Abington Classic Scramble - 22 July 2007

SCOTTISH CLASSIC RACING MOTORCYCLE CLUB'S ABINGTON SCRAMBLE
by Richard Winn

A proper 1950's style scrambles course complete with water splash and a very long straight produced some tremendously exciting racing on a day which best suited the big four stroke machines. An exception to this was Jim Allan on his flying Bultaco Metisse who continued his good run of form with victory over arch-rival and current class champion Ray McManus in the pre 65 up to 350cc class. In third was Eoin Monroe in a terrific debut ride with the club.

The mighty Peter Jackson was in a class of his own in the pre 1960 Class with his brother Colin being pipped for second by Mike Bell. The pre 70's saw a first ever race win for Jim Allison on his Joe Maxwell built B50 BSA but he couldn't stop Phil Nelson taking the overall with two stroke CZ mounted Michael Dobie in third. Landowner George Hodge showed his class in the bigger pre 65 class from Colin Jackson and Lewis Bell who rode brilliantly in his first ride on a four stroke, a beautiful Triumph Metisse belonging to his Dad Mike.

Keith Mason from Carlisle rode well in his comeback ride with the club but was beaten by fellow Bultaco man Derek Macaulay and the spectacular Tommy Anderson the pre 75's up to 300cc.The bigger pre 75 class saw some good battles between the CCM's of Norman Barrow and Keith Barnes but machine trouble kept Keith out of the overall results leaving the ever consistent Grant McClure to take second ahead of a very stylish Steven Riddell on his CZ.

Richard Charlton was lightening quick in winning the Twinshock class but was relentlessly pursued by the all action Paul Chiappa who just took Richard in a thrilling finish to their second race. In third equal was Richard's Dad Ian and JBR Honda mounted Simon Watson. However in the third Twinshock race after the interval Simon took a heavy fall and fractured his pelvis with the result that the meeting was abandoned. Prior to this unfortunate accident there had been wins in the over 50's and 60's respectively for Ken Soutar and Norman Barrow with Keith Barnes winning the under 40’s and Derek Macaulay the over 40’s. It was a sad end to a great meeting and we all wish Simon a speedy recovery.

RESULTS

PRE 60 1) Peter Jackson 2) Mike Bell 3) Colin Jackson

PRE 70 1) Phil Nelson 2) Jim Allison 3) Michael Dobie

PRE 75 UP TO 300cc 1) Tommy Anderson 2) Grant McClure 3) Andrew Alston

PRE 65 UP TO 350cc 1) Jim Allan 2) Ray McManus 3) Eoin Monroe

PRE 65 OVER 300cc 1) George Hodge 2) Colin Jackson 3) Lewis Bell

PRE 75 UP TO 300cc 1) Tommy Anderson 2) Derek Macaulay 3) Keith Mason

PRE 75 OVER 300cc 1) Norman Barrow 2) Grant McClure 3) Steven Riddell.

TWINSHOCK 1) Richard Charlton 2) Paul Chiappa 3=) Simon Watson and Ian Charlton

UNDER 40's 1) Keith Barnes 2) Tommy Anderson 3) Marl Johnston.

OVER 40's 1) Derek Macaulay 2) Michael Dobie 3) Jim Allison

OVER 50's 1) Ken Soutar 2) Graeme 'the hat' Bell 3) Tony Hegarty

OVER 60's 1) Norman Barrow 2) Phil Nelson 3) John Bethell