2006 Wulfsport British Sidecar Speedway Championship: Round 1.
Scunthorpe Speedway, Normanby Road, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire.
14 th May 2006.
The Battle of Normanby Road…
Meeting report by Colin Martin (Soton):
And what a battle it turned out to be as Ivor Matthews with passenger Mick Stace grabbed an out of the blue win in the Final at Scunthorpe.
Save the best ‘till last and the sidecar boys certainly did that in a breath taking Final showdown.
The meeting opened in heat one for Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace with a comfortable win over Mick Cave / Dave Hogan. They followed this up with a second place in their next outing but heat 7 almost proved to be a disaster as Ivor held a comfortable lead over Rob King / Nick Wilson.
Entering the third turn for the last time, the throttle cable snapped but the momentum of the bike plus some furious feet paddling by Mick just enabled them to cross the line ahead of King.
Unable to fix the problem before their next outing in heat 9, Matthews / Stace had to sit it out in the pits and anxiously awaited their fate for a semi final place.
With their nearest points rivals Mick Cave / Dave Hogan and Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley failing to capitalise on the situation, birthday boy Ivor had an extra present of a place in the semi final.
Complications in heat five saw the race stopped as leaders Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates slowed forcing Paul Bickley / James Benfield to take avoiding action only for Bickley to be clobbered by Rich Moore / Rob Winspear at full speed. Matt takes up the story: “On the back straight the throttle stuck and Shaun raised his hand to warn the others but I gave the throttle a big handful and it cleared itself. I can only assume some dirt had got inside”.
Team Bickley commented” In heat 5, when Shaun Yates raised his hand, we were directly behind and slowed down, turning to miss them only to be hit by Rich.
The impact threw James forward which shoved me forwards as well, into the chair, knocking the carbs off in the process”.
After talking to the steward common sense prevailed and a re-run was ordered with Tyrrell winning from Moore, Bickley and then Rob King.
A delighted Rob King with first-time-on speedway passenger, Nick Wilson, made the semi finals only to duck out of the competition at that stage.
“I’ve just had the carbs done but there is more work to be done as I couldn’t open the throttle more than half way” said Rob, “the engine just died if the throttle was opened right up. Maybe the emulsion tubes need looking at”.
Another team with frustration were Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley as the bike struggled to get away from the start but once up to speed they were as quick as the rest.
After ten heats, an inspired performance from former champions Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe meant they led the field with eleven points, twice defeating Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates and also Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace in the process.
“Jacko” and Carl were back to their very best, gating quickly and carrying plenty of corner speed and drive.
“For once we are totally ready for the start of the season. That’s not happened in a long time” commented GJ.
Rounding out the quartet for the Final was Rich Moore / Rob Winspear (aka Team Skeleton).
A very motivated Moore and Winspear started slowly but built up the impetus as the heats unfolded to finish with 9 points and the only crew to end Jackson’s winning streak.
Suffering a mechanical misery, Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend failed compete in any race as they dropped a chain after a clutch start on the way to the line for the first time followed by a gearbox full of neutrals as they made the way to the start in their next outing.
With “Jacko” on the favoured gate one for the Final, Tyrrell lined up on two with Moore next to him and Matthews on the unfancied outside gate. An even break saw Tyrrell just edge out Jackson with Moore turning back onto the inside line and level with Tyrrell and Jackson as Matthews watched from a safe distance. “Moorey” stole the advantage on the third turn as all three thundered into the corner line abreast. “Jacko” tried to go around the outside of Moore later on but was taken wide which also unsettled Tyrrell’s racing line as Matthews swept passed the opposition on the inside to take up the lead which he never lost followed by Tyrrell, Jackson and a disappointed Team Skeleton trailed in at the back after catching the inside kerb in an endeavour to get back onto the race pace.
The honour of setting the fastest time of the meeting went to Tyrrell and Yates in the second semi final at 64.50.
After the thrilling opening round, Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates share the top spot on 16 points with Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe. Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace are on 14 and Rich Moore / Rob Winspear with 12.
The other point scorers were: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley (7), Mick Cave / Dave Hogan (6), Paul Bickley / James Benfield (5), Rob King / Nick Wilson (3) and Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend (0).
Although not the biggest of tracks, the Normanby Road circuit is very wide and is ideal for the sidecars who rode the track in the classic diamond shape race pattern to provide first class thrills and high speed encounters to a very appreciative Lincolnshire crowd.
Results:
Heat 1:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 66.84.
Heat 2:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Paul Bickley / James Benfield: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend (ef): Time: 66.59.
Heat 3:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 66.09.
Heat 4:
1 st: Paul Bickley / James Benfield: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend (ef); 3 only: Time: 66.67.
Heat 5:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Paul Bickley / James Benfield: 4 th: Rob King / Nick Wilson: Time: 65.87.
Heat 6:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 3 only: Time: 66.14.
Heat 7:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Rob King / Nick Wilson:
Paul Bickley / James Benfield (ef) 3 only: Time: 69.46.
Heat 8:
1 st: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 3 only: Time: 65.34.
Heat 9:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 only: Time: 64.72.
Heat 10:
1 st: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
3 rd: Rob King / Nick Wilson: 3 only: Time: 64.93.
1 st Semi Final:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 4 th: Rob King / Nick Wilson: Time: 64.70.
2 nd Semi Final:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 4 th: Paul Bickley / James Benfield: Time: 64.50.
Final:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 4 th: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: Time: 65.20.
Meeting Stats:
Fastest time of the night: 2 nd Semi Final: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: at 64.50. 39.5 mph (63.6 kph).
Red: 39% Success Rate.
Blue: 31%
Green: 15%
Yellow: 15%
After the action, they said:
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
“I know it’s early days but we needed to stay in touching distance points wise but with dropping that heat when the throttle cable snapped I half expected not to make the semi final. Even in the semi, the throttle was so loose I struggled with it, there was about an inch of play before anything happened, so we tootled around for a second place. We managed to fix the problem for the final though. In the final we made the best of a tight first lap and away we went. It was a tight race with three or four a breast sometimes. My intention was to go around the outside on the first corner but Gary moved Matt over, so I turned back but at the same time Rich caught the front of us and took the others wide. So I just went for the gap on the inside and in the right place, waiting for them to move out.
We did struggle for the set up today and getting comfortable on the bike but all came good in the final.”
Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
“The bike ran well today and we obviously haven’t been here before. There was a lot of dirt on the track to start with and that suited the bike really, so early on it was really competitive but faded away a bit towards the end. The track for the final was very slick but we didn’t make the most of gate one as we should have done. We just couldn’t make the space we wanted to get passed Rich and we only needed a yard but he held us out with a push or two and we went back to the outside again. We almost clipped Ivor at one point, which sent us towards the fence on the pits turn and we again lost ground. After last years opener, we’re happy with today’s performance”.
Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
“Very motivated today! It’s a shame the championship isn’t on one day really. We’ve just got to keep the form up over the series. Can’t believe what’s happened today. The final was tough but even the heats were like finals today. Everyone is as quick as each other now. It’s such a shame I lost it in the final but it was a mistake that done it for us. We’ve all done it. The bike is still running rich and still not quite right but we’ve got two weeks before Newport to get that sorted out.”
The next round is on the 28 th May 2006 at Newport’s Queensway Meadow Stadium.
Last Year
2005 Wulfsport British Sidecar Speedway Championship.
Full Time Assessment
With the Championship decided only a few weeks ago at the Smallbrook Stadium, who could have predicted the close and dramatic outcome as Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace battled hard all season long with Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates.
At the end of the Wulfsport series, both netted 93 points and the title will be shared until 2006.
But how did everyone’s series go? We shall find out as the crews will give a summing up on their achievements or accomplishments in the championship.
As someone who has stood on the terraces at all eight rounds, watching great racing mixed with incredible skills and total commitment, I am going to have the first say!!
This year, I have been privileged to witness superb racing from all the crews, and yes some had more problems than others, with Rich Moore summing his season up as “Roll on next year!” but when things went right everyone was on the ball. The Brits have improved as everyone raised the bar in this contest, were more competitive with quick machinery and more able to set their bikes up for the various conditions encountered. As a result, they were many times quicker than when I first started watching sidecar speedway back in 2001.
This series has even made certain crews consider new machinery for 2006 as they have the ability; all they need is the right chassis for the job.
To single out any crew would be unfair but I can’t let this golden opportunity to slip by without praising Ivor / Mick who simply wrung the neck of their first machine to stay on terms with Matt and Shaun.
Matt / Shaun’s obvious talent shone through on the LCR and pushed Ivor and Mick to the limit.
For both teams a real test of nerve, ability and character.
The courage and commitment of Paul Bickley and Paul Silvera, who suffered so many knock backs as mechanical problems beset their challenge but who still came back for more with a 23 points haul in the final round.
To observe the sheer exuberance of Rob King / Dave Williams as they won their first race in the series at the last meeting and finally Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend, the first year rookies.
The Cossar style may not be as silky smooth or in the league of a Treloar or Cleave, at the moment, but they did get the job done, scoring some good points through the series.
Trying to single out the best round is proving to be difficult. The first round at Newport set the benchmark which the remaining rounds equaled and, on the odd occasion, bettered. But my vote has to go to Exeter. An unknown quantity for some crews, they skillfully mastered and produced some excellent racing at the County Ground. In fact, Exeter brought about the fastest average race speed in the series at just under 50 mph.
The same high octane action next year please, Gentlemen?
