Cheshire’s annual meeting came around and it was back to Congleton, only a 45mins drive away from home, I took with me my mate Phil who has recently been helping out in the workshop post meetings especially with engine changes! On arrival we met up with Karl, my nephew Sam and bro who was riding in the 250 class today.

Only 3 500cc sidecars in attendance today, we were lucky to get that after 1 dropped out and Sinead borrowed Gary Southgate’s outfit (we’ve now seen more of his bike on track than the good man himself) this was after she spotted a crack in the passenger frame on her bike. Some pre meeting maintainence was required following yesterdays racing, oil change, nut and bolt check and I had Karl change a bearing in the front wheel as we found it have a little bit of play.

The weather was very overcast and it looked like it could rain at any time still I waited till late on to practice to give the track some time to get rid of all the slick grass, we took it easy for a couple of laps but surprisingly found some good grip in the corners and a lot of really rough bumps! A practice start suggested a 2nd gear start would be best.

So to heat 1 and it was important to not be on the inside today as at the top of the straight there were some very large dips in the field, not good for us 3 wheelers. We gated ok with Sinead along side us and going into top corner we went around the out side of her to take the lead, we pushed on for the win, and I think Sinead and Rob Bradley had a bit of a battle for 2nd with rob I believe getting it on the last bend.

In heat 2 we got a great start off the line, there were some nice ruts and we use one to our advantage now using 1st gear. 2-3 laps in I heard Karl shout we were clear. The track and especially the bends were really bumpy and they felt harder the slower we went! I dont think Karl or his knees were that pleased about it.

LINK TO MORE IMAGES

Before our 3rd ride Rob packed in, (he was also riding the 1000cc chairs and told me they were a lot easier to ride in these conditions but still not ideal) he was also on borrowed machinery and didn’t want to chance damaging it. So it was just us and McLaren/Galligan who were keen to keep racing, we gated good again and after watching some of the quick solo riders in previous heats I took a much wider line (it was a lot smoother) in the bends. It wasn’t particularly quick but it was a better way round for now, we took the race win.

So going into the last race we’d been unbeaten all weekend, but this time we didn’t really get off the line and were playing catch up to Sinead. A lap in and we were on there tail and on the inside down the back straight and into the bottom corner it was a bit close and I had to ease off as we exited the corner. We chased on and into the next lap made a big move round the outside on the pits corner that worked a treat. It was probably the best 500cc sidecar race of the day, however I think we were all glad to make it thru and finish the day without and damage.

We’ve got a couple of weeks off now till the Bewdley bonanza where hopefully my No.1 motor will be used. Cheers
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1. Ma and Pa says:

   June 26, 2011 at 3:20 pm

   Another grasstrack we missed but well done once again.