Team Allspeed

CRMC Classic Festival.

What a roller coaster of a weekend.

We headed to the track Thursday as were booked in with #33 Greg Wright for the Classic Bike Trackdays on Friday. Also out on the track day was Greg’s son Jarrard on the Team Allspeed CBR600 and James Boakes on the Team Allspeed TZR250.

Great day for all three and set us up for the weekend.

Saturday and the team were now joined by #43 Adam Carson who again was racing the Team Allspeed FZR600R in Supersport 600 and the Oliver Motorsport 690 Supermono all weekend.

First action on track for the weekend was the Supersport 600 class. A mixed grid with the Superbike 750 class. Unfortunately, no #32 Dan Kift for this meeting as it was such a popular event, he was unable to get an entry. Qualifying and Greg managed to finish in second place, whilst Adam was in fifth. Good starting positions for the two riders and the race was looking like it would be a close one from the lap times.

First race of the day and the guys lined up on the grid ready to go. Lights out and they flew away. First lap round and Greg was catching up with the lead 600 and it looked like an epic battle was going to unfold. Lap two and no Greg! He had gone down at the fast right hander Coppice with the leader Danny Imberg. Big cloud of smoke and the race continued. Unfortunately, Danny was hurt and Greg’s Ducati caught fire. After just three laps the race was red flagged to allow the marshals and medical to attend the corner. Adam had got himself into third place in the SS600 and seventh overall. Adam was confident he could have made up places, as the bike was feeling perfect.

Next race for us was the Supermono race. Adam had qualified in eighth place in the practice session. As the riders were waved off for the warm up lap Adam looked comfortable, however he came into he pitlane as the riders returned to the start. He was not happy with the front end of the bike, something felt wrong. Quick look and it was the fairing rubbing the front tyre. Somehow the fairing had dropped a bit and was now touching the wheel. Nothing we couldn’t sort out for the next race, just disappointing for Adam.

Sadly, no second race for either class Saturday, as a start line incident had brought the meeting to a pause for a couple of hours whilst marshals and medics managed the situation. All of us in Team Allspeed send out best wishes to the riders, family and friends involved in this.

Sunday and a fresh day for everyone. Weather still hot and sunny and the crowds attending the event poured in. This is CRMC’s main meeting of the year and this year all grids were full. A great event.

First race again the SS600. Greg was now on our trusty CBR600, as the fire damage to his Ducati was too much to get it back out this weekend. Race started and they both get a good start. As they cross the line on the first lap Adam is up to third place overall and second in the 600’s. No Greg, where has he gone. Turns out the CBR600 doesn’t run for long with the fuel turned off. None of us will do that again. Back on track and Adam is holding onto third and they are leaving the rest of the pack.
The FZR600R is singing. Lap five and Adam takes the 600 lead and is on the back of the overall leader on a Ducati 916. Final two laps Adam was able to match the Ducati, just could not pass him. Taking the flag in second place overall and getting his first SS600 win.

An Amazing ride and something we never thought we could do. In the Supersport 600 class the bike to beat is the Ducati 748. They have taken every win this season and nearly every win last season. For us to put our Yamaha on the top step means everything to us. All those hours/days in the workshop building it up from a £700 wreck of a race bike.
Big thanks to Martin Sweet for refreshing the engine over the winter and Perry Leask for rebuilding the suspension.
Massive thanks to Zoe Bool-Jopson (you can follow Zoe’s motorcycling adventures on her page ZBJ113) for sponsoring Adam on the FZR600R for this meeting with a set of Continental tyres.

After that success Adam went into the Supermono race with high expeditions. Adam qualified in the ACU Supermono race in seventh place. However, the bike was running hot after a few laps. After his non start Saturday Adam had to start from the back of the grid in 36th place. Lights out and Adam got off to a flyer. Before the race we said if he can get a top ten finish that would be amazing. End of the first lap he was already in tenth place. Great work.
Adam continued to make up ground on the bikes in front, getting up to eighth place at one point. Then the bike started getting hot again. He backed off the pace to finish in tenth place.

Once back in the paddock we spoke to a couple of guys running the same KTM engine as us and they said it sounds like the head gasket is on the way out. Not wanting to damage the bike or the engine at all we decided the safest option was to park it up for the weekend.