My sincere thanks to everyone, the promoters, all the teams, pit crews and their supporters for all their help and time with interviews, hospitality, travel and this report.
Those are my abiding memories of the series but that’s enough from me, so how did the crews rate their speedway season?
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: Phoenix Yamaha and Mitch Yamaha.
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
As defending champs we were obviously looking to retain the title as the primary objective but we set out to be consistent and make every final….which we did.
Did you achieve that?
See above
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
Every final we won was a high point for different reasons. Newport R1 because it set us up for the rest of the series, Isle of Wight because everybody was expecting Matt to win and we proved mentally stronger to take the 3 rd running of the final, and Swindon R7 because it proved our decision to switch to the Mitch frame was the right one by taking a maximum first time out.
Best race (in my book) was when we beat Matt/Shaun from the back in the heats at the final round…. the initiative had definitely been with them prior to Swindon and after the maximum at Swindon that win really swung the pendulum back to us both from a points and a mental perspective.
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
We swapped engines after the second Isle of Wight round because our main engine went ‘flat’ but then stuck with the replacement through ‘til the end of the series. The main change was obviously the purchase of the Mitch from John Halsey, which is really what bought the title back into our hands by helping us retrieve the 4 point deficit to Matt….though it could also be argued that the mechanical problem we had with the rear wheel in the last round cost us the title! However that is an ‘if only’ and I am sure Matt has one or two of those too!!
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
With the scrap between ourselves and Matt/Shaun the series was both stressful and enjoyable!
It became as much a battle of wills as speed with several twists and turns that could not have been predicted….like the Exeter one for example - when we dropped a race due to a broken earth lead and then 2 races later Matt and Shaun coming untypically last. Definitely a lost opportunity to go a further 3 points ahead! So from an entertainment perspective in terms of a battle for the title I don’t think it could have been better.
There was some really good racing throughout the series and we also saw the benefit of riders getting more ‘race fit’ through regular rides.
On the negative side there were too many meetings with races of only 2/3 riders – not a good spectacle for the crowd. The best meetings were those of 16 rider format. We are caught at the moment between trying to give as many riders as possible the opportunity to compete v. having full grids with reserves in the ‘wings’. Up for discussion but perhaps we start with as many riders as we can and then at some point in the series drop it to the top 16 to ‘tighten’ the series.
Will you be in the series next year?
Definitely
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
Obviously, and as ever, my Dad Gordon, plus my other occasional mechanics Rob and Terry.
Both the Matthews and Stace families for their support and patience throughout the long series. From a sponsorship perspective I am always grateful to Stuart Blyth of Phoenix and also Longman Tools.
Thanks to Matt and Shaun for making the series so interesting and for being such good sports throughout even when the pressure was on! Enjoy it while it lasts boys.
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates. Mills LCR Yamaha
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
Objective: to finish in the top 4 and get used to new bike and new tracks
Did you achieve that?
Yes!! Joint winners.
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
Best meeting: Exeter – winning in front of a large local crowd, the bike and team both performing at their best on the night.
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
Engines: Blew our best motor at Swindon, so we had to put in a spare engine for last round.
Only had 24 hours to do this and it came at a crucial point in the series.
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
Championship very good, lots of rounds gave everyone plenty of opportunity to race and gain experience on a number of very good tracks. We are lacking racing opportunities for sidecar speedway in Britain at the moment! Points system very good, with one exception…thought that it was good idea to count all points acquired in both heats and finals as consistently good performances are rewarded. However, did not like the double points in the last round’s final – it seems to contradict the original idea of accruing points over all rounds. Also, thought it good that you can drop 2 rounds, particularly considering some crews travel restrictions and ability to get time off work.
Will you be in the series next year?
I hope so!!
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
Yes please – Ian and Jan Mills for the sponsorship of the bike and Ian & Will’s assistance in the pits.
Dad (Chris T) for his continued support and driving us all over Britain.
Grubby & Milly Tyrrell for their sponsorship throughout the season.
All the spectators…..especially the Cornish contingent.
Martin Newnham / Kieron Arnell and Gary Phelps. LCR Yamaha.
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
We would have liked a top ten place but after purchasing the LCR it took us a lot longer to get to grips with it and the new engine set ups I think our motor was too strong for British domestic tracks but went well in both German meetings. It was a bit late when we realized this and built a softer motor which didn’t become available until the last round when it blew a head gasket. Now we are preparing for next year.
Did you achieve that?
Won’t answer that one as a bit dismal really!
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
Best meeting for us was the Isle of Wight Round 4 with a heat win in heat 14 against Rich Moore, Rob Patterson and Roger Wynn especially in front of our home crowd and only missing out on the final by countback.
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
When the bike arrived from Oz we didn’t have the correct wheels, carbs and so on and parts kept arriving in the post at odd times. But it is all here now.
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
Well it’s difficult for me to say as I am involved in the promotion but on reflection and judging from the emails I have received it’s been excellent.
Will you be in the series next year?
Sure will.
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
Our entire home crowd that really spurred us on that night in round 4.
Deon Lynd for all his help and advice with the outfit.
Wightlink Ferries, JMC Hire, Dave Death Motorcycles for all the Yamaha bits.
JD Transport for fuel and Island Hire Centre.
Without their help it would be impossible. Not forgetting my family for their support.
Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend and Andi Wilson. HDS Yamaha.
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
As this was my first season racing, I did not have any expectations just to get ‘round in one piece!!
Did you achieve that?
I am very happy with what Haydon and me achieved, neither of us had any experience at sidecar speedway and we really loved every moment.
I feel that we gained confidence as a crew with each meeting.
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
Our highs had to be doing well in our first meeting, and the Final round in the Isle of Wight. Matt Fumarola lent me his bike as mine was out of action. Haydon was injured and Andi Wilson (Matt’s passenger) jumped on the back. I made my first Final!
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
Changing the gearing and setting the chassis for each track. I have used my outfit on both grass track and speedway, so I have had to make alterations for each race.
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
Good.
Will you be in the series next year?
Yes definitely. Hopefully with new machinery.
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
Special thanks to HDS, our sponsors, my Dad for the transport and being our mechanic in the pits, and all the other competitors for their advice and help.
To Matt and Andi for the use of their outfit at the last two rounds.
Rob King / David Williams: Treloar Yamaha
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
Our aim was to finish in the top 10.
Did you achieve that?
No.
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
I personally think we had 3 reasonable meetings, Somerset, Exeter and the final round on the Isle of Wight, where we won our first race and later on kept Gary Jackson at bay for 4 laps in heat 15.
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
Oh yes, we suffered with engine problems to begin with and ended up chasing what we thought was an electrical problem which turned out to be valve clearances.
A big thank you to Lee (smart dude) at Twistgrip Motorcycle Services. He is now my full time engine man, so next year fingers crossed
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
I think it’s a fair way of deciding who the best crews are, consistently. We just need a few more riders to make up the numbers. There is nothing worse for the public than paying good money to watch two bikes out on track when four are programmed.
Will you be in the series next year?
Definitely with some big changes!!!
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
Got to be David “False dawn” Williams, my long suffering passenger.
Big Kev. Watson, my new and most excellent mechanic.
Twin Oaks Turf of Three Legged Cross, Dorset.
Abtech Computer Services, West Moors, Dorset.
Twistgrip Motorcycles Services, Wallisdown in Bournemouth.
Shaun Chick of SC Racing and all at Team Phoenix.
And last, but not least, Jill for the support and encouragement when it goes pear shaped.
John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Renegade Yamaha.
What were your objectives or expectations from the series and where were you aiming to finish in the top 20?
I built a new outfit for the series which unfortunately still needs adjustments made and, although we rode it for the first four rounds, I reverted back to my old style Renegade which suits my style of riding. With a new passenger for this year, Gareth Bemister, who had never ridden speedway and had to get used to the close contact passengers are subjected too.
Our expectations were to finish in the top ten.
Did you achieve that?
I think we finished 9 th (to be confirmed) and, after a poor start, we are really pleased with our latter performances in the series.
What were highs (best meeting or race) during the series?
Our setup seems to suit the track on the Isle of Wight and have managed some great results.
There were two great races I remember. In one meeting on the IOW, I drifted wide on the last bend of the last lap scrapping the outside boards to overtake Roger Wynn to put me into the Final. I managed to pull the same manoeuvre on Paul Bickley, in the Final, to finish 3 rd on the podium.
Did you have to make many changes to your engine or chassis during the year based upon the experience gained during the series?
After reverting back to my old Renegade chassis, it was just a matter of correct gearing and shortening or lengthening the bike to suit each track condition. The only trouble is you don’t get enough time between heats to make any major adjustments.
A change of rear tyre only, if you are quick with the spanners.
On reflection, how did you rate the championship?
A good series especially when you are able to drop your worst two results. My only concern was that it was a lot of expense for very little gain.
Will you be in the series next year?
As much as I love speedway, it proves difficult to justify closing my business for the day to attend weekday fixtures. Gareth and I are both grass track competitors first, so our Sundays during the season are already committed.
Having said that, I’m keeping an open mind on next years series.
Anyone you would like to say a special thank you to:
A big thank you to JT Commercials of Poole, Dorset, for all of my tyres during the series.
Huge thanks to Gareth for stepping in as my passenger when Nick Walters retired at the end of last year. A great job you did too, Gareth, you turned out to be a good passenger.
Thanks to all my pit crew: Mel, Matt and Nicola who all worked exceptionally hard, especially when things didn’t go well in the first few rounds with machinery.
The wives of my pit crew. To Sam and Claire, thanks for letting their other halves come and play motorbikes.
