Waderacing at Castle Combe in the New Era Superclub

Friday, August 22, 2008

The weekend began with a light dusting of rain. Wade entered the track for the first ever time for the first qualifying session, SOT.  The team placed the 675 in a good 6th position with only local riders and an ex Castle Combe instructor ahead.  With an intermediate tyre choice he poled the 675 on the final lap.
 
Racing began with the fist SOT race.  Wade gambled on tyre choice and went for an intermediate front and dry rear.  After gaining the wholeshot he was pounded back to 8th due to the wet track and a brand new dry tyre offering no grip!  Once the tyre bedded in and the track dried the tyre choice came into its own. Wade was lapping over a second faster than the whole field he achieved a respectable 3rd.  The second SOT was a simple affair also being the first true dry time on track. Wade achieved 2nd ahead of all championship rivals but behind local Supersports rider Fagan.  The final SOT race gave Wade a battle with fellow 675 rider and championship rival John Simpson, after a good fight Wade found a route past and pulled a gap for 2nd position overall, extending his lead in the championship.

The F600 races was where Wade knew the challenge of the weekend lay.  With championship leader Cronshore lined up beside him for the first race the tension could be felt in the air.  The F600’s had been gridded behind all of the 30 probikes meaning the start would be a challenge.  Wade slotted behind Cronshore. Wade hounded the R6 until the last lap where he got perfect drive as the tyre dug deep into the surface firing the 675 towards Tower corner. He placed the 675 on the inside and took the lead with less than half a lap remaining.  Wade won the race by less than 0.5s.

The second race saw the F600 machines at the front of the grid and Pro bikes behind.  Again both riders were trying to psyche each other out.  Cronshore launched perfectly and Wade leaned on him round the first 120mph bend.  Wade was pushed wide though allowing Woodcock to slot in front of him.  This allowed Cronshore to open a lead of over a second on lap one.  Wade gained 2nd back at the end of the first lap and set about catching the R6.  After a lap he had achieved this when suddenly pressure was applied from a chasing Probike, Wade then made his move on the R6 at the same spot as before.  Gaining the lead he pushed very hard in constant low 1.14s to break a small gap.  As the trio entered the final lap less than 1.5s covered them and backmarkers were in play.  Wade won the race by under a second.  The gap in the championship is now at 14 points with just four races remaining.

Although Castle Combe was a new track the weekend was perfect for Waderacing gaining or extending the championship differences over their rivals at every race.  Five podiums from five races and a fastest lap of 1.14.1 made it a weekend to remember.

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