Next out was Greg and Adam in the ACU 750 race, the big race of the weekend. Greg had qualified in ninth place on the CBR600 and Adam in seventh on the FZR600R. A longer race for the ACU one, this time over 10 laps. Adam got himself into sixth position for the race, which was the highest placed 600. However, no prizes for top 600 in this race. Greg battled through the pack for most of the race and finished just behind Adam in seventh place. Good results for the paid of them in a very competitive race.

When Adam got back to the garage, he said the rear tyre felt like it was sliding a lot. Suspecting he had had the best of the tyre he just rode around the issue. When we put the tyre warmers on it was obvious what the issue was. There was oil all over the tyre and the back of the bike. Somewhere the FZR600R had developed an oil leak in that race. Quick look and we could not see where from. Another bike we had to call the end of the weekend on. Such a shame we had gone from the highs of winning our first 600 race with it, to this. Safety first we could not risk putting the bike out there. Two sensible decisions in a day, we must be maturing with age 😊

Last race of the weekend and it was just Greg to line up in the SS600 on the CBR. Couple of races in now and Greg was getting used to the bike. Totally different from his Ducati, but still a very capable motorcycle in this class. In fact, the CBR600 is the most popular bike on the grid. A good solid race saw Greg finish seventh overall and third in the SS600 class. A good points scoring result to help him in the championship.

As well as the racing we had taken along several bikes from our collection for the GP Parade’s. Took three vans to get them all there. During the weekend we had Jason on the ProAm 250LC replica, Tony on a FZ750, Adam on the TT Superbike R1, Jarrard on the CBR600 and James on the teams TZR250 in between his hard work spannering the race bikes all weekend.

Great weekend overall, plenty of action in the garage to keep us busy. Quite a bit of work to do back in the workshop now to get the bikes ready for the next round. Yet somehow, we all left very happy with the weekend.

Race week :) Weather looks good, meeting is biggest of the year and Donington Park. What more could you want.

We are at CRMC Donington Park Festival this weekend. Also attending the Classic Bike Trackdays on Friday.

#33 Greg Wright and #43 Adam Carson will be racing in the Supersport 600 class and the ACU 750 Wheatcroft Trophy. With Adam also riding the Oliver Motorsport KTM690 Bros in the SupermonoGB and ACU Supermono races.

Also taking along a selection of bikes for the feature parades.

We are in garage 9 all weekend, come and say hello if your visiting the event.

CRMC Brands Hatch 2026

The team’s favourite and local track. This is the weekend we had been waiting for all season. Also, the weekend that #43 Adam Carson made his return to racing after getting married in June.

We did a cheeky track day on the Monday before to allow Adam to get back up to speed. It also gave Adam a chance to ride the Oliver Motorsport KTM690 Supermono that Tim and Penny have so kindly let Adam race. A great day was had and a few jobs that needed doing before race weekend in the week before.
#33 Greg Wright was unable to make the Monday track day, so he got himself up to speed on the day before the meeting.
Meaning the whole team was ready to go. Well except for one person. Sadly #32 Dan Kift was unable to make the race weekend due to work commitments.

With the UK in the middle of a heat wave, we all arrived at the circuit Friday in already scorching weather. With the weekend looking even hotter.

Adam was riding the Oliver Motorsport KTM in the SupermonoGB races and the ACU Supermono race. Plenty of track time to learn the bike. We also had the Team Allspeed Yamaha FZR600R fresh from its winter refresh, which Adam would be riding in the Supersport 600. Whilst Greg would be riding his Ducati 748 in the Supersport 600 races and the ACU 750 Post Classic race. A busy weekend ahead for us all.

We also bought along a couple of the team’s parade bikes to take part in the CRMC Brands Hatch 100th parade. We dug out our 2000 Yamaha R1 TT Superbike and new to the collection a Yamaha RD250LC ProAm replica as built by Niall McKenzie a few years ago.

Saturday morning, we were joined by James who was along to mechanic on the bikes all weekend for us. First session on track was the SS600’s. Greg was flying and finished second overall and first 600cc. Close behind him was Adam finishing fifth overall and third 600. Very good result for the team.

Race 1 Greg was battling for the top 600 spot along with two other Ducati 748’s. With Greg finishing second between them at the flag. Whilst Adam got a tangled up with the 750’s and managed to finish fifth 600 by the flag. The lap times however told a different story. The top 5 600’s was all lapping on 51 second laps. In fact, it was 300’s second between them all. If they had managed to stick together on track that would have been one hell of a race. A personal best for Adam, he had never got into the 51 second laps before.