Also, a special mention to Pete and Jill Chamberlain, our most loyal supporters.
To my wife, Tina without whom I would be unable to race.
Yes, I promise to spend more time decorating the house and not building new bikes this winter!
RESULTS FROM ALL ROUNDS
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 8.
Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
4 th October 2005.
It Ends All Square after 8 Rounds…
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates and Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace have been head to head, locking horns throughout this fascinating series and the Isle of Wight meeting failed to split them points wise.
Matthews earned 16 points from Smallbrook and made the grand final whereas Tyrrell scored 11 and failed to make heat 21 but as both had accrued 93 points over the six rounds from eight that counted, the title will be shared between them for this year.
But what a night. Thrills, spills and thought provoking incidents!!!
With the track surface wetter than expected, not making the gate was a problem as Rich Moore discovered to his cost in heat one, as he simply ran out of tear offs. The Skeletons eventually pulled out of their last two rides after scoring only one solitary point in heat 5. “The season started well for us but after that it has just gone downhill,” commented a bitterly disappointed “Moorey”.
To begin the meeting, the magnets failed on the starting gate causing the races to be initially started with the green light going out. That caused a few ragged starts and the first to suffer was Ivor Matthews who was beaten soundly by Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson. The Coventry youngsters were on fire all evening on Matt Fumarola’s SGM and posted the fastest time of the night in heat 3, a machine on which Cossar struggled to get control at Swindon on the previous Sunday.
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates won their opening ride in heat 4 from Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe.
The steward then decided to address the starting situation by allowing the races to be started by stretching white elastic across the track and that proved to be more satisfactory for the rest of the evening.
With Matthews dropping, in his opening ride, a further point behind Tyrrell, Matt had to win heat 5 but failed to do so as John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister pushed the Kernow Krew back into second with a blistering ride.
Matthews won his next race from Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby in heat 6 which set up an eagerly awaited clash with Tyrrell in heat 12. Ivor made the gate from the Kernow Krew but try as they may, they had to give second best to their rival.
Meanwhile, Symon Wall / Kevin Jones’ efforts to hold onto third in the series started well with a second but their Yamahas gearbox let them down in their next race and were forced to miss their next programmed ride in heat 10. Borrowing Joe Mogg’s Steer made no difference as that failed to complete the distance. Heat 18 and “Do It All” tried to salvage some points on Rob King’s bike but inexplicably, Team Wall turned the outfit over on turn two causing the race to be stopped.
“Rob jokingly said he needed some new plastics” said Symon,” why the bike flipped, I just don’t know, it just locked up and flipped. But thank you to Joe and Rob for giving us the chance to try and salvage some points”. Symon has since confirmed that he has broken the scaphoid bone in his wrist after an x-ray at his local hospital. Kev was unhurt in the accident.
With Wall and Jones struggling, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera chose to show their true form on a bike that handled well and an engine that sounded good. Bickley won his opening three heats in good style, dropped points in heats 15 and 19 but were still the top qualifiers for the night.
Also putting an excellent performance together were Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams.
The enigmatic Cheatham and Williams duo failed to score in heat 2 but three victories and a second saw them through to the final. On the night, the former Super Cup victors were a formidable force and were at the races, big time!
With Bickley and Cheatham heading for the final, the last two places were being disputed by no less than Matthews, Tyrrell, Cossar, Hiscock and Jackson. But a poor display in heat 15 effectively ended Jacko’s hopes as he ran a last beaten by Matthews, Bickley and Rob King.
Rob King / David Williams had a good night winning their first heat and race win in the series.
They went on to accumulate six points and avoided the wooden spoon in the final points tally.
But back to the action and heat 17 that featured just Matthews, Lloyd and Wynn after Symon Wall tipped over and was excluded. In the re-run, Matthews led from Lloyd and Wynn but entering turn three, the rear wheel spindle of Matthews Mitch broke causing the bike to grind to a sudden halt, mid track on the corner.
Ivor takes up the story “When the bike stopped and I looked over my shoulder, I saw that Pete would get passed but Roger stood no chance and hit us. I was thrown off the bike along with Mick”. The horrendous sound of metal hitting metal and fibreglass was frightening and deafening as Wynn’s Mitch immediately turned over, went skyward and dropped back down across Matthews’s bike. Wynn was thrown towards the fence as young Ben Goddard was catapulted head long down the track.
A total silence came over the stadium as the medics raced to the scene.
Within minutes, Matthews and Stace shaken and stirred were back on their feet but Wynn and Goddard stayed down on the track but to a supportive round of applause Ben slowly got to his feet as Roger required more time and treatment, being taken to the local hospital, where it was later confirmed that he had broken his left wrist. Subsequently, Roger had an operation on Wednesday to plate the break and was in very good spirits despite everything.
To determine the remaining finalist, a count back decreed that Matthews and Cossar joined Bickley and Cheatham as Tyrrell and Hiscock just missed out. Hiscock was brave after being accidentally hit, in heat 16, by Mick Cave when “Hissy” lost grip and started to lock up and was tagged by “Cavey”. Despite a very swollen ankle, John took his place in the re-run and promptly won it! A text message on Tuesday from the Renegade’s Team Manager stated that John might have broken some bones in his foot that was black and blue with bruising.
With Matthews bike severely damaged and out of service, Ivor borrowed Gary Jackson’s bike to compete in the final. Bickley selected gate three with Matthews (2), Cheatham (1) and Cossar on the outside. After a ragged start Cossar took the lead as Matthews unintentionally forced Cheatham onto the infield. But Cossar’s chance of glory was soon ended when the clutch lever caused problems on the start at the second time of asking as Team Bickley drove hard into the first turn to establish a lead that they never lost. With Matthews in second, Cheatham set about wresting that away but an over eager effort to pass Matthews on turn three resulted in Cheatham crashing into the back of Matthews, dragging the luckless Stace off the bike, before hitting the fence himself. But undaunted Ivor crossed the line with Mick hanging grimly and determinedly onto the back of the bike. The steward had no choice, due to the curfew on Smallbrook, but to award the race to Bickley with Matthews second with Cossar / Wilson and Cheatham / Williams being excluded.
What a way to end a thrilling championship meeting!
But the excitement did not end there as uncertainty buzzed around the pits as to who had actually won the title.
The trophies were presented by the Isle of Wight’s own Rebecca Cook, the British Ladies trials Champion, in the clubhouse as Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace and Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates both finished on 93 points and it was decided to award them as joint British Champions for 2005.
With a remarkable 23 points on the night, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera finally put their mechanical nightmares behind them as they moved up onto the podium in third place.
An astonishing performance and achievement, as they moved up the leader board by three places, in one meeting.
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 4 th: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: Time: 78.1.
Heat 2:
1 st: Rob King / David Williams: 2 nd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard (DNF): Time: 81.0.
Heat 3:
1 st: Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 4 th: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: Time: 76.6.
Heat 4:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 4 th: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: Time: 79.9.
Heat 5:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 79.3.
Heat 6:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 4 th: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: Time: 79.8.
Heat 7:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
3 rd: Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: Time: 80.8.
Heat 8:
1 st: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 77.8.
Heat 9:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 4 th: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: Time: 79.0.
Heat 10:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only. Time: 79.3.
Heat 11:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 79.0.
Heat 12:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: Time: 77.9.
3 RD: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: 3 only:
Heat 13:
1 st: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 only: Time: 78.5.
Heat 14:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones (DNF): Time: 78.6.
Heat 15:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 4 th: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: Time: 77.7.
Heat 16:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne (Exc): Time: 80.1.
Heat 17: Awarded.
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard:
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace (Exc): 3 only:
Heat 18:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
Symon Wall / Kevin Jones (Exc): Symon Wall / Kevin Jones (Exc): Time: 78.0.
Heat 19:
1 st: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Time: 79.0.
Heat 20:
1 st: Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson: 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only Time: 77.9.
Heat 21: The Grand Final: Awarded.
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson (Exc) and Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams (Exc).
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 10% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 29% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 43% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 19% success rate
Fastest time:
Heat three: 76.6 by Mark Cossar / Andi Wilson 45.0 MPH (72.4 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
“Obviously both Matt and I would prefer to have won the series outright but equally we now both individually have the right to call ourselves British Champion for 2005! It is a bit frustrating to have made all 8 finals - and to have scored most points in total across the series - and not have won the title outright but I guess Matt and Shaun were that bit more consistent in their scoring. Hats off to them for pushing us so hard all year. They improved throughout the series forcing us to take our original machinery right to the limits of its capability and ultimately forcing us to switch to Australian built technology which swung results back in our favour over the last 2 rounds. They were not where we predicted the title challenge would come from which is all the more credit to them. We have really enjoyed doing battle with them over the series and it has been an interesting physical and mental challenge I am sure for both of us.
Looking forward to next year now. We have the winter to get the Mitch exactly as we want it, and with several others investing in similar Australian technology and Paul Bickley going so well (when mechanics allow!), it should be an interesting year, though surely it cannot be as close can it!
Big thanks to both the usual suspects – my father Gordon, brother in law Rob for assistance in the pits and garage, Phoenix (Leicester) for continued support, and the family for putting up with the travelling – and specifically last night to Gary Jackson for the loan of his bike for the final and all the other offers that I had from other riders. I’d also like to wish Roger Wynn a speedy recovery. There was nothing I could do to avoid slewing to a halt with a broken rear spindle and equally nothing he could do to avoid us and so it is a shame he has come out of it injured. Not sure about his bike but ours was decidedly second rate after the impact though initial evaluation is that the damage is peripheral rather than structural to the frame. Both Mick and I realise how lucky we are to have come away from it with a few bumps and bruises....can’t wait to see the DVD!”
