just as fast as the more famous big twins with a well earned win on his ex-works Triumph Cub.

The screaming 50s are always popular at the Thundersprint and it was good to see Ultra Lightweight expert Chris Alty back on his exotic factory Van Veen Kreidler.

But Chris didn’t have it all his own way being chased hard by Honda men Raymond Dennerley and Kevin Theobold.

Rushton: heard the name before in the Thundersprint results? Well, this time it was Harley, the youngest of the Rushton dynasty, who absolutely destroyed the opposition in the, new for 2010, “Modern Classics” class. The teenager screamed his baby Aprilia through the turns and twists of the tight track to take the best 125 - and fastest time in the class.

The Thundersprint’s most winning family! Jim Redman smiles as Grandad Robert hangs on to his trophy next to Grandson Harley, encouraged by Chris Walker, whilst Dad Paul looks on delighted.

Pete Wilson took the 250 honours on his Yamaha TZ Grand Prix machine whilst Ian Webb was the fastest 500 on his Honda.

And completing what had been a packed four and a half hours of non-stop racing Scott Leven took the best unlimited prize on a 600 Suzuki so beautiful it should be on show in an art gallery.

Spirit of the Thundersprint – Oliver Presswood and his iconic Velocette

Race Director, Eddie Nelson, who is responsible for the racing element of the Thundersprint with his Darley Moor Club said: “It’s been a great day and all the team have had a fantastic time. The racing has been superb and we’ve enjoyed seeing some incredible bikes in action.

“We’ll be back next year for sure!”

Beautiful weather, an appreciative audience who stayed right until the last run, and close fought racing showcased an eclectic range of racing bikes from all over the world.

There wasn’t anything more that riders, or spectators, could have asked of Thundersprint 2010.

Steve Parrish, Danny Webb and Chris Walker bring a great day to a spectacular end 

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