Race 2 was a little less hectic, but again the leading three were all Ducati 748’s. A testament of just how well these bikes are put together by Richard at Luigi Moto. Another rostrum lockout by Luigi. This time Greg had to settle for third place, with Adam finishing top non-Ducati in fourth. Great days racing from both the guys.

Sunday and first race were another epic battle between the 748 guys, Greg was fully committed today and had his eyes on the win. He didn’t disappoint, he pushed his 748 into the 50 second laps and finished top 600. Adam was struggling getting the power down on the Yamaha, his tyres were knackered to put it politely. He was pushing hard and had to settle for fifth place.

Last 600 race of the weekend and Greg had his hands full for this one. However not another 748 this time. Danny Imberg had woken up and was pushing hard on his Honda CBR600. Danny led most of the race with Greg pushing him hard. Last lap push into the 50 second lap time again saw Greg finish in first place, just! In between races we adjusted the rear suspension a little on the FZR600, which allowed Adam to get back into he 51 second lap times. However still not enough to get onto the leaders and Adam had to settle for another fifth place.

Adam was also riding in the Supermono GB Class. Although they run at CRMC events, the rules are much more relaxed and more modern parts and bikes are allowed. In fact, there are very little rules, just must be a single cylinder bike. Adam is riding in the Evo class; this is for the more powerful and modern bikes. To give you an idea the bike Adam is riding is a Honda Bros frame and swingarm. Yes, a Honda Bros! It has a Yamaha R6 front end, Ducati rear shock. With a KTM 690 2018 engine fitted. The KTM engine is what most of the grid is on, which are fitted into frames such as Tigcraft, Spondon, Kramer and even the odd KTM. You can also run slick tyres, which we were not on.

Qualifying and Adam’s first chance to see where he is in this class. He managed to finish in seventh place, a great start. Most of the guys in front of him have been in the class for a while and are multi championship winners. With the top finisher being Mike “Spike” Edwards.

Race 1 and the first race start on this bike. Which didn’t go too well. Adam pulled himself back up the grid in the race finishing an excellent seventh position.

Sunday and the second race from Saturday had been held over. Meaning with the ACU race and 3 championship races. Adam would be out 5 times on the mono today. All good track time for him.

He battled on all day, and each race managed to get nearer the front guys. His results were improving as well. First race he finished another seventh place, then the next race he got himself into sixth position.

The next race was the ACU British Championship race, and a good qualifying saw him start from sixth position and finish in fifth place in the race.

Last Supermono race of the day Adam got a great start, but as the race went on the bikes engine temperature was increasing. He backed off for a couple of laps to try and get it down. Adam came in one lap from the finish as was concerned it was running too hot. A very sensible decision and one Tim Oliver the bikes owner would be happy about.

Just one last race of the weekend for Greg in the ACU Post Classic. Greg had qualified fourth for this longer ACU race and he held third place for most of the race. Greg was passed on the last lap and crossed the line in fourth position.
However, when he returned to the pitlane he was sent to the podium and was awarded third place. As there was a technical issue with the third-place bike. Not a way Greg wanted to take a podium finish, but a well deserved one.

Overall, the weekend was a huge success. Greg has put himself into the championship battle. Now sitting in third place. Whilst Adam made his return to racing and was flying from the start. As well as making a great debut in the Supermono GB championship.

Next stop is Donington Park in three weeks’ time.

Race Week :)

We are at Brands Hatch circuit this weekend for the latest round of the CRMC championships.

#33 Greg Wright will be on his Ducati 748 in the Supersport 600 and ACU races.

#43 Adam Carson returns on our Yamaha FZR600R in the Supersport 600 as well as riding the Oliver Motorsport KTM690 in the Supermono GB and ACU races.

Sadly no #32 Dan Kift for this round, he has work commitments, but will be back for the next round at Donington.

We will also be bringing a couple of bikes from the collection for the Brands Hatch 100th parade. Our Yamaha R1 Superbike which finished 6th in the 2000 Senior TT ridden by Jason Griffiths. Also a Yamaha ProAm LC replica originally built by Niall Mackenzie.

We will be in garage 25 all weekend. Tea and coffee is always available to visitors, so please pop along and say hello.

Team Announcement

We are excited to announce that Team rider #43 Adam Carson will be riding the Oliver Motorsport KTM Supermono this weekend and at the Donington Classic next month.