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
“We are so pleased for all the team. To be joint winners is more than we expected when the series started. A top four finish was our target. Regarding the trophy, we’ll keep it for six months and then it will be passed onto Ivor and Mick.
But take it from me, we are going to win that title next year!
Tuesday was quite a day after the head gasket went on the bike at Swindon. We put my spare engine in Monday evening, after the replacement head gasket was found to be the wrong one, and started it up at 1.30 am on Tuesday morning and the bottom end dropped out! We thought that’s it our season is over until my wife Sharon told us we weren’t giving up that easily, so at 9.00 pm we phoned Ian and asked for his second engine.
We arrived at his home in Berkshire at 1.30pm and by 3.00pm, the engine was changed, we loaded up and set out for Portsmouth!
And in the first race, we lost the gearbox and only had second gear with a false neutral or two.
So the bike was geared up for my last race but it didn’t really work out and one point in heat 19 wasn’t good enough to make the final.
Looking back at the series, we thoroughly enjoyed the Exeter meeting, winning in front of our home crowd. Just brilliant.
Shaun and I want to especially say thank you to Ian and Jan Mills for their sponsorship and support.
To Grubby, Millie, Chris, William and our engine tuner Ken Hicks.
Also Paul and Scott Miller for the tyres. Pat Harris Plant Hire and the Granary at Wadebridge.
Without their support and work in the pits, it wouldn’t have been possible for us to achieve the success we have had this season.
And to my wife, Sharon, for her fantastic support during the season.”
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 7.
Abbey Stadium, Lady Lane, Blunsdon, Swindon, Wiltshire.
2 nd October 2005.
Matthews and Stace show their mettle at Swindon…
A brave move at this late stage in the series; whilst lying second in the championship just four points behind the leaders, Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace surprised everyone with a new chassis for the Blunsdon round. But riding the ex John Halsey Mitchell frame made no difference to them at all as they bagged 19 points from 6 unbeaten rides to close the gap on Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates.
Cornwall ’s Tyrrell and Yates now lead the championship by a mere two points as they head into the final meeting on the Isle of Wight.
Just to show their supremacy on the night, Matthews and Stace posted the fastest time of the evening in heat 11 at 73.11.
“We only had 6 laps practice on the bike during the week” confided Matthews after the meeting.
The opening four heats resulted in wins for Tyrrell, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera, Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby and Matthews. Heats 5 to 8, and only Tyrrell, Whitelam and Matthews won as Bickley dropped a point to Matthews in heat 6.
Heats 9 to 11 and the picture began to change as Whitelam won again as Matthews defeated Tyrrell with a superb piece of anticipation. As the tapes lifted, Tyrrell blasted from the gate but drove too hard into the first corner heading for the dirt and the drive. As he drifted wide, a very patient Matthews pounced, turning hard under the “Kernow Krew” who had no answer to Ivor’s speed down the back straight.
With only two teams now unbeaten at this stage, a battle between Matthews and Whitelam was set for heat 13 that included Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe and Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne.
Matthews made the start from Whitelam who had an on-from Jackson on his tail. Drifting wide on turn four once too often, Whitelam opened the door and Jackson was through on the inside to take second place at the finish.
With Matthews and Tyrrell’s appearance in the Grand Final near completion, the others battled hard to join them. Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera rode well all evening but an machine failure in a vital heat 19, when a win and three points were required, let them down leaving Bickley / Silvera on just 10 points.
“We made some adjustments to the bike and when the seat fairing was re-fitted, an earth wire became trapped and eventually broke during the race and the engine just stopped.” said Bickley.
Also having a moment of misfortune during heat 14 were Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams and Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley. Cheatham led Lloyd but entering turn three, Craig / Kevin slowed with a problem and the fast approaching Lloyd slammed into the back of him, causing both to pull onto the infield. Lloyd’s sidecar wheel had jammed against the metal fairing rail and was stuck fast.
A good night at the races for Team Skeleton who earned 9 points including a heat win on what Rich Moore described as “our standard engine”. Also finishing on 9 were the current third placed team of Symon Wall / Kevin Jones. With Jones not fully fit following his recent knee injury sustained at the British Masters, they did well and put up a spirited defence of that third place which they achieved.
Two other crews appeared on different machinery at Swindon as Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend used Matt Fumarola’s SGM and struggled whilst Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard emerged using a Mitchell chassis on which they had moderate success before switching back to their original Moon frame.
Good points too from John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister and Mick Cave / Dave Hogan. Hiscock had a fortuitous heat 14 win with the demise of Cheatham and Lloyd. But “Hissy” produced the overtake of the night in beating Cave in Heat 8 with an outside to inside pass after tracking “Cavey” for three laps.
The Grand Final saw Tyrrell on the inside with Matthews on two as Whitelam settled on three and Jackson on the outside.
Ivor made no mistake and was gone leaving Tyrrell, who violently lifted at the start, Whitelam and Jackson to battle it out amongst themselves on the opening lap and chasing a lost cause as Matthews/ Stace disappeared into the distance.
With the “Kernow Krowd”, on the home straight, cheering them on the “Kernow Krew” eventually secured second from Paul with “Jacko” trailing in last place.
A brilliant meeting that left the title chase still wide open.
Let the battle commence and finish on the Isle of Wight.
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 4 th: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: Time: 75.83.
Heat 2:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 4 th: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Time: 75.81.
Heat 3:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 74.74.
Heat 4:
1 st:Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 74.20.
Heat 5:
1 st: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 75.46.
Heat 6:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: (Exc): Time: 74.09.
Heat 7:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 4 th: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: Time: 74.71.
Heat 8:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 76.05.
Heat 9:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 74.33.
Heat 10:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: Time: 74.92.
Heat 11:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Rob King / David Williams (DNF): Time: 73.77.
Heat 12: Re-run.
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne (Exc): Time: 75.86.
Heat 13:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Time: 74.17.
Heat 14:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: (DNF): Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds (DNF): Time: 76.56.
Heat 15:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Time: 76.33.
Heat 16:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 75.08.
Heat 17:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 4 th: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Time: 74.40.
Heat 18:
1 st: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 2 nd:Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend (Exc): Time: 77.08.
Heat 19:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera (DNF): Time: 75.12.
Heat 20:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 74.05.
Heat 21: The Grand Final:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 4 th: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: Time: 74.02.
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 24% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 24% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 38% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 14% success rate
Fastest time: Heat 11 by Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 73.77: Speed 43.8 MPH (70.5 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
I.M: ”Obviously pleased with tonight as we were gating well. We did have to get used to the bike, which is a different kettle of fish from what we have been riding. You can see why the Aussies are so quick; the bike makes it so easy to ride and it smoothes your rough edges off.
If I could have got there first in that race with Matt, then I would have done so but once he was underneath us I let him go and just knew what he was going to do. We did the same to Paul Whitelam in the next race. The bike was driving hard on the inside so we stuck to our game plan.
The last two heats the bike came out the start like a rocket, got us clear in the front and I never heard anyone behind us. Looking forward to the Island where a maximum would be nice!”
M.S: “ We did the business tonight but it was new to us. We didn’t know what it was going to do even after a couple of laps during the week. The Aussies perform well on them and so has Matt on his chassis, so we knew what it could do but whether we could ride it that way and, obviously, we have proved we can. So it’s made the series more interesting. We’ve enjoyed it as we’ve put a lot of effort into this championship and looking forward to the Island and we don’t like coming second!”
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
M.T:” No not a disaster tonight but it didn’t start off too good. The bike kept overheating and we found water in the oil. It looks as though the head gasket has gone. I have got another engine to put in but is it going to be quick enough on Tuesday. Yes, I did make the gate on Ivor but drove too hard into the bend but once he got a six bike lead, it was hard to catch up. But we still made the final and pleased with that. Going to the Isle of Wight for the title and just hope my engine is quick enough.”
Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
P.W: “ It was OK tonight but I struggled with the bike set up. The engine and everything else was running brilliant for the first time this year. It’s just getting used to it again. The track was difficult to ride with a lot of grip and it could be slick in different places. And yes, we struggled with it.
Very much looking forward to the Island, it’s one of my favourite tracks and hopefully we’ll get into the final again and put on a good show.”
Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
G.J: ”We didn’t have the best of gates in the final and the bike didn’t launch off like I wanted it too. So, I thought I would just tuck inside, which did work and we were battling for second place with Matt Tyrrell. We locked up with him in the far corner and then got bashed from the side by Paul that pushed us right out wide. And then we were out of it and couldn’t get back from that.
The bike and engine are going well as I have fitted a new ignition system, which is working better for us. Looking to be in another final on the Island and hope for a better finish than last!”
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 6.
The County Ground, Church Road, St Thomas, Exeter, Devon.
5 th September 2005.
Meeting Report by Colin Martin (Soton):
Turning a potential points disaster into a positive result, Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates turned up the heat and the pace on the opposition with a Grand Final victory at the County Ground.
The start of the meeting didn’t bode well as a temperamental starting gate would only lift on the outside gate positions causing the race to be started three times. At the third attempt, Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace streaked away and threw the gauntlet down to their main rival Tyrrell.
Tyrrell immediately replied, in heat two, with a win but a two seconds slower race time than Ivor.
Heat three and bizarre circumstances in a race that started with four riders but only one finished!
Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne got the drop from Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard, Rob King / David Williams and Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps. With Dewison well ahead, Wynn suffered an engine failure on turns three and four and headed for the infield, taking both King and Newnham with him. Despite a protest to the steward, Dewison rode around unchallenged for the three points. Wynn, King and Newnham scored nothing!
Heat eight and another out of the ordinary decision by the steward. The very soft starting area allowed John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister (Team Renegade) to bottom out as the rear wheel just dug in. The race was immediately stopped and the Renegades were excluded, much to the annoyance of Bemister who threw his gloves, goggles and helmet onto the ground as a protest.
The steward stood firm and the official ruling was Hiscock had delayed the start.
Aussie Rob Patterson, using a variety of passengers for the evening, found the reputation of the Exeter safety fence was true. In heat 16, Patterson tried to drive hard around Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard, but was unsighted to the fence and hit the metalwork at a fair pace, tipping the outfit over. Both Patterson and Haydon Bend were soon up on their feet, none the worse for wear.
In the next heat, Patterson and Bend were back in race action and picked up two points as they followed home Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne, to finish for the night on eight points.
Good performance from Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams whose 9 point haul was their best in the series so far. Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley, after a chain failure in their opening ride, also amassed 9 points for a boost to their points tally.
Mick Cave / Dave Hogan also enjoyed good success with an 11 points, only to miss out on the last race by count back. “Cavey” and Dave looked very much at home on the Exeter raceway.
On the opposite end of the scale, still nothing is going right for Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera who pulled out of the meeting after one race, with more mechanical misery. “The engine has been sorted and now the gearbox has gone pop on us” commented an exasperated Team Bickley.
Meanwhile, Matthews and Tyrrell matched each other with wins in heats 6 and 7 respectively. But heat 10 saw an engine failure for Ivor when placed third chasing after Symon Wall / Kevin Jones and Rob Patterson / Haydon Bend. Matthews’s frustration was all too clear as points drifted away.
“We grounded out leaving the start” said Ivor later on,” then an earth lead came adrift and the engine just stopped mid race. That’s racing I suppose but we would have been very disappointed if we were leading the race at that stage”.
Tyrrell appeared in heat 12 with an outside gate, Matt had the ideal opportunity to put Matthews under the cosh. As with Hiscock, Team Tyrrell bogged down into the soft surface and struggled to get away as Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne held the lead from Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley and Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend. Despite a valiant effort, Tyrrell could make no headway and he too lost points. A thump onto the bike’s fairing by Matt demonstrated his anger in running a last place.
In their next races, Matthews and Tyrrell recorded victories, so their highly anticipated crunch meeting in heat 18, took on a renewed importance for both crews just to make the final.
Making a fantastic start, Tyrrell was determined to show who was boss, leaving Ivor trailing in second. Such was Matt / Shaun’s pace around the County Ground, they recorded the fastest time in an incredible 73.79 seconds at an average speed of 48 mph for the four laps.
Whilst eyes were focused on the Matthews and Tyrrell battle for supremacy, Symon Wall / Kevin Jones (Team 21), after a duff first ride, started to put a string of heat wins together and ended up as the highest qualifier on 13 points and enjoyed first pick of the gates for the final. The Exeter circuit certainly suited Team 21 who rode some very brave first corners in their progress to consolidate third spot in the series. “Do It All” Wall even had time to passenger for Rob Patterson in heat 4! A true all round performance, for a total of 15 points, from Wall / Jones.
Joining Team 21 in the final was Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne, who rode very well to secure three heat wins, a second and a third place to achieve 12 points from five rides. Dewison, a multi grass track champion from years gone by, has slowly been posting good scores and tonight was the culmination of hard work and perseverance over the last five rounds.
Dewison / Colbourne are now a serious threat to the others on their Letchford / Bennett Yamaha.
With Tyrrell, Wall and Dewison safely through, the last spot in the final had to be decided on a count back as Matthews had secured 11 points, the same as Mick Cave / Dave Hogan, with their meeting battle in heat one, swinging the vote in Matthews’ favour.
As they lined up, with the threatening rain clouds overhead now as black as yer hat, Dewison took gate one, Wall on 2, Tyrrell on 3 and Matthews on the outside.
Wall and Tyrrell matched each other to the first turn but Wall missed a gear change mid turn and Matthews drove hard and brave around the outside to overhaul Symon exiting turn two. Despite a heroic effort to catch them, Ivor could make no progress on the flying “Kernow Krew”.
As the race progressed, Symon briefly challenged Ivor but to no avail as Tyrrell / Yates won from Matthews / Stace, Wall / Jones and Dewison / Colbourne.
A healthy Devon crowd witnessed some great racing, they enjoyed every moment and the biggest cheer of the night was saved for the relatively local crew of Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates.
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: (DNF) Time: 75.77.
Heat 2:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: (DNF) Time: 77.15.
Heat 3:
1 st: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard, Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps, Rob King / David Williams: (DNF) Time: 79.51.
Heat 4:
1 st: Rob Patterson / Symon Wall: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: Time: 77.52.
Heat 5:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard:
3 rd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 4 th: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: Time: 76.68.
Heat 6:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 2 only: Time: 76.07.
Heat 7:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Haydon Bend: 4 th: Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps: Time: 75.36.
Heat 8:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Rob King / David Williams:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: (Exc) Time: 78.14.
Heat 9:
1 st: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 2 nd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps: 3 only Time: 77.87.
Heat 10:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: (DNF) Time: 75.98.
Heat 11:
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 3 only Time: 78.18.
Heat 12:
1 st: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
3 rd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: (DNF) Time: 78.12.
Heat 13:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only Time: 75.00.
Heat 14:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 4 th: Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps: Time: 76.29.
Heat 15:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: (DNF) Time: 76.15.
Heat 16:
1 st: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
Rob Patterson / Haydon Bend: (Exc) 3 only Time: 77.04.
Heat 17:
1 st: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams: 4 th: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Time: 77.45.
Heat 18:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 73.79.
Heat 19:
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only Time: 77.07.
Heat 20:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Gary Phelps: 3 only Time: 76.07.
Heat 21: The Grand Final:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Time: 74.19.
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 38.1% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 19.0% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 33.3% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 9.5% success rate
Fastest time:
Heat eighteen: 73.79 by Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 48.0 MPH (77.3 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
M.T:“ In race 12 we just ground out, then shot to the inside and did go onto the centre green, so I knew we would be excluded. After that I was really, really angry! There was no way I could lose tonight. I was really up for that race with Ivor in heat 18. I’ve never been like that before when racing!
I wasn’t changing gear until the second corner and once I hit second gear then we got going, nigh on pinned the throttle to the stop all the way ‘round, riding the boards as I could hear the fairing clanging against the safety fence. I did look behind and Ivor was entering the turn as I was leaving the bend. Really pleased for all the team, Ian and Jan Mills, Chris and William.
It is just awesome”.
Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
S.W:” I did think we were going to get top points tonight. But I missed a gear change in the final when Matt was very, very close to me. My foot slipped and hit the sidecar wheel. I knew Ivor was going to be there on the outside, so I had to be on the ball but that was the only gate I missed all night. Struggled a bit in the first heat, got the corners totally wrong by not riding the corners properly, driving too close to the fence, trying to drive on and we did clip the fence once.
Clicked in our next ride, Kev was spot on tonight, couldn’t fault anything and no Sideways Sid as we were driving around the corners. Really enjoyed tonight, Exeter is a thinking mans track.
Have to say that Matt and Ivor are unbelievable especially Matt and Shaun. They are just on top of their game at the minute. Hats off to them! We’ve consolidated our third place, after tonight, with fifteen points. Yes, tonight was really good and enjoyed it”
Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
S.D: ”Well, I still think I’ve got a lot to learn in the those corners!
Mick Letchford has built a good engine, which gives me a lot of mid range power and that is helping us an awful lot. I just need to get more practice in really as this is my first year, so next year I’ll be more consistent. Certainly this year, we still got two rounds to go and I’m really pleased and feel there is more to come from the bike. The frame is lovely to drive, handles really nicely, goes where you want it to. Just got to make sure I put the bike in the right place!”
Rob Patterson:
“Yes, I did find the Exeter fence to be very hard! It just crept up on me a bit as I was trying to go around the outside of Cavey, I think. It was so dark you just couldn’t see the fence and the next thing was I found it! So it sucked us in, bang and over we went. That’s a first for me in sidecar racing.
Tonight’s track was different, from what we have at home, as there is very little banking on our tracks compared with Exeter tonight and our tracks are a bit wider. The set-up of the bike has been pretty good, although I have had trouble with carbies and the engine just hasn’t been running right for a few meetings. Unfortunately, I will not be in the series anymore as I have to head home in about three weeks time, so tonight was my last ride on the speedway but I will be riding with Duncan Tolhurst in the British Masters Grass Track Final in a couple of weeks time.
When I get home, I’ll have to sort my own bike out and at least I can tell the other Aussies, I’ve ridden at Exeter! A bit of a bummer about the wall but at least I can stand here and laugh about it now!”
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 5.
Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
30 th August 2005.
Advantage To Tyrrell and Yates…
Meeting Report by Colin Martin (Soton):
A big crowd filled the Smallbrook Stadium as Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates stretched their lead over close rivals Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace by a further point in the championship series with a blistering display of sidecar speedway on a difficult track. The Kernow Krew remained undefeated in the qualifiers and posted the fastest time of the night in heat 8, to safely see them home into the Grand Final.
