Roberton shows his classic form
By TMX Archives on 27th Apr 07
THE switch last year from Snowshill to a new site adjoining the established AMCA course at Colethrop Farm, Haresfield, saw the Cheltenham North Classic Club's traditional Pre-65 scramble season opener for British Bikes continue to flourish with over 100 entries.
This year, some wear and tear from practicing was evident at the track which, in the extremely dry conditions prevailing countrywide at the moment, produced dust from the word go but fortunately it was not as severe as it might have been.
News filtering through, in recent months, of a serious campaign this year by Andy Roberton on the Classic Championship scene, certainly came to fruition on Sunday when he demonstrated the exceptional ability that brought him so much success in the past.
Roberton totally dominated all of his seven races,
riding a pair of Ken Bayliss, Wayram Engineering-sponsored, brand new, Cheney BSAs - with a third one available as back up!
The meeting kicked off with the first of the three Greeves Championship races and with his old sparring partner, Ian Bain, absent, Ian Webster looked set to head the rest home on each occasion. As it turned out, he did indeed take
the three first place finishes but not without some keen competition at times from, in particular, Danny Albin (380) and Steve Salmon (JB 250). Steve was having problems finding the gears at times on John Blizzard's beautifully turned out 250, which puzzled the owner as it always seems to work fine before and afterwards!
British Bike Pre-65 Scramble
Colethrop Farm, Haresfield
(Cheltenham North Classic MCC)
Greeves Champs - Race One: 1 Ian Webster (360), 2 Danny Albin (380), 3 Dave Godley (360).
Race Two: 1 Webster, 2 Albin, 3 Steve Salmon (JB 250).
Race Three: 1 Webster, 2 Albins, 3 John Runnacles (250).
Pre-60 - Race One: 1 Ady Matthews (650 Tribsa), 2 Steve Gagg (650 Tribsa), 3 Chris Castles (650 Tribsa).
Race Two: 1 Dave Bell (650 AB Tribsa), 2 Gagg, 3 Castles.
Race Three: 1 Gagg, 2 Matthews, 3 Castles.
Up to 250cc - Races One, Two and Three: 1 Tom Willoughby (BSA), 2 Marvyn Lovell (BSA), 3 Steve Salmon (Greeves).
Pre-Unit Over 351cc - Races One, Two and Three: 1 Dave Bell (650 Triumph Metisse), 2 Phil Edwards (650 Tribsa) 30 Dave Cooper (650 Triumph Metisse).
251 to 350cc - Race One: 1 Andy Roberton (WE Cheney BSA), 2 Gary Bowden (Gold Star BSA), 3 Mick Beech (BSA).
Race Two: 1 Roberton, 2 Beech, 3 Chris Smart (BSA).
Race Three: 1 Roberton, 2 Andy White, 3 Beech.
1966 to 1974 - Race One: 1 Andy Roberton (WE 500 BSA), 2 Steve Salmon (370 AJS), 3 Phil Anslow (350 BSA).
Race Two: 1 Roberton, 2 John Pickering (500 BSA), 3 Mike Baker (441 BSA).
Race Three: 1 Roberton, 2 Ian Webster (360 Greeves), 3 Baker.
Unit Over 351cc - Race One: 1 Tom Willoughby (500 BSA), 2 Brian Ayres (500 Triumph Metisse.), 3 Dan Howe (441 BSA Metisse).
Race Two: 1 Willoughby , 2 Bob Stringer (500 BSA) 3, Richard Hunt (500 Cheney BSA).
Race Three: 1 Willoughby, 2 Ayres, 3 Hunt.
Open Race: 1 Andy Roberton, 2 Dave Cooper, 3 Richard Hunt 4) Dan Howe.
For full report, results and pictures see T+MX NEWS, Friday, April 27, 2007.