22/9/2004

CRMC Snetterton 18th & 19th September

The CRMC were at Snetterton in Norfolk for the 7th round of their championships, over the 18th & 19th September.

Greeves action was only in the 250cc European Class, with 2 present on the Saturday, Chris Maggs and Mervyn Stratford. The first outing for this class was held in fine conditions, although there was a strong headwind on the start/finish straight, but this was a tailwind on the back straight. Mervyn was the first Greeves home finishing in 7th place, with Chris taking 9th place. The second 250 race saw the weather conditions change with heavy showers which just about stopped for the start. Mervyn took 5th place in this one with Chris completing a brace of 9th places, incidentally Mike Hose took both wins on the Ariel Arrow.

Sunday saw an improvement in the weather with sunshine and the wind dropping somewhat. Chris and Merv were joined by 2 more Silverstones for the 250 Euro races, with both Jeff Bing and Clive Adley making an appearance. The first 250 race saw Chris finish highest Greeves in 7th, closely followed by Merv in 8th. Jeff finished 12th with Clive Adley taking 18th place. Mike Hose was again the winner followed by John Hynes (Ducati) in second.

Jeff Bing was the only Greeves and one of only a handful of 250's in the up to 500cc 'Race of Aces'. This was a special race laid on to celebrate 50 years of motorcycles at Snetterton. Jeff looked to have a good ride in this one, and took a credible 15th place in the up to 350cc class. The second of the 250 outings saw a close dice at the front between Hynes and Hose, with the verdict eventually going to Hynes. Merv was the first Greeves home, taking another 5th place, Chris followed up with another 7th, Jeff 9th and Clive Adley 15th.

RS

Greeves 1, 2, 3 at Pre TT Classic 2004!

The 2004 DeMontfort S100 Pre TT Classic on the Billown Circuit, Isle of Man saw Greeves machines taking all podium positions, although not in the same race!

The combined 250cc & 350cc Singles race was held on the Saturday Afternoon after final practice. Four Greeves lined up on the grid for the start of the race. John Loder in the 350 class & Paul Coward, Mervyn Stratford and Norman Williamson in the 250cc Class. The 350's saw a dominant ride from Bill Swallow on the Linton Aermacchi, with John Loder holding station in a comfortable 2nd place throughout, with Mike Hose (Bultaco) taking third. The 250's Saw Paul Coward take an early lead with Mervyn in second place, however lap 3 saw Paul retire, with Merv taking over at the front. Merv held on to take the win, from Ducati mounted 2nd and 3rd placed men Ted Fenwick and Roger Birkenhead. Norman Williamson took a credible 5th place on the Leighton Greeves. Consolation for Paul Coward as he picked up the prize for fastest lap on lap 2.

Monday's opening race was the was the 250cc Lightweight. Greeves interest was again with Mervyn Stratford and Norman Williamson. Paul Coward this time Yamaha mounted. The race looked as though it would be a Suzuki benefit with Ewan Hamilton taking the lead and Ariel Arrow mounted Mike Hose second. Merv had a race long battle with Suzuki mounted Danny Pullen. Norman Williamson was holding good position until he unfortunately retired at mid distance with a loose cylinder head at church bends. As the final lap drew close Mike Hose began pulling in Leader Hamilton, However drama unfolded on the last lap as the Leader fell at Castletown corner (Final corner) to gift hose the win. Mervyn got the better of Pullen to take a credible 7th place and also first single cylinder machine.

Ian Rycroft was in action on his big 420cc Greeves in the 500cc support race. He took an excellent third place behind the Honda of Alec Whitwell, and Seeley of Les Cross.

The 350cc Junior Race saw John Loder in action once more. He brought the Greeves home in 7th place. With Mike Hose (Honda) taking the Win, 2nd Chris McGahan (Honda) and 3rd Bill Swallow (Aermacchi). John rounded off the meeting with a fine win in the 750cc Classic on board the Nourish Weslake.

RS

350cc Singles - 1st Bill Swallow (Aermacchi 5), 2nd John Loder (Greeves 10), 3rd Mike Hose (Bultaco 9)

250cc Singles - 1st Mervyn Stratford (Greeves 71), 2nd Ted Fenwick (Ducati 76), 3rd Roger Birkenhead (Ducati 75)

500cc Support - 1st Alec Whitwell (Honda 37), 2nd Les Cross (Seeley G50 47), 3rd Ian Rycroft (Greeves 43)

7/5/2004

CRMC Mallory Park 3rd May

The CRMC held their annual May Bank holiday meeting at Mallory Park on the 3rd May. The day started out being a bit damp, with practice being held in wet conditions.

The rain stopped for the first race (250/350 twins), although the track was still very wet. Following the red flagging of race one after 6 or 7 riders had gone down at Edwina’s, proceedings were held up for an hour as the track was washed due to fuel spillage at this point.

The only Greeves interest was in the 250cc European class, with 6 entered. The first of these races saw Chris Maggs putting in a good performance, holding 3^rd place for most of the race, only to miss a gear at Edwina’s on the penultimate lap and drop back to sixth. Also at Edwina’s on the penultimate lap Norman Baker pulled out from what was looking to be a good top ten finish. Jeff Bing took his Silverstone to tenth, with Dave Whitehouse taking 16^th albeit a lap down, struggling with his number 2 machine. Incidentally Gearbox problems at the end of the race were to prevent him from competing in race 2. Dave Frost rounded out the Greeves results finishing in 21^st on his RAS 

Race 2 saw only 3 Greeves on the Grid. Chris Maggs was again top finisher, this time taking 8^th place. Jeff Bing 11^th and Norman Baker 15^th.

Mike Hose took both wins on the incredibly quick Ariel Arrow.

RS