As Tyrrell and Matthews did not meet during the qualifying heats, Ivor and Mick were also undefeated and accrued maximum points and a head to head tussle was set between the two main contenders.
Deservedly making the final race, Symon Wall / Kevin Jones (Team 21), who used the “KISS” approach to their racing, and that paid big dividends for them to score 11 points, dropping their only point to Matt Tyrrell in heat 8.
On 10 points, Mick Cave / Dave Hogan claimed their right to the last place with a solid racing performance all evening. Even being partially spun around by Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell in heat 15, did not distract “Cavey” from his objective.
“I just kept the power on and let the bike sort itself out in that incident,” Mick casually remarked later on.
The opening heats caused a few problems on a wet track with some drivers having problems with their tear offs as Matt Fumarola bravely discarded his goggles all together in an effort to see where he was heading. A good night for Team FWR after all the disappointment from their last visit to Smallbrook and 7 points return belied their commitment.
There was an odd decision, by the steward, to halt heat four and to order a re-run.
With Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend leading Mick Cave / Dave Hogan, the rear tyre of Cossar’s HDSRT Yamaha gave out and the outfit slewed to the right just as Cave was about to pass by, bringing both outfits to an abrupt halt. Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne gratefully accepted the lead, only for them to slow down and a surprised Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby took the win after trailing in last place throughout the race. On came the red light and a re-start was ordered with the exclusion of Cossar for excessive baulking!
Enjoying a good points haul was Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe and it looked odds on that they would make the final but a poor third in the eventful heat 16 saw off any hopes they had.
A good performance too from Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne; their seven point haul included a victory in heat 16 over Fumarola and Jackson.
On the downside, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera had a night to forget as they lost third place in the series to Symon Wall. “Everything on the bike, engine wise, is new and it still won’t run properly. We tried different carbs during the meeting but to no avail”, commented Team Bickley.
The first race after the interval and track grading brought problems for Martin “Mad Dog” Newnham / Keiron Arnell who hit the wooden safety fence extremely hard on the opening lap of heat 16, leaving the outfit propped neatly up against the fence. Both driver and passenger parted company with the bike in a frightening spill but were soon back on their feet with Arnell suffering bruising to his back.
“I was caught out by the track and just kept the throttle open trying to see if the bike would pull around but the deep surface near the fence sucked us in” commented Martin after the meeting.
The only other casualty was Haydon Bend who tumbled from the back of Mark Cossar’s outfit when they misjudged the distance to the fence and clattered into it causing Bend to land heavily onto the track.
After a flip of a coin, Matthews had first gate choice for the final, going for gate 3, and Tyrrell wisely selected 2 with Wall on the inside and Cave on the outside gate. Tyrrell was right on the money when the tapes flew up as Matthews followed, with Wall in third and Cave trailing. Driving hard into turn three, Tyrrell went wide allowing the pursuing Matthews a chance of an inside pass but Matt got back on the racing line and blasted full bore down the home straight leaving Ivor with no option but to settle for second spot. Symon Wall, later in the race, tailgated Matthews but time ran out for Team 21 who had to accept third in the end with Cave suffering from an engine problem back in fourth.
An excellent meeting, which pitched experience against determination, wants against needs and a good advert for sidecar speedway shown by the number of autograph hunters at the end of the night.
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr.
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 3 only: Time: 78.3.
Heat 2:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard:
3 rd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. Time: 77.5.
Heat 3:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only: Time: 78.1. .
Heat 4: Re-run
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby (DNF) Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: (Exc): Time: 79.5.
Heat 5:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 3 only: Time: 78.9.
Heat 6:
1 st: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: (Exc)
2 only: Time: 81.0.
Heat 7:
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only: Time: 77.5
Heat 8:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Time: 76.9.
Heat 9:
1 st: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: (DNF): 3 only: Time: 79.3.
Heat 10:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
3 rd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: Time: 79.3.
Heat 11:
1 st: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only: Time: 77.6.
Heat 12:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
2 only: Time: 79.7.
Heat 13:
1 st: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
2 only: Time: 78.1.
Heat 14:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 3 only: Time: 77.4.
Heat 15:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 78.3.
Heat 16: Re-run
1 st: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 2 nd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson:
3 rd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: (Exc): Time: 79.3.
Heat 17:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr.
2 only: Time: 77.3.
Heat 18:
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr.
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 3 only: Time: 78.5.
Heat 19:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 3 only: Time: 77.4.
Heat 20:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only: Time: 77.8.
Heat 21: The Grand Final:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 4 th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 77.1.
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 19.0% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 29.0% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 24% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 29% success rate
Fastest time:
Heat eight: 76.9 by Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 44.8 MPH (72.1 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
M.T:“I think tonight’s win was on the cards after our first race: We sorted the carburettors out and the bike was running really well. I’ve just got to keep thinking positive and it paid off in the end. I knew that Ivor would always be a threat, he went for gate three, so I went for two and again it paid off for us. In Ivor’s heats I could hear his engine was going off, even Ivor admitted that. In the final we just kept going and we are two points ahead. Looking forward to Exeter, as I have always wanted to ride there, I know it is their last year for them but for us it is our local track and looking for some local support”.
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
I.M:”I never expect any result the way Matt is going. It was always going to be tight in the series.
We did have an engine problem after the first race but we did change a few things to try and get a bit more zip. In the end, Matt simply had too much motor for us. I thought gate three was the best gate in the final as one and two were very wet. But we spun out of three and that could have been as a result of the changes we made. The motor will have to come out of the frame before Exeter.
Never seen or been to Exeter, so it should be an even playing field. I think the series will come down to a one night final here later on with double points up for grabs”.
Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
S.W:” The bike has been going well since we reverted back to a clutch cable, our team work since Somerset has been good, the bike has been coming out of the gate well. We rode high wide and handsome and it paid off. I wish now that we had pushed at little harder in the final, chasing after Ivor as he was struggling on the turns. Third was good but it’s going to be hard to catch the top two, they are very quick in deed. Hats off to Matt and Shaun they are riding tremendously well”.
KJ:” Pleased with tonight, couldn’t fault the bike at all, out the gate and gone. Symon did use his head in every race and used the dirt to our advantage. The final was so, so!
Looking forward to Exeter as it is some twenty years since I was last there. It’s going to be interesting to see how it goes, I’ve heard the straights are a bit like tonight; good turns with plenty of banking. There’s no way we are going to get near the top two but we should now consolidate third place”.
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 4.
Smallbrook Stadium, Ashey Road, Ryde, Isle of Wight.
18 th August 2005.
Meeting Report by Colin Martin (Soton):
Matthews and Stace are ACE….
With a Grand Final race that had to be started three times, how much more tension do you need!
Faced with the handicap of a split exhaust system, Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace beat the odds to inflict the only defeat upon Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates in the last race of the night to close the gap in championship. “I could see flames from the exhaust from under chassis but we just kept going” remarked Ivor “the exhaust damage was spotted after the second attempt to start the race”.
Up to that point the Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates team were peerless as they easily achieved a 12 point maximum but they also set the fastest time of the night in heat 1. With the LCR Yamaha in fine fettle, the Kernow Krew were as sharp as tacks out of the traps every time and they continued to maintain the fine form shown at the previous round in Somerset.
Completing the quartet for the final were Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley (Team Orient Express) along with John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister (Team Renegade) as Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera and Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell also on 9 points missed out on the count back system of heats wins and who beat who when they met.
Team Orient Express started out well with a heat win but came back to earth in heat 10 when their Yamaha R1 went onto two cylinders as Hiscock, Bickley and Richard Moore pulled away.
They returned to the track in heats 11 and 17 and won both races, earning a place in the final.
That no points score in heat 10 could have proved so costly at this level of competition.
Hiscock is enjoying a purple patch at the moment, after capturing the South Eastern Sidecar grass track title last weekend. Opening with a clear cut win in heat 2, Team Renegade followed this with a further three points in heat 10 and, at the half way stage along with Tyrrell, were the only unbeaten crews. They dropped a point to Tyrrell in heat 13 and a further two point in heat 16 being beaten by Matthews and Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell. Those two early heat wins saw the Renegades into the final on count back.
Heat 12 produced the drive of the night from Symon Wall / Kevin Jones whose skill and judgement stole the heat win from Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera on the run in to the chequered flag.
Wall used the banking and the dirt on the circuit to his advantage for three laps to generate the speed to get onto level terms with Paul B as both headed for the last bend.
“We never do things the easy way” quipped Symon and Kev “that just wouldn’t be us!”
Enjoying local support, home stars Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell drove well for their 9 points that included a race win in heat 14 over Richard Moore / Rob Winspear and Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson. But on count back 9 points with only one race win was not enough to secure a place in the final.
Mixed bag of fortune for the rest as Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne pulled up in heat 6 in a massive cloud of steam and smoke when their engine let go. Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman struggled in three of their four rides as the bike just died on the line every time the clutch was dropped. Although running a last in heat 19, they were on the pace and completed four laps.
A poor night for Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby with only six points from three rides as the M.T. Steer Yamaha refused to spark into life in heat 15. The evening started so well with 5 points secured up to the interval but their remaining two races only achieved one point.
A night of two halves for Whitelam and Baseby.
Aussie Rob Patterson also had a strange carburettor problem as the fuel found its way into the engine oil. “I’ve got some different carbies on tonight and the engine appears to be over fuelling” said Rob” it could be that needles need lowering into the jets a bit more to stop the fuel coming through”
Richard Moore / Rob Winspear have had better race nights culminating in a non-appearance for heat 18. “The engine is fine in the first heat or so but then the power just goes. We’ve tried everything” commented the Skeleton Team” it must be an problem inside the engine itself”.
