Luck.........Well whats that then?

August Bank holiday meant for the annual trip to Cadwell Park, Lincolnshire and one of the teams favourite circuits, an interesting and exciting circuit that was renowned for throwing up a few suprises. Unfortunately for Brian and the Banks Racing team this was the case but only in the negative sense with Mechanical failure on the grid putting pay to any chance of a finish this weekend.

Saturday started well and Brian was revved up to put in a good performance this weekend, the first free session went well and they posted the third fastest time, with slight adjustments Brian hoped to focus on keeping at the top of the time sheets but this was soon curtailed as he had a severe migraine and after resting between sessions could only manage tenth.

With the weather continually blustery conditions had not settled and as the first qualifying session started everyone looked to put in a strong performance in case a second opportunity didn’t arise. Brian continued his strong form and mid way through the session was running third. After pitting for some slight adjustments Brian pushed on in search of a better time but as he began to make his improvements he came across a group of slower riders and with such difficulty to pass on the slender circuit finishing the session sixth. ‘That was frustrating, I had a good rhythm this morning but just kept catching the traffic through the woodland section. My first two sectors were really good and I was chasing down pole setter Guiver and had caught him then we ran into the traffic and I lost 1.5 seconds over the woodland section to still match my best time. We were easily front row if not pole, but hopefully this afternoon will sort it!’

The rain came just as second qualifying began and nearly all the riders opted not to bother going out with nothing to learn or gain.

With the weather restored to its best for Race Day morning warm–up gave the team chance to test the changes made for second qualifying which looked to be positive so it was just the long wait as the 125 race was the last of the day!

Determined to put an end to his podium drought Clark was fully focused on the job at hand but as he circulated on the sighting lap water began to pour from the radiator and instantly Brian knew what the problem was but also knew it wasn’t able to be solved on the grid. In sheer desperation he lined up to to take the start but the machined struggled to pull away and he dropped down to twelth, determined he managed to get up to eight but with the machine cutting out and performance seriously hindered it was a losing battle. When the race was stopped on the fifth lap for an accident Brian knew it was over and although he re took his place on the starting grid he didn’t manage a lap in the re-start.
‘Well that was as about as bad as it can get, the race today was for the taking quite easily and although anything can happen in racing we were 100% in with a shout for the win but racing changes so quickly and you just have to put up with it. The cylinder head insert has cracked causing water to get into the firing chamber, theres nothing anybody could have done and Pete is the most meticulous guy I know! We’ll we’ll just have to do it all again when we get to Croft’ said an upbeat but incredibly annoyed Clark.

Round 10 is at the charismatic Croft circuit near Scotch Corner in North Yorkshire on September 11th – 13th. To support the team and keep up to date with progress contact Brian at brian@brian-clark.co.uk or 07714018060