Circulates throughout the world Established 1903

Still flawless

The Bonhams British Historic GP championship headed for Cadwell Park on the weekend of 22-23 May, as the increasingly popular series supported the British Superbike Championship at Lincolnshire’s undulating and historic circuit.

Cadwell is a huge favourite with riders and fans alike and there was a large crowd enjoying the late May sunshine. It gave the competing riders the opportunity to perform in front of a crowd that perhaps wouldn’t normally see them race – and also the TV cameras, as the first race was recorded and shown on Eurosport.

The three by three start grid was headed by Glen English, who so far this season has been in imperious form on the newly built Works Racing Norton 30M. Prior to Cadwell, Glen had four wins from four starts, good going for what is an essentially brand new motorcycle, built by the Patrick Walker/Miles Robinson team, with input from Fred Walmsley. There was a strong cast determined to stop Glen having it all his own way, with the Manx of Lee Moore second on the grid, third Mark Parrett (G50), fourth Mike Russell, fifth Ian Bain and sixth Stuart Tongue (all Manx) all in contention.

Leading 350cc class runner Andy Molnar heading row three, where he was joined by Andy Reynolds’ 500cc Manx and Tim Jackson’s 350cc AJS 7R.

Lee Moore got a flyer of a start, leading off English and Russell, with the front three quickly establishing a gap from Bain, Fitchett and Parrett, who had endured a tough qualifying, managing only one lap of practice after his magneto packed up. It’d been changed for race day, but he’d had significantly less track time than the other front runners. From the start, lead 350cc runner was fast starting Tim Jackson, who was as high as seventh early on, well ahead of his class opposition and among some of the quicker 500s. On lap two, Russell passed second place English and leader Moore in one move, with English soon finding his way past Moore too. Indeed, Russell and English soon moved away from Moore, who was suffering a few grip issues, as his rear tyre went off.

Meanwhile, in the 350cc class new boy Andrew Taylor was flying through the field on the 350cc AJS 7R used by Colin Dally to win last year’s championship. Bought from Fred Walmsley, the 7R, with Taylor aboard, was putting in lap times many 500cc riders would be proud of and soon found his way past Andy Molnar (Manx), who had earlier passed Jackson, into the 350cc class lead.

At the front Russell was looking strong but Glen English was looming ominously and then, on the final lap, really put his head down, recording a stunning lap time and also finding time to pass Russell into Park too. Over the Mountain, the front wheel of the Works Norton pawed the air, with English wasting no time scything through back markers either. Russell hung on gamely, but English kept on pushing, to make it five wins out of five.

Race two worked out very much the same. Again, the front three of English, Russell and Moore set off at a cracking pace, while in the 350cc class Molnar made the holeshot, running among the second wave of 500s. Up front, the lead three circulated in fine fashion until the sixth and final lap (race distance was shortened from seven to six laps for both races after a crash in the Superstock 600 at Barn corner left the circuit with an oil spill) when Russell forced his way past at Park – but somehow, English responded and edged ahead at the bottom of the hill at Mansfield, not really a recognised passing place and a move that required a fair amount of bravery...Glen was then able to hang on and rack up a cool half dozen wins for the Works Norton, continuing its 100 per cent record. Russell was second, Moore again third.

In the 350cc class, Taylor demonstrated real pace, passing Molnar and really setting about the 500s with vigour. Eventually, he finished eighth overall, a notable achievement and one which marks him out as a real contender for 350cc class honours. Second 350cc runner home was Jackson, third Molnar, finished ninth and 10th overall respectively.

Next round was at Silverstone on 12-13 June (there’ll be a report next time) while after that comes another meeting at Cadwell Park (26-27 June) then it’s 6/7/8 August at Brands Hatch.

Words by James Robinson
Photography by Tony Beck/Richard Adams