Oulton Park Hosts Thrilling Road Racing Event
Saturday, March 23rd, marked the opening rounds of the 125 and 250GP ACU National Championship, DTR 250 GP Cup, and Two Stroke GP at Oulton Park, setting the stage for an electrifying road racing event.
With no qualifying laps, the first grid was determined by 2023 championship standings and club knowledge of the participating riders. This placed reigning champion Bobby Varey on pole, followed by Nick Sansome and Jim Hind.
Intense Racing Action
As the lights went out, Varey, astride his Fastline Superbike Preston TZ Yamaha, seized the initiative, posting lap times a staggering 2 seconds faster than the rest of the field. However, the battle for second place was a hotly contested, four-way scrap between Hind, Ian Mackman, Chris Moore, and Phil Atkinson, who impressively adapted to a bike he had only seen the day before.
Defending National 250cc Champion Bobby Varey dominated the six-lap race, claiming victory alongside the fastest lap of the race in a blistering 1 minute 49.13 seconds at an average speed of 88.80 MPH. Hind clinched second place, with Mackman rounding out the top three, both on TZ 250cc Yamahas.
Cup Class and 125cc Action
In the Cup class, Darrell Higgins initially led the charge on his DTR Racing-backed TZ 350cc Yamaha but was forced to retire on the fourth lap. Despite this, he set the fastest Cup Class lap of the race, clocking 1 minute 56.62 seconds at an average speed of 83.10 MPH. Victory ultimately went to Alex Penrice on his TZ 250cc Yamaha, with Joe Woodward and Roy Chapman taking second and third, respectively, both on TZ 350cc Yamahas.
Mac Parsons dominated the 125cc class, securing victory and the fastest 125cc lap in 2 minutes 03.74 seconds at an average speed of 78.31 MPH. Ian Austin and Spencer Hunt completed the podium.
Second Race Drama
The second race saw Varey’s Yamaha coasting to an early retirement, as well as a faller in the gravel at Old Hall, prompting a red flag. A fortuitous outcome, considering a departing racer’s caravan sent debris onto the track, necessitating repairs and cleanup.
Following the restart, Hind took control, leaving Mackman to fend off Atkinson and Moore. Hind ultimately won the six-lap race, with Mackman in second and Atkinson regaining form in third. Chris Moore narrowly missed the podium, finishing a mere 0.064 seconds behind.
Alex Penrice notched his second Cup Class victory, ahead of Roy Chapman and Ian Perks. Mac Parsons replicated his 125cc class win, setting another class fastest lap in 2 minutes 03.57 seconds at an average speed of 78.42 MPH. Spencer Hunt improved to second, ahead of Ian Austin, both on TZ 125cc Yamahas.
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