Spare a moment though for Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson whose only bright spot this year has been the victory at the Swindon round. Nothing is going right for the Birmingham Young Guns and sadly after the night was over, they have announced their retirement from sidecar speedway. A very talented driver and passenger combination that just need the right chassis and engine combination to show their obvious and true potential.
For the final, Tyrrell with first pick went for gate 2, Matthews (1), Lloyd (3) and Hiscock on the outside. At the first attempt, Tyrrell lifted, slewed to the right and pushed Matthews onto the infield close to the first corner. On came the red light and the steward deemed an unsatisfactory start.
Attempt two and Lloyd drove hard from the outside to the inside, colliding with Matthews as Ivor, once more, ended up on the infield. Red light on again!!! All four back in said the steward.
The second excursion over the inside curb had split Matthews’ exhaust system and with the two minute time allowance ticking away, Ivor had to run with that problem.
But unbeknown to anyone, Tyrrell was also in trouble as the LCR Yamaha started to run hot.
At the third time of asking, they managed a clean start with Matthews just ahead of Tyrrell as Lloyd and Hiscock conducted their own battle for third. Matthews kept the throttle wide open as the power and speed dropped mid corner every time, Tyrrell closed in but the growling Matthews Yamaha just kept ahead of pressing Tyrrell who could not find a way by on the slick surface.
At the finish, Lloyd just edged out “Hissy” in a race to the line.
With race over, the Yamaha’s expansion tank on Tyrrell’s bike gave up and hot water, under high pressure, was showered over his left leg, forcing the Cornishman to stop, hobble onto the infield looking for a hosepipe to cool the scalding liquid that had now soaked through his Kevlars. Fortunately, a water pipe was close to hand and the situation was under control with no lasting damage.
An exciting meeting, some hard battles and strong competition as Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates (56), at the end of the night, are still ahead of Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace (55) with Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera back in 3 rd on 38.
Tyrrell and Matthews have just begun to stretch the field but the way this series has developed, you can’t count your chickens or points until they’re hatched!
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: Time: 76.4.
Heat 2:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
3 rd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 3 only Time: 77.4.
Heat 3:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr: 4 th: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: Time: 78.9.
Heat 4:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: Time: 79.3.
Heat 5:
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: 4 th: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: (DNF) Time: 78.9.
Heat 6:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds:
3 rd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: (DNF) Time: 78.7
Heat 7:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 77.6.
Heat 8:
1 st: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: 2 nd: Rob King / David Williams:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: (DNF): 3 only Time: 78.7.
Heat 9:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 4 th: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: Time: 77.8.
Heat 10:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: Time: 78.6.
Heat 11:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. 4 th: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: Time: 79.0.
Heat 12:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 3 only. Time: 77.9.
Heat 13:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister:
3 rd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds: 4 th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 77.3.
Heat 14:
1 st: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: 2 nd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. Time: 79.0.
Heat 15:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: (Exc) Time: 77.1.
Heat 16:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 4 th: Rob King / David Williams: (DNF): Time: 77.4.
Heat 17:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend:
3 rd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: 4 th: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: Time: 77.9.
Heat 18:
1 st: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
2 only: Time: 79.0.
Heat 19:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 4 th: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: Time: 77.1.
Heat 20:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr: 3 only Time: 78.2.
Heat 21: The Grand Final:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 4 th: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Time: 76.4.
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 28. 6% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 28.6% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 23.8% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 19.0% success rate
Fastest time:
Heat one: 76.4 by Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 45.1 MPH (72.6 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
I.M: “Despite everything you just have to keep plugging away, you can never give up like that
I had to beat Matt just to gain the point back we lost when Paul Bickley beat us. We worked a lot on the bike tonight to get it to work better and by the end it was working good; so we knew we were in with a shout. I think Matt popped a wheelie and pushed us onto the infield first time and Pete Lloyd hit us the second time and I think that is when the exhaust split. The third time, we got away untroubled, which was important as Matt is learning how to ride his bike and you have to work hard to beat him. We were a little bit down on power mid corner, the engine coughed a little and then picked back up but you’re bound to be with an exhaust that is so critical.
As we are back here soon, we’ll leave the set up the same except for that exhaust!”
M.S: “It was tough after the start we had, Yes, it was awkward after the first race the bike wasn’t handling well and there was a fair bit of dirt on the circuit but we sorted it in the end. We had to keep our chances alive. No, we never gave up even though Matt was riding well. His confidence is up and that bike of his goes around the corners so sweet, which is something to envy.
But we are going well and just as quickly as anyone else. Absolutely enjoyed the meeting at the end”.
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
M.T”I honestly thought we could do the double tonight but in the final with so many starts, the bike just got too hot and started to go off. I saw Ivor go onto the infield twice and I thought he would be disqualified but the steward didn’t see it that way. At the end of the day, we are still one point ahead and looking forward to the next meeting and getting into more finals.
Yes, pleased with second tonight”.
S.Y: “ I hate interviews! In the final I think there were a few decisions that weren’t very fair but that is the way things go. We did get the fastest time of the night in race one, so we felt comfortable and really flying and the bike was going well. I think we could have caught Ivor as he wasn’t that far in front but the track had gone hard and polished. We tried following the dirt but it was hard work when you’re in second spot and your line is being dictated to you.
The next meeting here is going to be hard going but we’ll certainly be trying”.
Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley:
P.L: “We had three first places and ran a last when the engine went onto two cylinders. So in that race we just ran ‘round to try and get a point. Then we, well, half sorted the bike for the final, which ran well for two laps and then it decide to go onto two cylinders again. Luckily we held John Hiscock off and claimed third. So, I’m well pleased. We have been chipping away at the series and it is beginning to come together for us. The track was a bit wet to start with but changeable, bit like a grass track! Looking forward to the next round here”.
T.M”: A fantastic night for me! Thought we were going to miss the final by one point, just the way our luck goes but we managed to get in there. Jolly good. If we hadn’t had a mis-fire, we could have had a good chance of winning the final. The way the bike was running tonight, we could have run Ivor and Matt a lot closer. When the bike was running on all four cylinders, it was flying. Certainly looking forward to the next round as tonight was just the warm up!”
The Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship of Great Britain . Round 3.
The Oak Tree Arena, Edithmead, Highbridge, Somerset.
12 th August 2005.
The Kernow Krew Kruise to a win….
Meeting Report by Colin Martin (Soton):
It was a meeting of high drama, extremely hard riding and a few crossed swords and strong words to boot.
Victorious in the third round of the Wulfsport Championships were Matt Tyrrell and Shaun Yates who looked superb all evening and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the Grand Final and pulled away from the rest on their Ian and Jan Mills sponsored LCR Yamaha.
Up until heat 14, the meeting had its moments, a few bumps and a few spills.
Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell turned the outfit over when the back end got away from them on the wet surface in heat 2; Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend broke the tapes in heat 3 incurring a 15 metre handicap; Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley were excluded in heat 4 for course cutting. Heat 11 and Newnham / Arnell were in bother again as Richard Moore / Rob Winspear hit their front wheel exiting turn 2, resulting in Arnell falling from their wayward machine and with some acrobatics, Martin managed to hang on to the handlebars after being thrown up into the air.
But the arrival at the tapes of Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby, Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera and Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard, for heat 14, signalled the start of some hard battles for the rest of the meeting. Matthews made the best start from Whitelam and Bickley. But Ivor was not quick exiting the turns and Paul W motored passed on lap two. Ivor tried to fight back but lost ground and then Paul B got by to claim second but you could you thrown a blanket over all of them at the finish line.
Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr, in heat 17, set about the Brits, Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby and Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley, in no uncertain terms to take a win after initially trailing them both in the opening laps. Terry Madley suffered a re-occurrence of an ankle injury when Patterson clattered into them.
More points were up for discussion when Paul Bickley lost passenger Paul Silvera on turn three after a collision with Craig Cheatham. Silvera fortunately slid away from the bikes and came to rest against the safety fence but Bickley was incensed when the steward in the tower switched on his exclusion light. Despite his remonstrations, Bickley was still thrown out of the race.
Heat 20 just rounded out the qualifiers a treat, as youth triumphed over experience when rookies Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend lined up against Mick Cave / Dave Hogan and Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard. With “Cavey” at the front, with the hard driving Cossar in second, Wynn dived hard and fast under Cossar entering turn three only for Mark to calmly turn back and take second place again leaving turn four. Mark then stalked Cave, not giving him a moment’s peace, driving high on turn two Cossar drew along side Mick. Cave closed the door but Cossar wouldn’t give up and switched to the inside only for his adversary to trap him onto the white line but Cossar was resolute and managed to push Cave aside and go on to take the heat. On the slowing down lap, both crews shook hands in acknowledgement of a hard but a very fair sidecar speedway race.
Making a bid for their first grand final of the series were Symon Wall and Kevin Jones who have, up until now, not enjoyed the best of good fortune. Opening their nights work with a second place, dare devil Symon was the first driver to change his racing line and headed for the deep stuff which resulted in two heats wins, earning Wall / Jones the last qualifying place for the final.
A good performance too from Rob King / David Williams; whilst not uprooting any trees this was their best performance on a bike that was reliable and handling well. “Our Yamaha engine has been looked at by a Suzuki mechanic and he found a few things wrong with the set up. Don’t know what he has done but certainly the motor is much better than in previous meetings” commented Rob and Dave.
