ACU Supermono Series – Round 3/4: Cadwell Park 29/30th July 2006

Following the win at Mallory in round two and only nine points behind the championship leader Alex Hutchinson, Team Tigcraft where feeling confident on closing the gap at Cadwell over this two race weekend event. The weather was glorious, the circuit was perfect but sprits did not remain high for long as the first free practise showed several engine problems with the number one Tigcraft Minimono.

Back in the Tigcraft tent, Chief Engineer Chris Cross and Team Director Dave Pearce briefed the team and set a plan in place to swap over to the number two bike for timed practise, allowing more time to make a decision on Saturdays race. Timed practise went as well as could be expected with Glen qualifying 2nd on the grid. At 2.30 the sun was blazing and 28 bikes sat ready on the Grid. Richard Rowley on the Air-cooled Rotax powered Tigcraft Minimono had a bit of a jump at the start and led the pack into the first bend at Coppice. By the end of park straight Rowley was still in front being pushed hard by the dominant trio of Hutchinson (77), George (1) and English (25).

By lap three the leading pack where still together when Hutchinson lost the front end of his bike going into the Barn corner hairpin. The remaining 9 laps where fought out between last years Champion Mark George and Works Tigcraft rider Glen English. The leading two slowly pulled away from the rest of the pack and on the second to last lap the Tigcraft machine was again experiencing problems and Mark George crossed the line to take the win some 10.5 seconds ahead of English with Rowley taking an excellent and well deserved 3rd. The fastest lap of 1:38:63 went to Glen English on the Works Tigcraft machine sponsored by designdatamanager.com and California-based bike owner Guy Tolomeo.

With several technical issues to resolve and only 10 minutes free practise before the next days race, the team returned to the Tigcraft tent and set to work on the number one bike changing the carburettor and all of the running gear. The team then retired to a local hotel for a late dinner and to celebrate Glen’s 40th birthday that was the following day, and yes like the seasoned professional that he is Glen was the first to retire from the bar and turn in for the night!

With the temperature dropped after the overnight rain and the wind picking up, at 9.15 Sunday morning Glen made his way down to the holding area for free practise. Grid positions for the race are taken from the previous days qualifying so no real pressure other than testing the bike. After only a handful of laps Glen left the track to report that all was well bringing a much needed smile to the faces of the Tigcraft team. In the 3 hours before Sundays race the team gave the bike a final once over, reset the fuel and donned the tyre warmers before breaking for lunch.

First race after lunch and all the Supermono / Minimono riders made there way to the holding area. With only one bike stalled on the Grid the race was off on time and lead into the first bend by number 77 Alex Hutchinson on the Smith Brothers NWS Honda. Three laps in, English and George both passed Hutchinson to spend the next seven laps almost side by side until lap ten when English set the fastest lap of the weekend and pulled a clear advantage on last years champion. The final laps where a faultless display of motorcycle racing and on his 40th birthday you could almost visualise the smile on Glen’s face as he crossed the line to take the chequered flag.

With Mark George second and Alex Hutchinson third, the scene has been set and the Championship levelled for round five at Donnington Park on 13th August!

Race Review: S J McBurnie