SMT Racing’s superb start to the 2013 British F1 Sidecar and Superstock Championships continued at Thruxton at the weekend with wins and podiums from team members Tim and Tristan Reeves and Adam Jenkinson.
The Reeves brothers were again in invincible form around the Hampshire venue and, despite inclement conditions, duly took pole position for the first of the British F1 Sidecar Championship races, which was held over until Sunday when the weather was considerably better. Cut to eight laps due to a congested timetable, the Kent duo resisted pressure from Sean Hegarty/Calum Lawson in the early stages before edging away and when the latter dropped out on the penultimate lap, they were able to come home for a commanding 13 second victory.
Later in the day, they completed their double which was made slightly easier with the non-appearance of the Hegarty/Lawson outfit, whilst the race was also brought to an early end after Phil Sloane fell out of the chair of reigning Champion Roger Lovelock. The results meant that with four wins from four starts, Tim and Tristan maintained their 100% record and with the maximum 100 points, they already have a formidable looking 47-point advantage in the Championship table.
For Manchester’s Jenkinson, it was oh so close to being a repeat performance as he contested the second round of the National Superstock 1000cc Championship, which also had its qualifying interrupted by the rain. Again on the pace from the off, Adam lined up on the front row for the 16-lap race and immediately slotted into third on the opening lap. There was little to choose between Adam, David Johnson and Steve Brogan but as the race moved into its final third, Adam moved up to second and was well placed to overhaul Johnson when the race was ended prematurely due to a crash. Nevertheless, the 20 points for second moved him on to 45 overall and gives him a 20-point cushion over Johnson.
Speaking later, team owner Robin Croft said; “It’s been another great weekend for the team and was almost a carbon copy of the results from Brands Hatch a week earlier. We knew that it would be a little bit more difficult getting the bike set-up for Jenko as it’s still very new to everyone but it didn’t show and he looked comfortable throughout the three days whatever the weather. Conditions were tricky but he was simply unlucky to be in the wrong place at the wrong time as he was just sitting in second place biding his time behind Johnson. He felt confident with the pace and was planning to make his move in the last couple of laps but that’s what can happen when a race gets stopped early.”
“His pace was excellent and he ran in the top three all weekend and if anyone had told me two weeks ago we’d get first and second and have a 20-point lead after the first two rounds, I’d have taken it. As for Tim, we’re going to have to call him Ronseal as he does exactly what it says on the tin! He felt confident of taking pole position and the race wins and that’s exactly what he did. He was under pressure though in the first race and it certainly wasn’t easy but he took a great double again and with five wins and a second from our first six races, we’re a very happy team and very much looking forward to our local round.”
The third round of the series takes place at SMT Racing’s local circuit at Oulton Park on May 4-6.
Photo by Glynne Lewis.
