CRMC Final Round – Croft
Report and Images by David Gowshall
2nd - 3rd October 2021
Last weekend saw the final two races in each class of the 2021 Classic Racing Motorcycle Club (CRMC) Championships take place at Croft.
Having thoroughly revised the recently published Pistonclick Croft Circuit Guide I set off from my home in Lincolnshire, heading north up the A1, armed with a choice of zoom lenses and looking forward to an enjoyable weekend.
Unfortunately, the optimistic weather forecast for a showery weekend was very wrong, particularly on Saturday, where the only priority for myself, my wife and youngest daughter was to seek out shelter from both the incessant heavy rain and the strong winds.
On the track, the elements also added to what was an already tense ending to the season for those still looking for championship honours.
Some riders, fortunately, had already sealed champion status following the previous round held in warm sunshine at the scenic Anglesey circuit, but no one competing at the testing former airfield circuit, situated close to Darlington, were simply attending “for the ride”.
Only a limited number of points for those still involved in championship tussles were available to race winners over a very busy weekend, with the second day of the meeting on Sunday largely set aside for the CRMC’s annual Races of the Year, for which no championship points were available.
Wakefield based rider Joe Barton (#106), having already secured the title in Classes 5a, 4a and 10a prior to arriving at Croft, faced a real challenge from John Dieterman (#18) in the 8a and 10c classes. The pair had been virtually inseparable in a series of thrilling races at the previous round at Anglesey, and the final weekend was no different.
Despite the valiant efforts of Dieterman, who won all three races contested at Croft, Barton triumphed in both classes as a result of three second places.
All four of the sidecar classes had been decided prior to the weekend with the Shaun Motson/Lizzie Quinlan pairing (#42) on their BSA outfit appearing as champions in the Period 1a Class, and Steve Brooks and Ben Stell (#77) who secured the title in the Period 1d Class on their immaculate Suzuki, both present.
Kieran Clarke who has been partnered to the Period 1c title on previous rounds by Patricia Visscher (#9), entered the fray with the experienced Alan Cracknell, filling in as a replacement “monkey”, for the final outing of the season.
Jason Reilly and Kevin Hunt, despite not appearing at Croft, took the Period 1b championship.
In the remaining solo classes the pressure was off for already crowned champions Steve Hands - #142 (Class 4d), Jerry Lodge - #4 (Class 9d), Jamie O’Brien #74 (Class 9e), and Andy Hornby (#2).
Rochford’s Mark Taylor (#41) had emerged as the Production class champion, along with Stephen Atkin (#150), who had sealed the Classic 500cc Over 55 Riders title at Anglesey.
Dominic Herbertson (#9) and Gary Freeman (#77), both similarly mounted on Honda K4’s, also arrived in the North East as champions of both the Classic 350 Twin and the Classic 350cc over 55 riders champions respectively.
Ralph Coldwell #123 (Class 7c), Yamaha mounted Darren Cooper #162 (Class 8c), and Andrew Widdowson (#102) (Supermono GB), helped by the non-appearance of title rival Peter Boast, could look forward to receiving Championship winning trophies regardless of their performances of the weekend.
Other champions not attending the season ending event were Peter Henwood (Class 2a), Charles Murdoch (Class 3a) and David King (Class 9f)
The huge range of machines taking part in the CRMC Championships meant there were, nonetheless, numerous class titles still to be fought for, particularly in Class 10d, where Mark Purslow (#26), trailed Neil Robinson (#45), both Honda mounted, by just 13 points prior to the weekend’s races. Robinson also had a battle on in Class 8m, where he led from Grant Goodings by 23 points.
Despite the efforts of Purslow and Goodings, Robinson did just enough to seal both titles, with his 4th place in the Class 10d race and two top three finishes in the Class 8m class seeing off his rivals.
In the Classic 500cc Goldstars championship just nine points separated Steve Hands (#142), Gary Abbott (#63) and Barry Mason (#191) before the weekend got underway.
All three rode well in the testing conditions, but despite an encouraging second for Mason in the first race of the weekend, measured rides to third and a fourth were just enough for Steve to get his “hands” on the silverware.
Dominic Herbertson (#9) still had hopes of overcoming his 12 point disadvantage to Andrew Class 8d championship leader Andrew Widdowson (#102) prior to the weekend.
A first and second in the two races was enough for him to leapfrog Widdowson, who had a non-finish and a fourth in a disappointing end to his Classic 500cc Air Cooled season.
Championship leader Ant Hart (#75), who had recorded 8 wins this season, was a non-starter at Croft, which meant it was still mathematically possible for Jamie Edwards (#87), to steal the Class 9a title.
With two wins at Castle Combe, Edwards, who has been consistent throughout the season picked up 8 points by riding to a steady 8th place in the first race of the weekend, and that was enough for him to go home with the silverware.
Mark Edge (#88), (aptly named), seemed to have the “edge “over Dundee’s Robin Lamb (#8), for the Class 9b Over 55’s title, leading by 40 points going into the weekend, and a win and third place was enough to seal the championship.
CRMC Races of the Year
With all the championship issues resolved, most of the action on Sunday was set aside for the CRMC’s Races of the Year and the “feature” ACU Classic 8 lapper, which attracted high quality entries.
Joe Barton completed his 100% winning run in the ACU event, leading the field home once again for the seventh consecutive time in 2021.
The “stand alone” Race of the Year races were held over seven laps, and with none of the pressure associated with a championship, it was an opportunity for the riders to go for broke in an effort to take home an extra trophy and a nice cheque.
Not surprisingly, the action was highly competitive and very entertaining for the crowd assembled.
In contrast to the championship races, the races were held in brilliant sunshine, although it was still decidedly cool and windy.
However, it was a good opportunity to take some more adventurous shots with photography, as opposed to the needs to try and stay dry and warm, taking priority.
Finally, 2021 saw Pistonclick’s “adopted” rider Mick Pennell make the change to three wheels, as he paired up with experienced passenger Della Bufton to try his hand as a sidecar pilot.
Two 11th places on Saturday summed up what has been a consistent season, resulting in a top ten finish in the Championship.
The pair have been improving throughout the season, with a notable sixth place at a rainy Castle Combe, being the highlight.
Sunday’s Sidecar Race of the Year was sadly ended by a retirement on what was their final race of the season, when the fairing on their outfit worked loose.
The race also marked the end of Mick’s venture into sidecars, and next season he will be reverting to two wheels.
As a dress rehearsal, Mick, as well as competing over the weekend in the sidecar class, made an appearance on his trusty Boost liveried Yamaha, on which he started his motor cycling career.
The 2021 CRMC season began at Mallory Park without spectators, but thankfully as the season has progressed and COVID restrictions have been lifted, the opportunity to watch and photograph this highly competitive form of motor-cycle racing, has improved.
Hopefully, 2022 will bring a COVID free environment for all and we can return to “normal”.
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