A class Adam has been very keen to join and thanks to Tim Oliver he has the opportunity to do so. We will be flying the flag for Oliver Motorsport whilst Tim and his team are busy racing in the F900r cup at BSB.

Just returned from a day at Brands Hatch to give Adam his first chance to ride the Supermono. We can safely say he loves it and can't wait to join the Supermono GB grid.

See you at Brands Hatch this weekend.

CRMC Snetterton 2026

The next round of the CRMC Championships took us to sunny Snetterton in Norfolk. Second closest track to home and it was just a short trip up the A11 on Friday afternoon to the track. With the UK enjoying a heat wave, the forecast was looking cooler and maybe some rain over the weekend.

#33 Greg Wright had been at the track since Wednesday evening. He did a track day Thursday as it had been a few years since he had raced at the circuit and stayed over till the weekend. #32 Dan Kift was next to arrive with his Yamaha OW01. He had taken the opportunity to stop off at OW01 Specialist Peter Day on his way up and grab a few new parts he needed. Including a higher seat unit as used by Terry Rymer back in the day. This hopefully will make racing the OW01 a bit more comfortable for Dan.

Saturday and James joined the team for the weekend on the spanners. Same as before the Supersport 600 and Superbike 750 are sharing the same race/grid. Bit easier for us as we only have the one race to worry about.

Qualifying and both guys went out in glorious sunshine. Dan managed to qualify 16th overall and 6th in the 750 class. Whilst Greg put in a great few laps to finish 3rd overall and 2nd in the 600 class. A great result getting on the front row.

Race 1 for the guys and we went to warm up Greg’s Ducati 748 ten minutes before the start. Only no one told the Ducati this was our plan. It wouldn’t start, no sign of life at all. We looked at all the obvious things, but nothing. Whilst Greg was pulling off bodywork, etc. James and I pulled the Honda CBR600 out to use. We had it sitting on wet tyres and settings just in case of any sudden showers. Somehow, we swapped the wheels, fuelled it up and changed the suspension settings to something Greg could ride in the dry in about 5 mins. Greg made the grid with seconds to spare. The garage looked like a bomb had gone off, but he made the race.

Lights out and away they went. Gregs first few laps were very cautious, he hadn’t ridden the CBR in the dry for a while and the tyres were cold. He soon got into it and managed to claw himself back up the leaderboard. He finished 8th overall and 4th in the class. Only missing out on a podium finish by half a second.
Dan’s race was much more controlled; he was comfortable with the new seat unit and the bike running well. Retaining his 16th place overall and 5th in the class.

Once back to the garage we spent the next couple of hours checking components and the wiring on the Ducati. It felt like an electrical issue. Starting with the obvious things like the tilt switch, fuel pump, etc. Greg changed the ECU and the bike fired into life. Must be the problem.

Second race of the day and as they left the garage, we said to Greg we will have the CBR600 warmed up and waiting in pit lane if the Ducati doesn’t work right. As he came round from the warmup lap he went pass the pit lane took to his grid position. Great bike fixed. However the Ducati had different ideas, the bike cut out as he stopped and would not start. We couldn’t see this as we were quite a bit away from the start line.

Next thing we see is Greg running down the pitlane. James grabbed the CBR and took it up to Greg. By now the race has started and the riders have gone out of sight and round the first corner. Greg jumped on the Honda and took off after the pack. Seconds later the leaders came back round into sight and completed their first lap.

Greg got the bit between his teeth and just pushed to get some points. Main thing was to get a good lap time, so he had a decent start position on Sunday. Whilst this was going on Dan was pushing away in the 750 class. Having another good ride and finishing 14th overall and another 5th in class. Greg almost got himself back up to Dan in the race, however somehow the results showed he was a lap down. Can only assume his transponder didn’t register the first lap as he started in pit lane. Meaning on the paperwork he had finished 23rd overall and 12th in the class. That may get sorted out as there was several issues with the timing on the day, most important his lap time put him back where he should be on the grid for Sunday.

Racing over for the day and we turned our attention back to the Ducati. Assuming it was the ECU again. Greg drove the two hours back home to take an ECU off his road Ducati 748 and grab some other parts we may need. Returning Sunday morning, so he could get a good night’s sleep in his own bed.

James gave the bike a look over in the evening and checked some more things. He changed the fuel pump filter and primed the pump back up. The bike fired into life. We thought we have found the issue. Everyone went to bed thinking it was fixed.

