Race Report for the Frittenden Flyer 31st August

This year’s Frittenden Flyer was run on the unusual triangle circuit. It's a "thinking" mans racetrack, with the first two corners that can almost be made into one big sweeping bend. Then comes the very tight pits bend, that can, and did catch some riders out. Would new sensation in the 250cc class Georgie Wood, with his wide riding, on the stop style of racing be able to cope with the tight paddock bend? Well, the answer was soon very clear. Yes he would. After losing out in his first heat to former British champion and great rival Lee Street, Georgie was then unbeaten for the rest of the meeting. Not always the quickest out the start, he soon flew passed all his rivals to win over the 3 legs.

In the 350cc Solo class it was local man Matt Etherington absolutely flying who took the honours, although hard pressed in the heats by Mark Giles & grass returnee Nathan Irwin. But once he got to the front there was no stopping this 350 specialist.

Martyn Sturgeon took the 500cc honours with a faultless display, and never really looked under any real pressure, although Vince Kinchin was trying as hard as ever to catch the flying Sturgeon. Always right on Sturgeons rear wheel, but Vince could not find that little bit extra to pass Sturgeon.

As per normal at a South East meeting, there was plenty of LH Sidecars on show and with two new crews this year of Charlie Ridley/Steve Bowles and former Quad man Paul Marley/Nick Barker proving to be very competitive already in the class. Paul Marley is looking very quick indeed, already having won a few heats, and surely Charlie Ridley will follow his lead before the end of the year. This season is being dominated by another returnee to the sport in Dave Penfold. He and his young nephew Will Penfold battle hard all day, with Will taking the fight in their first heat when Dave got the paddock bend all wrong.

The meeting was marred by a horrific looking crash in the LH Sidecar class, when Andy Pack's outfit went into the ropes and turned over going into the crowd after losing his passenger Dave Williams exiting turn two. Pack caught a dip exiting the turn which through Williams into the path of Danny Holman. How Holman managed to miss the stricken Williams will remain a mystery. Pack tried his best to avoid the ropes, but LH Sidecars do not turn left without a passenger. Within seconds, there was total carnage, with spectators scattering in all directions to try and avoid the speeding outfit. Several spectators were taken to hospital, but only minor injuries were the end result. Just a reminder to how dangerous this beloved sport can be.

Dave Penfold/Richard Webb took the final, but only after Will Penfold did a complete 360 degree spin on lap two when closing rapidly on his Uncle Dave. This left Dave clear in front with the two new crews of Paul Marley/Nick Barker & Charlie Ridley/Steve Bowles taking the other two podium places.

After a long delay, it was decided to run just the finals, so as to end the meeting on a more positive note. Chris Mackett had dominated the Upright class all day, and the final went the same way. He was followed home by local men Robin Pilcher and Brian Cornelius.

 Rob Wilson's passenger Terry Saunters borrowed one of Rob's bikes and had a go on the bars. And he took to it like a duck to water. So look out Mr Wilson, you could be looking for another passenger if you're not careful. After some good rides in the early heats,Simon Beaney/Dave Vidler qualified for the final after winning the B Final, all be-it after new crew of John Morris/Tony Heath were excluded from their B Final win for overtaking Saunters on the inside of the track markers. This is certainly a crew to look out for in the future. Having only their second meeting, and looking very quick on the ex Ray Westbrook outfit.

Mark Warren/Kevin Woodley and John Hiscock/Carl Bell looked to be the favourites for the RH Final after some good rides in the heats, but it was veteran Pete Colvin with son Steve in the chair who got the drop in the first bend from the fast gating Terry Saunters. Hard luck story of the final had to go to Warren/Woodley, after getting knocked about from all sides coming off the line, which took away their race hopes. But a well deserved win for the Colvin crew.

Race Results click HERE