Whilst we were getting drowned and blown away on Anglesey, Mark Sharrock took Molnar Manx number 001 to the first Lansdowne event at Oulton Park.

Meantime, across the Irish Sea, a couple of hundred miles west of Anglesey, Wattie Brown took Hans-Georg Stutz's 90 bore to a comfortable victory on the roads in the classic race at Cookstown.

I was quite nervous with this meeting, the first round of the Championship, but looking forward to a good result.

Went through scrutineering with no problems and then signed on, got my programme to check out the competition and list of entries, good grid of 30 riders with the majority being on 500's. Practice went well with no major problems (other than the swing arm being loose!!) anyway I was fastest by 0.1 of a second, taking pole position with championship favourite, Duncan Fitchett on the second row.

Race 1
The flag drops, I'm second into Old Hall corner to Nick Roberts, got good drive down the Avenue and took the lead round Island bend but I knew both Duncan and Nick were on my tail. Stayed in the lead for the opening lap and held it to Clay Hill when Duncan came past. I stayed with him for a lap and he gradually moved away, the bike was behaving strange I tried to close the gap but it was just not handling. I managed 2nd be it 4.5secs behind. On return to the paddock I realised the problem (another broken Falcon rear shock unit!!) Between races we jetted down, managed to source some old NJB units from the most helpful guy in the paddock (Dave Birkinshaw), with a bit of work we got them to fit.

Race 2
The flag drops, I'm second into Old Hall corner to Nick Roberts again, got good drive down the Avenue and past him (back end feels soft but ok) again both Duncan and Nick were on my tail, stayed in the lead for the opening lap and held it again to Clay Hill when Duncan came past. I stayed with him and could tell he wanted to put a quick lap in to break me, it didn't work I stuck with him for all six laps but couldn't quite get him it was 0.8 of a second over the line, both Duncan and myself were 12 secs clear of 3rd.

I don't think it's going to a one horse race as people may suspect (Old Faithful will surely be there abouts come the end of the season).

Roll on Brands.

Mark

The club had booked the new Ty Croes coastal circuit for a practice day on the Friday, this being the CRMC's first ever visit to this circuit on the Isle of Anglesey. This would give team Molnar Manx the opportunity to test some setup modifications to suit team new boy Mike "spike" Edwards

Warm Up

Unfortunately Friday dawned wet and windy fit only for ducks so we learnt very little other than it's always cold in Wales.

Assemble Area

Saturday race day started off, dry, with Mike taking an emphatic win on the 350, team mate Vanni 4th and my old man having a wobble round 6th in class. The 500 was not so successful 3rd for Mike as we experimented with the setup. Then the heavens opened leaving the rest of the weekend wet, not that this bothered Mike and Vanni who had a 1st and 3rd. The 500 race got a bit exciting when the unfortunate Alan Oversby slid off infront of Mike who tried evasive action but couldn't help running over Alan's legs on his way to a bit of grass tracking. Now towards the back of the field Mike produced the ride of a lifetime with some adrenalin pumping overtaking moves passing people on the corkscrew but ran out of laps before he could close down eventual winner Lee Gourlay. We had a good night in the pub afterwards!

Tactics

We awoke on Sunday to constant drizzle but at least the wind had died down. The team had a stunning 1, 2 in the first 350 race with Vanni beating Gourlay to second place. Unfortunately the success went to his head and he binned it in the 350 National which Mike won as well as the next 350 race with Vanni going down again! The 500 National was a real thriller with Mike and Gourlay having a right good ding dong never separated by more than 3 meters until Gourlay lost the back with 2 laps to go. This time round Vanni not crashing. The final race was a Molnar Manx demonstration of pure class with Mike easing it into first with Luke Notton second on Brian Camp's 95 bore.

Quick Talk

So Mike goes to the next round at Lydden (luckily not in Wales) leading all the championships he is competing in on a Molnar Manx.

Word: Richard Molnar
Pictures: Jennifer Edwards

Classic Club - Pembrey 22-23 March 2008

Andy Molnar and Mike Edwards

Team Molnar Manx 'new boy' Mike Edwards started his classic racing career with a bang, taking the lead from Lea Gourlay at the end of the first lap of his first ever classic race. Although Gourlay went on to regain the lead and ultimately narrowly win the 1st race, Edwards showed that with the 95 bore Molnar Manx, he will certainly give the established classic stars a run for their money.

Talking Tatics

Mike enjoyed riding the ultra short stroke 350 even more than the 500. The weather conditions were atrocious with freezing temperatures gale force winds then heavy rain!

Bad weather

Suffice to say Mike found the limit of adhesion of our Avons, and then went a little too far......! He ended the weekend with 2 wins 7 seconds and a crash. Not a bad start.

Grass tracking

Team mate Vanni Jensen had some good results too with a couple of 3rds and other top 6 placings plus a collection of the best welsh mud when he slipped of his 350!

Vanni Jensen

Roll on Anglesey 26-27th of April. It must be warmer there.

Word: Richard Molnar
Pictures: Jennifer Edwards