Sunday and the weather were still warm and sunny, none of the showers that were forecast to hit us.
Greg returned with a bag of parts and went to start the Ducati again. Nothing, not a thing! To make matters worse the CBR600 had starting to get clutch slip in that last race. We thought we are in for a bad day here.
Greg asked Lee Marks to take a quick look and give his opinion. Lee as well as being at the front of the Supersport 600 class on his Ducati 748, he also works at Luigi Moto Ducati Specialists. First thing spots is the tilt switch still on the bike. He says remove that and bypass it. We tested it yesterday; however, Lee says they can play up randomly. Tilt switch removed and bike fires into life. The Ducati is back 😊

Also, today the guys have the ACU 750 race, starting with qualifying for this. Very handy as it gives us a good session to make sure the Ducati is fixed. Greg fired up managed to finish 4th, whilst Dan put his OW01 in 11th position.

First race of the day and Greg finished 7th overall and 3rd in the 600 class. Showing the bike is well and truly fixed now. Dan almost didn’t get out. When we took his bike off the stands to leave the garage, the forks didn’t feel right. Quick look at them and they were sticking down. I backed off all the settings, and they worked but felt awful. Putting the settings back in the forks appeared to work ok. Dan went out after the grid had done their warmup lap and started from the back of the grid. The plan was to use it as a test lap. Dan finished the race in 15th overall and 6th in his class. Not bad considering.

Once back in the garage Dan swapped the springs in the forks as he had put a different set in to try. We were thinking this maybe the issue. Seemed to do the trick and no problems from then onwards. Dan sat out the ACU race out whilst he did this.

Greg went out for the ACU race and finished 5th place in the end. More importantly he was the first 600 out there, so gave him some confidence for the last race of the weekend.

Both guys back out for the last race and both got their best results of the weekend. Dan finished 12th overall and 4th in the 750 class. Whilst Greg crossed the line 5th overall and 2nd 600. A great way to finish the weekend off.

A few weeks rest for the team now till the next CRMC round at Brands Hatch on 4th/5th July. For us this is our local track and our favourite. Will be busy in the workshop getting bikes ready for the event. As well as the race bikes we also plan to take along a couple of bikes from the collection to display and parade as part of Brands Hatch’s 100th anniversary celebrations. Hopefully we will have our ex World Endurance & BSB Yamaha YZF750SP, as well as our ex TT Superbike Yamaha YZF-R1 at the weekend.

Before Brands we do have another important event to attend, team rider #43 Adam Carson’s wedding. Best wishes to Adam and his bride Daniela on their wedding day from everyone in the team. Honeymoon at Brands Hatch maybe 😊

CRMC Round Two Pembrey

Second race meeting of 2026 took us to Pembrey in South Wales. Long trip from Essex and on a Bank Holiday Weekend to make things worse.

Before this meeting we managed to get to a track day at Brands Hatch so the team could try Also gave our mechanic James a day on the Yamaha TZR250 as a thanks for all his hard work last season. A very successful and enjoyable day for the team and set us up for Pembrey well.

Friday and Greg had the test day to get used to the track as he hasn’t raced here for a few years. Also joining him on rack was #32 Dan Kift on his OW01. A last-minute addition was #43 Adam Carson, who took the opportunity to keep himself up to speed with the test day on our TZR250.
The day stayed good weather wise, and all had excellent time on track. Roll on the race weekend.

Saturday and the forecast rain was still not with us. The meeting again the SS600 and Superbike 750 classes were sharing the grid. Greg and Dan were out in qualifying together. Greg put in a great lap towards the end of the session and managed to put it on the front row. He was 2nd overall and first in the SS660 class. Dan finished 6th in Superbike 750 and 17th overall.

They lined up for their first race of the weekend, still in dry weather. Greg didn’t get the best of starts; Greg is struggling with getting the Ducati off the line. Something we are looking into how it can be improved. It’s more to do with the bike than the rider. With the whole season in mind, Greg was happy to not push too hard and finish 4th in the class. Dan was struggling with the gear changes on his bike and kept his head down to finish 5th in the Superbike 750 class.

Then the rain came as forecast, a few delays and their second race was held over till Sunday.

Next day and the wet weather were still with us; it was drying but the track was still wet. First race they both started on wets. Greg took our Honda CBR600 out as it was sitting there on wets. Good safe rides from both and Greg finished 3rd in class and Dan 6th.
Thankfully that was the last of the wet weather, a few showers here and there. However, the track remained dry enough to not use the wets again.

