Podium moves Paige Bellerby into 2nd Overall
Bellerby Motorsport
Rallycross hotshot Paige Bellerby managed a hard-fought podium at a sweltering Croft circuit.
Paige was off the pace at the start of the day in the Supernational class of the MSA British Rallycross Championship as she battled her way through handling problems. She finished P7 and P8 in her Vauxhall VX220 in her first two heats but managed a fifth in the third outing to secure a place in the semi-finals.
A lightning start blasted her into second, and that is where she finished, therefore lining up in fourth on the grid for the final. Another strong start saw her power past Craig Lomax, although she could do nothing about the power of Tristan Ovenden in the Renault Clio and Guy Corner in the Peugeot 206, who finished ahead of her. This result moved Paige into second place on the championship table with 70 points.
Paige hopes to be back in her re-built Lotus Exige for the next round at Pembrey on June 23-24.
Sister Drew, meanwhile, was hoping to progress up the championship table from 11th but her day did not get off to a good start when in the very first practice she hit the tyre wall, bending the TCA and damaging the steering rack and a front hub. A herculean effort from service crew Kevin and Thomas saw her make the first heat with nearly all the front end changed. Although not driving confidently in the first two heats she nevertheless managed to set seventh and fifth fastest times. Then in the third heat, she was overtaking Andrew Hawkes in the chicane, when his front end made considerable contact with her nearside and she spun out from fourth place on to the grass and out of the running.
In her semi-final Drew had a clear run to finish third, and from a grid slot of fifth in the final, she blasted off the line then drove a storming race to finish a mere 0.8 of a second from a podium place.
“It was a tough race but I’m so much happier now, I’m driving much better and with more commitment,” commented Drew afterwards.
This fine run means that Drew has moved to seventh in the championship with 53 points, giving her a six-point advantage over Kris Hudson.
Vitus Pro Cycling Team
The Vitus Pro Cycling Team, sponsored by FUCHS Silkolene, are now well placed to be taken seriously as an established cycle team after a successful Tour de Yorkshire.
Grant Martin was first over the line for the team in 36th position on day one before a savage day of racing on stage two. Vitus Pro Cycling Team’s young riders pushed themselves to the limit to remain in a race with world class opposition. Thirty-year-old Adam Kenway produced a fine ride to finish in the top 50 on a day that will live long in the memory of those who witnessed it.
Teenagers Ben Walsh and Liam Davies both made the time cut on the 149km run from Barnsley to Ilkley and only Martin succumbed to the intense pace and missed out on competing in stage three.
Kenway’s heroic ride in a five-man breakaway on stage three gave the team a welcome share of the spotlight, before stage four, aptly named the “Yorkshire Terrier” by organisers.
Facing one of the most brutal courses anywhere in the world, the riders had six categorised climbs to get over.
Four of the Vitus Pro Cycling Team’s riders made it over the finish line in Leeds. In total, there were 24 riders, some major stars among then, who did not make it.
Pridham said she was very proud of her team’s efforts.
British Superbikes
Bank Holiday Monday at Oulton Park proved to be a frustrating day for the Be Wiser Ducati Racing Team, even after Shakey achieved pole position for race one and teammate Glenn Irwin qualified closely behind in third.
FUCHS Silkolene-backed Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne’s third place in the opening British Superbike Championship race at the third round would prove to be their best result of the day, with Irwin securing fifth in race two.
Shakey has slipped to third in the overall standings, while Irwin is fifth.
The team now turn their attention to the International North West 200 with Irwin contesting the high-speed roads event of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush in Northern Ireland on May 15-19.
There was better news for fellow FUCHS Silkolene ambassador Leon Haslam, who achieved his sensational second and third wins of the season to overtake previous championship leader Bradley Ray.
Haslam now holds a 14-point lead at the top of the championship standings with 115 over Ray's 101.
Peter Hickman, of BMW Smiths Racing, managed P11 in race two after failing to finish in the opener.
Joe Collier – Superstock 1000
Joe Collier took a strong second place in the Superstock 1000 race aboard his EHA Racing/In Competition Aprilia RSV4 RF at Oulton Park.
The result, achieved from his P2 front row grid position, maintained the team’s 100 per cent podium record to date this season. Collier also took the fastest lap of the race.
The 23-year-old rode a strong race at the front of the field and was joined by team-mate Andy Reid in the early laps, before the Ulsterman was forced to retire with a mechanical problem.
That left the Leicestershire ace in a three-way battle, narrowly losing out at the end of 15 pulsating laps by just a few hundredths of a second to Keith Farmer.
Steve Kershaw – F1 Sidecar Championship
FUCHS Silkolene-backed Steve Kershaw and sidecar passenger Stuart Clark triumphed at Oulton Park, achieving P1, which was also their first ever British Championship win.
The Kershaw racing team currently sit top of F1 Sidecar Championship.
The British F1 Sidecar Championship returns to Snetterton on June 15-17.
Ashleigh Morris Racing - Celtic Speed Scottish MINI Cooper Cup
Ashleigh Morris started race one at Knockhill in P17, which she was disappointed with as she had been much faster in testing.
Unfortunately, Ashleigh’s car was still suffering the effects of a gearbox problem from the previous day and she crossed the line in P11, upgraded to P10 due to an exclusion further up the field.
Race two was frustrating for Ashleigh as she closed gaps lap after lap but was unable to maintain this due to her car struggling on the uphill sections. She crossed the line in P14 and headed back to the paddock disappointed.
It was decided another gear box change was required for race three but there was not the time, so Ashleigh had to go with what she had. Grit and determination brought her home in 15th position.
Next up in the Celtic Speed Scottish MINI Cooper Cup is a trip to the Anglesey Circuit in Wales on May 26-27 – but will the team make it?
Murray Motorsport – National Hot Rods
Gavin Murray of Murray Motorsport was back in action in the National Hot Rods Championships in Hednesford.
He suffered disqualification in heat one before managing a P9 in heat two.
Murray qualified 14th for the final and took the flag in fifth.
