Classic Racing Motorcycle Club Championship Round 3 -Cadwell Park

Report by David Gowshall of DEEGEE Motorsport Photography

3^rd - 4^th June 2023

With several of my Pistonclick colleagues enjoying the Isle of Man TT Races, (yes, I’m green with envy), it fell upon me to take in the Optical Express Classic Meeting, held at my local circuit Cadwell Park.

The annual meeting always draws a good crowd who enjoyed some sunshine, although there was a cool northerly wind blowing throughout both days. The packed programme included 39 races and featured two “bill-topping” ACU Classic Championship races. 

With bikes in action, including sidecars, that stretch between the 1960s and 1990s, there was plenty to keep the spectators entertained.

As well as the competitive action there were a number of parade laps on both days and the paddock was open throughout proceedings allowing enthusiasts to “get up close” to the machinery on show. 

With the season only approaching its halfway stage there was still plenty to play for and the racing, played out in near perfect conditions, reflected that, with several lap records broken over the weekend.

Leading the way, in terms of wins and records over both days, on two and three wheels were star performers Joe Barton (#106) who emerged as victor in both ACU races, and Kieran Clarke and Andrew Johnson (#9), the latter pair, who held the previous record for three-wheelers, further reducing it by seven seconds over the weekend !!! 

Knowing Cadwell Park like the back of my hand, having attended race meetings there for over 50 years, at least once every season I like to challenge myself photographically by concentrating my efforts on those locations that are not always the first choice to capture the action.

I have to own up to being one of those who can occasionally be found located at the most popular spots with other “snappers”, like Hall Bends, the Mountain top grandstand for some “wheelie” action, Charlies 2 or Park Corner, but this weekend I was searching out some other less popular spots. 

One of my personal favourite locations, which allows a wide variety of different shots is on the inside of Coppice at the first, fast sweeping left hander at the end of the Start/Finish straight, as this location also overlooks the Chicane on the opposite side of the track. 

On the day it was also the warmest place on the circuit, sheltered from the chilly wind by the “coppice” that gives the corner its name.

The versatility of my 150-600mm telephoto lens provides endless opportunities at both ends of its range for all types of shots here, with machines coming from both left and right.

Walking up the hill from Coppice following the track brings you to Charlies Bend, the double apex right hand curve with a blind crest mid-curve for riders to negotiate.

Looking back downhill to Charlies 1 early in the race provides a nice head on shot of groups of machines, with the opportunity to capture the riders’ concentration reflected in their eyes through their visor.

Without moving, you can capture some good panning shots as the riders climb to the crest, with the hillside forming a nice plain foreground/ background, focussing attention on the subject in the centre of the shot.

Walking further, following the circuit, allows another head on shot looking back to the mid bend crest, with the trees now in full leaf, providing a good background.  

Again, without moving, there’s another good panning spot right in front of you as the riders lean in to take Charlies 2. Adding a bit of Dutch Tilt can add to the drama of the shot.

If panning is your thing, post yourself on the exit to Charlies 2, but instead of taking the standard head-on shot, pan left as the bikes accelerate onto Park Straight.

The mid-point of Park Straight provides an opportunity to catch the riders “flat out” on the tank and to capture the suspension being compressed as they almost “bottom out” in the dip.

An unusual left to right shot can be captured here looking back up towards the Gooseneck, with the sky providing a clutter free background, although I had to use the full extent of my telephoto lens range to capture the mid-pack image above.

It’s a long walk uphill and past Park Corner, a popular spot for capturing overtaking moves, and during the “golden hour” as the sun gets low in the sky at the end of the day, to my next “underrated” snapping location.

This is my usual first spot of the day, as the early morning sun is right behind you, and where I head to after I’ve driven through the entrance gate to the “mini-Nurburgring”.

It does help to have a step ladder here (I forgot to take mine last weekend) but head-on and panning opportunities still exist as the competitors negotiate Chris Curve at high speed.

Thankfully, it’s a downhill drive or walk to my next “unfashionable” spot, the Chicane, used for motorcycle events only. Looking down on the track doesn’t provide one of my favourite effects, but some close in sidecar shots, showing the passengers in particular earning their money, can be shot here.

Also available is a shot across to Coppice as the bikes appear from under the bridge before climbing up to Charlies 1. This, to some, provides a stunning panning shot, but one I’ve never mastered I have to admit. So I have to settle for a simple high shutter speed shot. A rear view shot as the field climb the hill in the first few laps of the race is on offer here too.

Finally, a new favourite for me, which I discovered only a few weeks ago at the British Historic Racing meeting, which offers a rear-view shot as the riders tip into the left-hander at the bottom of the Mountain.

There are many other locations round the scenic circuit in the Lincolnshire Wolds where some good images can be acquired, and I would highly recommend a visit to Pistonclick’s Cadwell Park Circuit Guide to help you find them.

Finally, to finish my report on last weekend’s action at Cadwell, here’s a few race winners from the event, including two very talented youngsters, 19 year old Joe Woodward (#46) and 16 year old Dean Widdowson (#6).

And yes, I couldn’t go without just one Mountain “wheelie” shot. This is Graham Hignett “giving it some” on his way to an unbeaten run of four victories over the weekend on his 400 Kawasaki Supersports machine. 

Pistonclick’s adopted “grass roots” rider Mick Pennell had what could best be described as an an “up and down” weekend at his “home” circuit in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

A solid run of results in his four races held on Saturday in which he picked up useful championship points in the Production and Superbike classes, competing on his FZ600 Yamaha, were the forerunner to an eventful Sunday.

After a hearty breakfast, which must have included three Weetabix, Mick settled on the grid for the first Production race, which was also the first of the Sunday race programme.

Helped by a flying start, and after being involved in a thrilling race between a number of riders, which Mick led at times, he eventually had to settle for an outstanding 5^th place overall, and 2^nd in class.

He followed up his very impressive run with another good run in the Superbike race just before lunch.

In the second production race immediately after lunch, Mick once again was running 5th in the overall rankings, and mounting a real challenge to those in front, when on lap 6, his front tyre cried “enough”, and he slid off at Park Corner.

Fortunately, after being checked over by the circuit’s medics he was passed fit to race again, but his bike looked decidedly “second-hand”, and he was forced to use his “spare” bike in his final race of the weekend. Unfortunately, mechanical problems, revealing themselves as a plume of blue smoke, brought his race to a premature end, and he was black flagged.

A closer inspection revealed Mick’s first choice race bike is damaged but has escaped relatively unscathed from its excursion across the grass, but with only a few days to Mick’s next planned outing next weekend at Pembrey, competing in the British Historic Racing Championship, Mick will be burning the midnight oil to ensure it is “race-ready”.

A weekend to remember for conflicting reason, but he emerged unhurt and encouraged by his performance, particularly on Sunday morning.

The CRMC circus, including Mick, will next be in action at the Optical Express Snetterton Classic on the first weekend of July.  

:DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography will be attending an eagerly awaited photography commission as the official photographer covering the Vintage Speed Trials at the splendid setting of Grimsthorpe Castle on the same date.

As a consequence the next opportunity to capture Classic motorcycle action for :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography will visit the Donington Park Classic Festival at the end of July.

You can see more of :DEEGEE: Motorsport Photography here.