Second race of the day and another shocking start from Greg, meaning he spent the rest of the race getting back to the front of the class, eventually finishing 5th in the 600’s. Dan decided to play it safe and retired from the race a few laps in as his gear change issues seemed to be getting worse.

Next race for both was the ACU 750 race, the long 12 lapper. Dan decided to sit the rest of the day out and preserve his bike. The gearbox issues need looking into further. So just Greg to start. His start was much better this time, and he had good pace all race, eventually finishing 4th.

Last race of the weekend and Greg put a new rear tyre on as his was looking very worn. Warm up lap to scrub it in and he was away. However, coming out of the last corner on the first lap, right in front of us all on the pit lane his rear let go and somehow, he managed to stay on the bike. We were scared by it, so what it felt like on the bike on Greg will know.
He got his head down after loosing several places from this moment. Greg got himself back up to 4th in the SS600, when on the last lap another moment cost him two places. Finishing 6th in the end.

Overall, a good solid weekend. Greg maintains his 2nd position in the Supersport 600 Championship. Dan has a bit of work to do on his OW01 before the next meeting to make sure his gearbox issues are not major.

Next up for the team is a weekend at Donington BSB for #11 Scott Carson’s first meeting of the season on the Cryosol BMW F900R.

Then Snetterton for the next round of the CRMC Championships.

Something a little different to us this year, minimoto racing.

Team member #43 Adam Carson and his brother Scott Carson both started out riding bikes on minimoto’s back in the day. Therefore, when their nephew William Green was taken along to a try out session in the winter it was no surprise he got the racing bug. William has been coming along and cheering on his uncles and the team since he was born. Now it was our time to cheer him on.

William took part in his first ever race meeting with Fab Racing at their first round of the AC40 Rookies Championship held at Lydd Kart track down in Kent. Only his 3rd time riding on an outside track. These race weekends are run like a BSB weekend. Practice Friday, qualiflying and 1 race Saturday and two races Sunday. Quite a lot for a 6-year-old to take in.

The bikes are all the same and are restricted for the rookie class. Ages range from 6- to 13-year-old. With 29 lining up on the grid, it was the biggest class of the weekend.

William racing under the number 3 this season and on his own Blata minimoto that we prepared a couple of weeks ago in team colours.
He lined up on the grid looking quite the part. William was knocked off in his first ever race on lap one. However, he got up and back on the bike to finish a very respectable 20th place.

Sunday and race 2 he had picked up the pace a little. Finishing in 14th position at the flag. Every time he rides the bike he is learning and improving. Final race of the day and William had a race long battle to stay in front of a fellow competitor, finishing 18th.

A great weekend and an honour for the team to support William and his family. We will be following him as much as we can this year and making him part of the team, he has followed all his life.

Well done #3 William Green. You are now a racer 😊

This weekend we got the 2026 season off to a start at the first round of CRMC Championships at Cadwell Park.

Our first weekend as a team with new members #33 Greg Wright and #32 Dan Kift. Greg was riding his Ducati 748 in the Supersport 600 championship and Dan his OW01 in the Superbike 750 championship

Both riders did the track day Friday to blow the winter cobwebs off. It was a damp morning, so Greg took our Honda CBR600 out on wets to get a feeling for the bike. We plan to have this bike ready to use all season should there be any issues with the Ducati. Few tweaks made to suit Greg, otherwise he was generally happy with the bike.
Dan skipped the first couple of sessions and waited for it to dry, sensible when you are racing such a rare machine like his.

As the track dried Greg took the Ducati out and we set about trying some different settings on the suspension. This is a learning curve for us this season, as we have no experience of running a Ducati. Our trusty mechanic James was with us this weekend to assist Greg, as well as Greg’s son Jarrad. Therefore, Greg can concentrate on his riding this season. This is his first full season for 7 years, and he wants to give his all.

Dan got out after lunch and put some good sessions in on his freshly rebuild OW01 and was all ready for the race meeting. When the bike decided to not play ball and something was causing the carbs to jam when fully open. Thankfully this was spotted when the machine was be checked over by CRMC, otherwise it could have gone very wrong on track. After an inspection it was put down to some O-rings swelling inside the carbs. Sadly, something we had no replacements for on us or a job we wanted to do at a dusty track. The bike was parked up for the weekend.

