Fast and furious action at Lydden Hill

Mike Powell slid off at Paddock whilst leading the Bantam Class in Race1. Rob Walker had a primary drive belt failure as he challenged for the lead in Race 5 and Mervyn Stratford experienced a magneto failure whilst challenging Tim Jackson for the lead in Race 11. None of this disheartened or discouraged them, however. Mike Powell went on to claim victory in the Bantam Races and was in the thick of it with his G50 in the 500cc Class races. Rob Walker went on to claim four wins and a second place on the immaculate ‘Yellow Velos’ and the inimitable Mervyn Stratford continued his winning ways in the 250cc and 350cc classes on his extraordinary Rudges.

Stacey Killworth and his Triton experienced mixed fortunes over the weekend. There was a win in the closely fought Race 7 for ‘The Big Stuff’ and another in the first BEARS race followed by retirement from Race 18 and a fall in Race 30 at Paddock. He was leading in Race 40 until it was red-flagged and retired on lap 5 of Race 42 while in the lead.

The up-to 350cc races give that man Stratford another opportunity to strut his stuff – and he did not disappoint. After his magneto failure in Race 11 he took 4th place overall in Race 22 behind John Warwick on his very quick Gold Star, Graham Buller on his Norton and similarly mounted Nick Bedford. In Sunday’s races, it was Tim Jackson’s turn at the flag in both races with John Warwick and Graham Buller behind him in the first race and Mervyn Stratford 4th in Race 33 and 3rd in Race 43 behind Graham Buller. 

The Lacey Ducati races could be described as a grand day out for Scott Harris and his 350cc Ducati Mk 3 with a win in Race 1 from Andy Hunt. Positions at the flag were reversed in Race 12 after an exciting duel right from the off. This continued on the Sunday with another tight, exciting race where Harris fought off the challenge from Andy Hunt and Nick Kennett. In the final race of the day for the Ducatis, Scott made no mistakes and soon built up a convincing lead over Andy, Nick and Stu Noble.

Next meeting will be Mallory Park at the end of August and then the season will be rounded off with two days of racing at everyone’s favourite circuit, Cadwell Park, at the end of September.

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