CRMC Donington Classic Festival Review

Posted on 1st August 2024 at 22:41

Round 5: CRMC Donington Park, The Classic Festival - WOW what a brilliant meeting – again! That makes it two in a row. Donington is always our biggest event of the year and the full grids, very busy parades and plenty of spectators were testament to this. For Myself and Rusty as commentators it’s always an event that we very much look forward to, and a very busy one too.

CRMC Donington Park: 27-28 July 2024 - Race Report by Jono Yardley

Rusty did an excellent job of ‘holding the fort’ up in the tower, while I concentrated on trying to talk to as many riders as possible. I estimate that out of the 300 plus riders, I got to speak to about 200 of them. And the common theme was that they had all had a great time and really enjoyed themselves.

Of course the one thing that always helps a weekend go well is the weather, and apart from a minor shower on Saturday which lasted for only 10 minutes, we had near perfect conditions for racing all weekend and what could be better? One of the best circuits in the country, with wonderful riders, riding wonderful machines and of course the brilliant super – friendly paddock atmosphere all combined to make it a super event.

Jono grabs a quick word before the start of the Wheatcroft Trophy Race

So where do I start in trying to name those that stood out? It’s always a tough call, and the last thing I want to do is to keep on naming the usual suspects who always feature at the front, so my first port of call has to be the team of riders who made their way from Germany, just to race at this event on their AWO Samson’s;- Jens Herfort (250RS), Sven & Jens Uhde (both 350 RS mounted). The Race bike of the meeting is always chosen by Chief Tech, Keith Miller and his team, and in discussion with him, they simply couldn’t decide which of the AWO’s should get the award, as they all were beautifully presented, so we made the decision to give it to all three. A decision I think few would argue with and surely just reward for making the huge effort and expense to race with us.

Sven Uhde on his AWO RS350

AWO RS 350 ridden by Jens Uhde

Jens Herfort on a AWO RS250

Of course at the Saturday evening presentation, when I announced the award I always knew the language would be an issue, so when I asked one of their team if he spoke English, the reply (in perfect English) ‘That well I should do as I live in Crystal Palace mate’ gave everyone a great laugh, as Jono Biden jumps into the hole he had created! Ha ha ha Love it.

Mark Taylor getting to grips with the Manx Norton

In the Lansdowne series, it is always great to see and hear almost 40 proper British singles charging flat out and into Redgate, but the man who led every time and went on to win was Mark Taylor aboard Andy Ashley’s Manx Norton. I think we can all safely say that Mark has now properly got to grips with the Norton and is obviously thoroughly enjoying racing it.

Adam Carson lays down some rubber on his Yamaha YZF750 (42)

Another rider who is obviously enjoying his racing is Adam Carson. His YZF 750 Yamaha, while proving no match for the 916 Ducati of Ant Hart, still gained him some great results including two second places in Sundays Superbike 750 races.

Two riders that were very quickly noticed for their stunning speed were Phil Stead and Jack Nixon both riding TZ 350’s in the 350GP class. Phil is undoubtedly one of the most respected two stroke specialists of his generation, with an impressive history of having beaten the likes of Mcguiness, David Jefferies, and Ian Lougher. He took a win and a second, but unfortunately had a DNF in the ACU Post Classic Wheatcroft trophy race. Jack had taken time out from his GP2 Championship to ride the TZ and was rewarded with three straight wins. Obviously he made the change from the GP2 Kramer to the TZ look very easy. I can assure you it isn’t.

Phil Stead cruising to a victory

Jack Nixon looking very confident on the bright yellow TZ

Also catching our commentator's eye...

On a completely different tack, it was great to see no less than three TZ 750’s out in the Post Classic 750 races. Tony Hart, Leon Lerego and Paul Allender were the ones racing and it was a perfect compliment to the excellent display of TZ 750’s in the Melbourne Loop Grand Prix display.

Leon Lerego piles on the coals on his TZ750

Leon and Paul were virtually matching each others times all weekend and it very obvious that they thoroughly enjoyed being out on track together, dicing for the same piece of tarmac. In their own words; ‘We might be getting too old for this, but it’s great fun’

Paul Allender cresting the Coppice turn on his green TZ750

The choice that Rusty and I made for the commentators choice was Jorge Halliday who showed his Thundersport Championship winning speed on the 750 YZF. Very very impressive methinks.

Jorge Halliday was an impressive sight on his Yamaha YZF750 (9)

Anyway, without any time to catch our breath, we look forward to our next meeting at Oulton Park. We haven’t been for some time and it has to be another of the best circuits in the country. The event is spread over three days as you’re not allowed to race on two consecutive days there.

The Sunday is a great chill out day and there will still be stuff to do – I’m organising a bicycle competition with three elements – speed, obstacle and slow riding. There is also a wine tasting event, plus Spike Edwards is running a training session which every rider will get lots out of.

So get your entry in, let’s make it another great meeting.

Jono

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