A top weekend of mud, sun and dust with NORA CRS Team
Whoop Whoop first round of the British Cup and at one of the best tracks in the UK.
We headed to Landrake for Round 1 of the British Cup, with the event being held on a Sunday/Monday it was nice not to have the Friday evening dash to the track.
Arriving in glorious sunshine, we caught up with fellow NORA CRS riders and proceeded to walk the track and chat strategy for the weekend ahead.
Lasy year in the 65 class, Rafe managed to achieve 10th Overall, so we hoped to repeat or better that result.
We awoke Saturday morning to heavy cloud and rain, the track was well prepped so took the majority of the rain and a very clever change to the timetable meant, all groups were able to participate in qualifying and 2 races, as promised.
Qualifying – Rafe quickly got to grips with the track and qualified an impressive 8th. The track was nice and tacky with ideal conditions, however, the rain had set in.
Race 1 – With a cracking start Rafe was up and running with the top 5, the rain was making the track hard going and having suffered a few tumbles and being unable to pick the bike up in corner, meant Rafe crossed the line in 15th.
Race 2 – The rain had stopped and the track was drying out nicely. Cracking start by Rafe and he was again running with the top 5, when he dropped the bike out of sight, he was super quick to jump back on again, but lost 2 places in the processed. But happy with the 7th place he achieved.
Day 2
Race 3 – No rain overnight and the track had been prepped well ready for the day a head. Another good start, but a tumble meant we lost pace with the top 5 and was sitting in 10th. Rafe hunted down the riders and made awesome progress through the race catching up with riders and passing them with ease, coming home with an 8th.
Race 4 – Having fallen offer in every race, we told Rafe, stay on the bike if you can, look for clear lines. Cracking start, again running with the top 5, however, half way round the first lap, Rafe dropped the bike, he decided to change his lane from outside to inside and hit the post! He quickly composed himself and set himself into “Hunter” mode and fought hard to finish 9th.
Overall Rafe came 8th and bagged himself some well earned prize money, which topped off a brillant weekend. Both NORA and Thornbury MX laid on a superb event, well ran and thought was given to faciliaite younger riders in the wet conditions. Special thanks to the Medics (Safe Hands Medical Serives Ltd) who helped Rafe pick up his bike which was heavy with mud and even kept hold of his goggles for him. Great Weekend and Rafe is currently in 6th place in the British Cup Championship.