This meeting sounded the return to sidecar racing by Joe Mogg, who is now passengered by Phil Stoneman. Early problems didn’t bode well for Mogg but later in the meeting Joe was back on the pace, showing a good turn of speed.
For the Grand Final, Paul Whitelam chose gate 2, Tyrrell selected gate one, Matthews (3) with Wall on the outside gate. As the tapes flew away, so did Tyrrell as the rest squabbled amongst themselves on the opening laps. Wall eventually got the better of and then eclipsed Matthews with a disappointing Whitelam trailing with a mechanical problem.
A meeting that took a long time to get into its stride but the wait was worthwhile as the heats unfolded and the action got better and better.
I give my total respect for all the crews taking part.
Interested on lookers though were current Australian title-holders Scott Christopher / Trent Koppe along with Darrin Treloar / Justin Plaisted before they head back home on Sunday.
They must have been impressed.
Meeting Results:
Did Not Finish (DNF), Excluded (Exc), Reserve (Res):
Heat 1:
1 st: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera: 2 nd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr.
3 rd: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 3 only: Time: 67.12.
Heat 2:
1 st: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 2 nd: Rob King / David Williams:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell (Exc): Time: 66.90.
Heat 3:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd:Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: 4 th: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: Time: 65.78.
Heat 4:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley (Exc): Time: 66.95.
Heat 5:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds:
Richard Moore / Rob Winspear (Exc): 3 only Time: 64.80.
Heat 6:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne:
Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman (DNF): 3 only Time: 65.78.
Heat 7:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
3 rd: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: 4 th: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Time: 65.59.
Heat 8:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear:
3 rd: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 66.15.
Heat 9:
1 st: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan: 2 nd: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell:
Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson (DNF): Time: 66.98.
Heat 10: Race stopped and awarded.
1 st: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley (Exc): Time: N/A
Heat 11:
1 st: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 2 nd:Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: :
3 rd: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 4 th: Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell: Time: 65.50.
Heat 12:
1 st: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe: 4 th: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds: Time: 65.09.
Heat 13:
1 st: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: 2nd: Rob King / David Williams:
Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne (Exc): 3 only Time: 66.17.
Heat 14:
1 st: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: 2 nd: Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera:
3 rd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 4 th: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: Time: 65.14.
Heat 15:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: 4 th: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr: Time: 65.50.
Heat 16:
1 st: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Rob King / David Williams: 4 th: Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson: Time: 66.60.
Heat 17:
1 st: Rob Patterson / Paul Whitelam Jnr. 2 nd: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
3 rd: Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley: 3 only Time: 67.31.
Heat 18:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Craig Cheatham / Clive Reynolds:
Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera (Exc): 3 only Time: 65.74.
Heat 19:
1 st: Richard Moore / Rob Winspear: 2 nd: Gary Jackson / Carl Blythe:
3 rd: Joe Mogg / Phil Stoneman: 4 th: John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister: Time: 66.34.
Heat 20:
1 st: Mark Cossar / Haydon Bend: 2 nd: Mick Cave / Dave Hogan:
3 rd: Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard: 4 th: Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne: Time: 67.66.
Heat 21: The Grand Final:
1 st: Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates: 2 nd: Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
3 rd: Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 4 th: Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby: Time: 65.44.
Meeting Stats (Approximates):
Gate 1 (Red) 24% success rate
Gate 2 (Blue) 14% success rate
Gate 3 (Green) 33% success rate
Gate 4 (Yellow) 29% success rate
Fastest time:
Heat five: 64.80 by Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace: 41.4 MPH (66.7 KPH)
After the action, they said:
Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates:
M.T: “You have to think positive and tonight was all about confidence, you have to believe you can win. I didn’t look behind in the final, so I didn’t know what was going on elsewhere.
The gearing was just right, the bike was fine but the water pump did fail during the meeting and it was topped up with water and it was hope upon hope that the engine didn’t overheat.
We are confident with the bike, hopefully this will carry on until the Isle of Wight and our win tonight kick starts our bid for the title”
Symon Wall / Kevin Jones:
S.W: ”The only change we have made is going back to a cable clutch after the hydraulic problem at the European Bonanza where we had no clutch all night. The clutch is now working right and Kev and I got our act together and we were storming out of the gate tonight with two wins and a second. In our second ride, we got past Richie Moore and pulled away, riding in the dirt.
In the final, I had a word with Ivor and he told me about the problem he was having exiting the top turn. So I logged that in and used that to our advantage during the race. Thank you very much Ivor, there’s the door and we were through but I had to drop down onto the white line to keep him at bay though”.
K.J “Got clobbered tonight in our first heat, when the red flag came out and Matt Tyrrell came under us and just kept pushing us out. It hasn’t helped because I’m still carrying a leg injury from a few weeks ago from an accident on my road bike but the adrenalin kicks in and you forget all about the pain when you are racing. Really pleased with tonight as we changed a few things and it worked especially our racing line. Hopefully we are on the up for the rest of the series.”
Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace:
I.M: “No, we didn’t have a power problem at all, just a drive problem. I just felt, all night, that we were always a race behind in the setting up of the bike. We never seemed to catch up. Early on, we were spinning a bit but getting away with it. When we came up against the good guys, obviously you can’t have a disadvantage. A couple of changes were made but I wasn’t happy at all in the final, persevered through and the big thing was we made the gate each time this evening until we got to the final where we lifted. Matt Tyrrell winning tonight has been on the cards all year and we cannot afford to give him a lead like that. This puts us a point behind but there is still a long way to go, so it’s going to be tight to the end of the series.”
Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby:
P.W: “Hopefully this will start our championship bid but there were bike problems tonight especially carburation which is still not right. I took my spare bike out for the final and that didn’t work, as I couldn’t get the bike in gear, so the final was gone really. But up till then we had three wins and a second: very pleased with that. Heat 14 was a cracking race, really enjoyed it, Ivor did leave a gap for us and I thought we’ll have that!
Definitely looking forward to the Island, love the track and lets get some more points on the board.”
Round 4 Canceled at Stoke due to bad weather
ROUND 2:
Sunday 15th May 2005 at 6.00pm.
The Abbey Stadium, Lady Lane, Blunsdon,
WULFSPORT SIDECAR SPEEDWAY CHAMPIONSHIP OF GREAT BRITAIN
Round 2 - Swindon Sunday May 15
FINAL:
1. Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson
2. Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace
3. Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates
4. Gary Jackson / Carl Blyth
Meeting Points
1. Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson 14
2. Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace 13
3. Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates 11
4. Gary Jackson / Carl Blyth 11
5. Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby 9
6. Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera 8
7. Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard 7
7. Paterson / Paul Witeman Jr. 7
7. Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley 7
10. Richard Moore / Rob Winspear 6
11. Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne 5
11. Symon Wall / Kevin Jones 5
13. Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams 4
13. Mick Cave / Dave Hogan 4
15. Steve Maitland / Carl Bell 3
16. Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell 2
16. John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister 2
18. Gary Radley / Roy Bloor 1
18. Mark Cossar / Hayden Bend
SERIES POINTS STANDINGS:
1. Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace 27
2. Matt Tyrrell / Shaun Yates 25
3. Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera 22
4. Matt Fumarola / Andi Wilson 18
5. Richard Moore / Rob Winspear 17
6. Steve Dewison / Kevin Colbourne 16
7. Peter Lloyd / Terry Madley 15
8. Roger Wynn / Ben Goddard 13
8. Paul Whitelam / Tony Baseby 13
8. Symon Wall / Kevin Jones 13
11. Craig Cheatham / Kevin Williams 11
11. Gary Jackson / Carl Blyth 11
13. Mick Cave / Dave Hogan 10
13. Mark Cossar / Hayden Bend 10
15. John Hiscock / Gareth Bemister 9
16. Paterson / Paul Witeman Jr. 7
17. Steve Maitland / Carl Bell 6
18. Martin Newnham / Keiron Arnell 5
19. Rob King / David Williams 4
20. Gary Radley / Roy Bloor 3
21. Steph Blyth / James Orton 0
EUROPEAN SIDECAR BONANZA
An action-packed European Sidecar Speedway Bonanza at Smallbrook Stadium on the Isle of Wight kept the crowd on the edge of their seat to the very end. Racing was extremely competitive throughout the meeting which resulted in a number of crashes.
Reigning British champions Ivor Matthews and Mick Stace were eventually crowned Bonanza Champions beating The Skeletons pairing of Richard Moore and Rob Winspear in the final. In a great race the resurgent John Hiscock and Gareth Bemister beat Paul Bickley and Paul Silvera on the line to secure third place.
Dutch entrants Roel Linburg and Erik Van Dyke had a nightmare when they broke their clutch in their first outing and took no further part in the meeting.
Unluckiest crew on the night were local heroes Martin Newnham and Keiron Arnell who were involved in a number of crashes and still managed to secure a semi-final place.
Result: 1 st Ivor Matthews/Mick Stace, 2 nd Richard Moore/Rob Winspear, 3 rd John Hiscock/Gareth Bemister, 4 th Paul Bickley/Paul Silvera.
The Wulfsport Sidecar
The
Hayley Stadium, Queensway Meadow,
1st May
2005.
Bickley, Matthews and Tyrrell
share the spoils.
Meeting Report by Colin Martin (Soton):
A dramatic Grand Final to the opening round of the Wulfsport Sidecar Speedway Championship as it ends all square between Ivor Matthews / Mick Stace, Paul Bickley / Paul Silvera<