Round report coming soon.

Round report coming soon.

Due to timing computing problems, electronic copies of the results are not available for this round. The series points have been updated

February in South Australia is renowned for scorching temperatures. A race meeting at Mallala on the 3rd of the month held the promise of extreme conditions. Despite the potential weather, and early start to the season, a strong field of over 80 entries was listed for the meeting. As it happened, the action on the track was hotter than the day itself. Most riders reported slower times than Saturday’s practice in the 35 degree humidity, but the competition on the track was as close as it has ever been.

The Unlimited Solo events were dominated by Stephen Liddicoat on the Suzuki GSXR1000, realising the potential of the work he put in at the close of the 2007 season. Yamaha R1 mounted Michael Blunden and Ian Andrews on his Supersport Suzuki GSXR600 were left to battle for the minor placings, Blunden dipping into the 1:09’s in the chase. The major points for the round of the Steve Martin Cup, run within Unlimited Solo, were taken by Blunden with 3 wins, from Aprilia Tuono mounted Paul Radford with a third and two seconds. Graham Snaith brought the “Hyosung” R1 home in second place in the first race but failed to start in the subsequent events, leaving Ben North (Honda CBR954RR) to take third on the day with a fourth and two thirds. Unlimited Twins class points went to Paul Radford (Aprilia Tuono) from Steve Millar (Suzuki SV1000) and Alister Gosse (Honda VTR1000 SP1).

The Reece Bancell Trophy events saw battles within battles as the lead C & D grade riders swapped fastest laps. “Hyosung” R1 rider, Graham Snaith won C Grade and narrowly, overall points for the day, from D Grade winner, Suzuki GSXR mounted Steve Leach. In the first race they crossed the line separated by less than half a second, then both riders dipped into the 1:11’s in the second race. Second place in C Grade went to Justin Kelly (Yamaha R1) from Scott Lawrie (Suzuki GSXR 1000). Michael Lawrie finished 5th after 2 strong second places, when he DNF’d in the final. Ben North (Honda CBR954RR) put in a solid performance to take second in D Grade from Steve Millar (Suzuki SV1000).

Limited Solo provided some of the tightest racing seen in recent times as Michael Brenton, Tim Inkster and Paul Murray fought tooth and nail on the Michael Hewitt prepared Suzuki SV650’s. All three riders lapped consistently in the 1:18’s, dropping into 1:17’s in the final race. At the presentations, accepting first place with two wins and a second place, Brenton clarified his December retirement, as “retiring from Superbike”. Inkster picked up second with two thirds and a win, Murray third with two seconds and a third. The competition behind the lead three was every bit as hot with Ryan Seaman (Honda RS 125) and Brett Metcalf (Honda CR500) swapping places, Kim Angel (Aprilia RS250) showing improvement in her return to racing and the flock of Yamaha RDLC’s squabbling behind.

In Historic Group 2 it was all out war between the RDLC’s with Brett Metcalf coming through as the winner with a second, two wins and a third over the four heats. Newcomer Vlasta Krejcir served notice on the established contenders, taking second place with a fifth, two seconds and a win. Regular contender Richard Carter had to settle for third place, followed by Chris Pash (Suzuki T500), Paul Langbein (Yamaha RDLC) and Andrew Bannerman (Yamaha RD400).

Division 1 Bracket Racing saw club treasurer, Shaun Casey (Yamaha Thunderace) take the row one win from secretary Andrew Haworth (Honda CBR600) and club sponsor Kym Davey (Honda CBR600). The last man on the front row, Sam Brenton (Honda CBR954RR) had a day to forget with a series of problems which started with a failed fuel pump and finished with a suspected blown head gasket. Row two was won by Alister Gosse (Honda VTR1000SP1), Row 3 by Steve Kerr (Triumph TT600), Row 4 by Martyn Hockham (Yamaha 660 Special) and Row 5 by Ben Kruger (Suzuki GSXR 600).

In Division 2 Brackets, club president Chris Peake (Suzuki GSXR1000) took the row 1 win after Gary Harman-Hobbs (Buell XB12R) broke a drive belt in the final race and Jon Falzon broke out. Committee member Brian Rosser (Ducati 520), won Row 2, Michael Bell (Kawasaki ZX9R) Row 3, Rob Nash (Honda CBR600RR) Row 4 and Alex Hill (Suzuki GSXR600) Row 5, showing the diversity of machines running in the class.

Round 2 of the combined Sonnex Reece Bancell Trophy and Race Bike Services Steve Martin Cup series will be held at Mallala on June 15th, with practice on the 14th.

The Café Racer Club thanks its series sponsors, Bridgeland Motorcycles; Ducati Adelaide; Hood Sweeney Technology; Race Bike Services; Show & Go Motorcycles; Sonnex Laser; Steve Cramer Products and club supporters Brit Bikes; Neville Lush Racing; Red Knot Wines; Underground Designs; Top Coat Motorcycles for their continuing support of this exciting series.

We also thank Bills Motorcycles; Bridgeland Motorcycles; Coast Yamaha; Ducati Adelaide; GC Motorcycles; Japanese Motorcycles and Dismantlers; Yamaha World for their combined efforts to provide partial tyre sponsorship to all of the competitors. This assistance to the riders helps us to help them keep on racing.