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Whilst attentions for pure road racing superfans transcended upon the Bob Smith Spring Cup and TT 2023 press launch, it was easy to forget that a selection of international, national roads pilots were fine tuning their pre-season preparations at the Wirral 100, Oulton Park meeting.
Putting to one side, a fare tip-off from the BSB opener at Silverstone, Bathams Racing’s Craig Neve was quickly back in good form.
Neve, seeded No.20 for the Superbike, Superstock, Senior races of TT 2023, finished agonisingly close to capturing Carl Roberts/Emjess Racing Powerbikes victories.
In both eight-lap races, the Immingham racer finished below 0.38 behind class winner times two Ben Luxton.
Placing third twice behind Luxton, Neve was former TT Privateers Championship runner-up, PRL/Moto Hub’s Sam West.
Prospective TT debutant Marcus Simpson, hoping to follow racers like West, in becoming a proficient exponent of the fabled, mythical Mountain Course, looked sharp.
Showing solid form on both 600cc, 1000cc steeds, the second AS Racing Club Supersport race, would see ‘Spartacus’ finish a close runner-up to race winner Chris Mort.
Another Chris, Manx GP podium finisher last year Moore, new to the Super Twins TT seeded rider ranks, took respective second, third place finishes from Saturday’s Super Twin race stints.
Chipping away with his new 1000cc Honda mount, reigning Senior Manx GP winner Stephen Smith, bagged a first race win of 2023, edging out new IRRC entrant Forest Dunn, for Anglesey Vans Open Challenge race honours.
PreZ Racing’s Paul Jordan was another roads scene member chalking up the miles as were James Chawke, brother Liam Chawke, Andy Lovett, Rodger Wibberley and Southern 100 specialist Adrian Kershaw.
Photo’s by Allister Dickson (Startline Photography)
Words by Stevie Rial #dontletfearcontrolyou
