Sand Racing Report 18^th April 2015

Its Saturday, its mid April, the sun is shining so it’s time for the racing fraternity to return to the sands of Vazon bay to renew their passion for speed. A healthy entry graced the 1^st of 9 local championship events which run through the summer months with 3 competitors so keen to race that they had entered into 2 different classes. Ricky Rive was in the easiest position as he rode his Honda CRF 250cc in both the Intermediate & the MX classes whilst his twin brother had to ride 2 different bikes, a Honda CRF 250cc in the MX class& a JRM 250cc slider in the adult slider class. Meanwhile Clint Blondel had decided to compete in 2 total different vehicles, his lengthend Purple Dragon racing car before having to change into full bike racing gear to compete in the new class introduced to the beach this year for local right hand sidecars. Everyone one on the program turned up to race but unfortunately the sound of Graham Carrington’s Jaguar Special racing car was not heard in competition as the differential was damaged towing the car down to the beach.

The sight of the sidecars was hopefully going to liven up the racing but it was only the 1^st race that saw all 3 out together as they all seemed to suffer problems either getting started or suffering problems whilst racing. The largest class of MX riders was totally dominated by Billy Rive on both course’s (the twisty MX or oval tracks) followed up by Billy Russell & Ricky Rive. This did not mean that there were no battles down through the rest of the field with the Le Messurier brothers showing an improvement over their riding from last season being able to mix in the mid field of this class. Pleasing to see that 2 new riders James Cameron & Sam De Carteret have joined this class. Slider class saw all the old faithful’s out as usual with Dave Cleal deciding that a new bike was required this season which proved to be a quick but difficult to handle as was very stiff. Joining this class was Billy Rive out on a 250cc machine who showed he could mix it with the larger bikes. Making a return to Guernsey was Dan Winterton riding Dave Cleal’s spare bike& he has guaranteed that he may have to come back for the clubs annual dinner in November when he took the first trophy up for grabs this season in taking the Coronation Vase. There were only 2 Intermediate riders but at least there were 4 cadets out there racing. Rhys Melass& Ben Le Prevost were out on the bikes they used last year whilst Dan Clark has progressed up to a new Honda 150cc slider bike & newcomer Harry Ogier, grandson of Brian Teed, also out on a slider, this one a Kawasaki 100cc. Once he gets use to getting away from the starting tape he should be more competitive in this class.

Of the 5 drivers that had all raced last year in the production cars 1400-1800cc, 3 were in new cars but it was Eric Trump who led the way thought he will have tough competition from Wayne Martel in his new MG & the other drivers were not far behind. Having had problems with his car last year Simon Carre had changed engines in his Honda Prelude over the winter only to have the same problems effect the running of this car. Making a return to the beach was Jamie Lucas in a 4wd VW Golf whilst Clinton Blondel was joined in the racing car class by Gary Duquemin& it was Clint who took the first piece of silverware up for winning by the car drivers taking the Connington Handicap Trophy.

Paul Stanford