Dan had also bought along another OW01 that he had spent all winter restoring and wanted to try out on track to make sure it was running ok. This is an ex Dennis Trollope Racing bike that was ridden at World level and at the TT. A lot of history with this bike and something that really should be paraded. Now it was being raced again since being parked up over 20 years ago.

Saturday and time to race. Greg and Dan although in different classes were in the same race this meeting. So made left simple for us knowing when to have them ready. New for season at CRMC we were also allowed to use tyre warmers. Fortunately, not new to us or the riders, as we have used them at clubs we have raced with in the past.
Qualifying practice and the track were dry. Greg finished 4th in the 600 class and Dan 9th in his. Both happy with these results. They both also were taking part in the ACU Post Classic 750 race and this practice was on of the last of the day. Both improving on their lap times in it. Greg ended up 13th on the grid and Dan 24th.

Race 1 and the weather was turning for the worse. The wind was picking up, and the skies were looking grey. The main thing was no rain. Lights out and the race was on. Unfortunately, a crash bought out the red flag after only 3 laps. Greg finished the 600 class in 3rd position and Dan 7th in the 750 class. Not a great way to finish the race, however we will take that a third place in his first race of the season.

As we waited for the second race of the day the wind was getting stronger, more tie downs on the awning as we were going to end up in Louth at this rate. Soon after the club called a meeting of riders to let them know that racing was cancelled for the day, the wind was just too strong to carry on. In the paddock it felt ok, however when James took a cycle out to the far side of the circuit, he came back saying it was too dangerous on the push bike, let along racing. A good decision by the clerk of the course and CRMC to end things for the day.

Saturday night the wind really did build up. Storm Dave hit us and at times it felt the caravan would tip over. Yet we woke to sunshine and calmer winds. So racing was on for Sunday.

That sun soon disappeared and April showers hit us. The first race we were in two minds what tyres to use, wets or dry’s. We decided wets at the last minute and when they got to the collecting are the heavens opened. Clearly the right choice. However, the race was suspended for 15 mins to allow people to change tyres. Something most of the riders were not happy about.
When the race was recalled, the sun was out and the track drying. Still was wet tyre weather, but a drying track wrecks expensive wet tyres. Frustrating as it would have been so much safer for everyone in the fully wet conditions originally. Greg took the CBR600 out on wets and Dan decided it was not worth crashing his priceless OW01 in the wet.

Lights out and Greg didn’t get the best of starts. To be expected as he never had tried to launch the CBR before. A good steady ride and he counted off the laps in tricky conditions. A few fell in front of him showing how slippery the track was. He eventually finished in 7th place just loosing a position on the line to Lee Smith ironically racing our old wet CBR we sold last year. Maybe I sold the wrong bike 😊
Still at this point of the season, we were all happy to get a finish and keep the points stacking up.

Next up was the ACU 750 race. Dan sat this one out as well, not happy with the conditions. With the track drying now Greg lined up on the Ducati on dry tyres. This seemed to be the whole grids decision apart form the odd one or two. A longer 10 lap race this gave Greg time to try some other things, and the plan was to use it as another practice session and do nothing silly. A mix up with his race number meant he started from the back of the grid rather than his actual position. He had a good race getting himself back up to his original position and taking on the 750’s. A good finish and 9th place. He also tried a few things that seemed to improve his lap time.

Last race of the weekend and Both riders out for this one. A fully dry track now. As they took to the grid, we realised the two leaders of the 600 class had not made it out there. Suddenly we realised we could be on for a good result here. Greg started further down the grid than he would like after that 7th place finish in the wet. Lights out and away they went. Dan was having a great race with a couple of the 600’s. He could take them on power, but the newer lighter bikes could fight back in the corners. Whilst Greg was getting on with the job and was leading the 600 class after the first couple of laps and was busy trying to catch one of the 750’s in front of him. Then another red flag and the race was over. Greg taking the 600 win and Dan finishing 6th in the 750’s.

What a great way to end the weekend. Our first win of the season and Dan’s beautiful OW01 still looking perfect.
As a team we had a great time. New members, new bikes and new riders. Yet the same fun was had by all. Roll on Pembrey in a few weeks. We have a trackday booked in a couple of weeks to test some more bits and get James out on track for his first ride on the TZR250.

Big thanks to James and Jarrad for all their help.

Big thanks must go to Richard Llewellin at Louigi Moto for his time and help making sure Greg’s Ducati 748 was at its best for this season. Was great to see and be part of Louigi Moto get their first ever 1,2,3 in the 600 class at CRMC.