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Next to take part in Road Racing News, revamped Oliver’s Mount Top 8 series is CB 500 lap record holder, Kingston Upon Hull’s Adam Shelton.
2015 Thundersport GB Superstock 1000 Champion, his answers to the set of questions, are as follows:
Q1: First memory of Oliver’s Mount?
“I was 16, me and my old man fitted one of my Superteens race engines into my Aprilia RS50. It was quite funny really; the chain was on the wrong side, so we mounted the swinging arm upside down and the rear wheel was in backwards.
I rode up to Oliver’s Mount on it and did some very spirited laps in the dark while nobody was watching, probably a bit stupid but I remember thinking what a crazy place.”
Q2: Favourite part about racing at the mount?
“I’d never actually been to watch a race meeting at Oliver’s Mount before racing there, as I didn’t want to put myself off doing it to be honest.
I’ve never been to the TT, or any road race for that matter so I’ve never experienced anything like a road racing paddock, so it’s most definitely the people it brings together.
That, and sitting in the cafe with a coffee on a normal day thinking how crazy it is that every now and then, they cover this place in air fences so we can throw ourselves past it as fast as we can on motorbikes.”
Q3: Favourite section of Scarborough course?
“It’s got to be braking at the bridge into Drury’s. The way the track swoops into the hairpin means you hammer on the brakes at what would normally be the wrong side of the track. It’s great fun sliding all the way to the other side of the track without catching the rear tyre on the grass as you tip in.
The right into the Esses, leaning as close to the fence as you dare nicking a bit of curb if you can, as soon as you need a touch of front brake to tip into the right a bump bucks you out the seat and sends the thing all over the place. It’s such a hairy bit of track, the more ridiculous the entry the faster it seems to be.
Oh, and finally the whole Jefferies Jumps section. You’re flat out in 6th, you just point the bike at the postcode you hope to end up in and pray for the best. Honestly, you’re just a passenger through there it’s hilarious.”
Q4: Best moment thus far at Scarborough?
“It’s got to be the Sunday morning race at the Barry Sheene Festival last year. I had a target lap time in my head however, I’d hit a bit of a block whereby I was improving everywhere consistently, but the lap time wasn’t coming down.
I had one good rear tyre left in the van and we stuck it in for that race, we won, and the lap time came easy.
I rolled into the awning and sat there for a moment waiting for everyone to run back thinking ‘bloody hell that was up there with the most fun I’ve ever had’, everyone turned up and we were all just full of beans, that was probably the best moment.”
Q5: All time Scarborough racing hero?
“Guy Martin, I watch all his stuff he’s a bloody legend isn’t he.”
Q6: Is there one machine in particular that you would like to race at Scarborough?
“I’d love a go on an Aprilia RS660 mini or super-twin, I’m confident I’d go well on one.”
Q7: One word to describe Oliver’s Mount?
“Magic.”
Q8: Most respected racing rival at Scarborough?
“I think anyone who sits on the grid deserves equal respect really.
The Marshals who stand there in all weathers to scoop us up off the floor need a mention too, my chain came off in qualifying and the ride back in the van was so funny, the guy was class.”
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
