Various rising roads forces showed a sharp turn of pace during race action day one of this weekend’s Donington Park based, Thundersport GB meeting.
Market Rasen’s Phil Crowe kicked his 2020 racing season off in style, with a dominant GP1 Sportsman/Elite Race 1 triumph, taking class honours by over six seconds.
Seeded TT runner Crowe continued his accomplished pace on his own teams BMW in the corresponding Duke of Donington race stint, which saw him after 15 laps place second, just 0.694 behind Bradley Perie.
Aside from the 2010 Thundersport GP1 class Champion added established, proven Mountain Course racers in good form included Junior, Lightweight Manx GP lap record holder James Hind.
Bass Tyre Services/NLC supported Hind starred within the opening 600 Sportsman & Elite race, leading for over seven seconds before dropping back to second, which he maintained to the chequered flag.
Team mate, Oliver’s Mount Scarborough 400 lap record holder Dan Frear took 4th whilst sixth place was clinched by four times top ten Manx GP finisher Arnie Shelton.
The likes of Max Dixon, Roddy Taylor, Gordon Huxley Racing’s Jonathan Perry, reigning Steve Henshaw International Gold Cup runner-up Mike Norbury additionally all enjoyed top ten finishes as did Wigan’s Josh Daley.
Speaking via Twitter about a very creditable top six finish within the first of two Duke of Donington races, he candidly stated:
“Good first race, managed to go nearly 2 seconds faster than yesterday’s times. Ran on into the chicane with 3 laps to go which made it harder for myself as I was in 4th when I ran on. Looking forward to my 2x races tomorrow.”
Words by Stevie Rial