Thundersports and the Inter-Service Motorcycle Championship

Cadwell Park 

15th October 2022

The last ever round of the Thundersports GB motorcycle racing championship was held at Cadwell Park last weekend. Yes, not the last race of the championship but the last ever as the series has folded and won’t be holding a championship next year. 

Syd Richard Day announced on the Thundersports GB Facebook page that they had generous offers for the company to continue racing but had decided to hold on to the brand but not run a race series in 2023. He further added that they might reinstate the championship in the future. 

So, for the foreseeable, the riders will have to move to a different club and there will be one less race programme on our calendar for the spectator photographer.

The Thundersports GB race series also hosts the Military Inter-Services championships, with the members of the armed services racing in their individual class championships as well as racing the other armed services.

As you can imagine, this adds another dimension to the racing as inter-service rivalry is fierce. So they will be looking for a new club that can accommodate 20+ riders and their own championship for next year

Last weekend was difficult for me in regards to getting track side at Cadwell for the last ever Thundersports meeting. But as I haven’t missed an Inter-Service motorcycle race final for some time I pulled all the stops out to get there, jumping on my motorbike at the last minute and heading out to Cadwell in the fading light.

I managed to get to Cadwell to take in the last race on Saturday which was the Inter-Service race (I-S). It was due to start at 17:47 quarter to six (ish) for those not familiar with the 24 hour clock time keeping.

At this time of year that is late in the day for taking photos as the sun was due to set at just after six. However, there was enough light for the racers to safely get round the mini Nurburgring and for me to watch and snap a few pictures. 

Viewing from Park, with the few spectators that had stayed to watch, saw the pack of 22 Royal Navy Royal Marines (RNRM) combined team, Army and Royal Air Force riders came into view, with #133 Celvin Heaver from the Army setting the early pace.

The riders from all three services race in different classes in the Thundersports championships so there were 1000cc sports bikes along side 500cc naked machines in the I-S final. By the time they had reached Park corner, which is about half way round Cadwell, the pack was just starting to spread out. 

It wasn’t long before the RAF got up to race speed, with #181 Paul Cunvin on his not very aerodynamic but still fast 1000cc Honda taking the lead from Heaver which he kept for the rest of the race. #21 James Field, #60 Dave Langley and #53 Bradley Burn all from the RAF made up the top five.

#910 Aaron Evangelista was the next best Army rider in 6th with three more RAF riders next, #32 James Leslie, #43 Rob Vickerman and #4 Michael Riddle. The highest placed RNRM rider was #56 Brian Fuidge in tenth when the  chequered flag dropped.

Although there is a first past the post element as there is in all races and bragging rights it’s all about the team in this race. So the winners will be determined by who has the quickest and therefore highest percentage of riders towards the top of the results sheet. 

After the 8 laps it was no surprise that the Royal Air Force were crowned Inter-Service champions for the third year in a row. Individual overall champion and Army Road Racing Champion was Cpl Celvin Heaver from the REME.

Photographic Post Script

Continuing the military theme, at same time as the Thundersport meeting was being held, the RAF pairing of Tim Langham and Mark Middleton were racing their F2 class sidecar at the final round of the British Superbikes at Brands Hatch. 

Credit Olithephoto

Getting a wild card entry they were up against it with a full field of F1 sidecars. The duo did well all things considered taking P16 in both races over the weekend. Per Ardua Ad Astra.

Credit David Harbey

Thanks go out to Graeme Taylor for the Cadwell pictures taken on Sunday, you can see more of his work by following the links below.

Also Olithephoto and David Harbey for the sidecar images from Brands Hatch.

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