Lamonde Racing 2024 – Round 5, Cadwell Park

Last weekend was Round 5 for Lamonde Racing’s 2024 season with the British Motorcycle Racing Club AKA Bemsee held at the iconic Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire. Cadwell is referred to by some as the “mini Nürburgring” with it’s tight turns and changes in elevation, it is easy to understand why. Perhaps the most famous feature or Cadwell is “The Mountain”, which is a sharp rise onto a plateau where bikes often wheelie or “get air”.

Practice and testing on Friday was in ideal racing conditions, however, the forecast for the weekend was not great, with on and off heavy rain predicted, this meant tyre choices and suspension settings were to be finalised minutes before each race – “Wet” tyres rely on standing water to stop them from melting and becoming useless, and of course, slicks offer next to no grip on a wet track. Cadwell park circuit takes around 40-50 minutes to dry after rain.

Matt #9

Matt continued his Thunderbike Sport campaign, qualifying 1st in class, second on track to Supertwin rider, Tommy Downes (#17) who was 2nd rookie behind Matt in Minitwins in 2019, so they have history and friendly rivalry, they are in different classes but respect each other and enjoy racing together. Ordinarily, the Bemsee race weekends have two races on Saturday and two on Sunday, however, given the weather and the resulting slower pace and the increased risk of incidents, it was decided that Saturday’s races would be held over 12 laps, with position points being awarded after 6 laps, and 12 laps. Matt got 1st in class in both halves of Saturday’s wet race, another 50 points towards the championship.

Sunday’s racing kicked off with a very welcome dry race, and Matt had company at the sharp end in the form of Josh Harvey (#11), the pair jostled for 1st and 2nd for the whole 6 laps, with Matt crossing the line just 0.713 Sec ahead of Harvey having overtaken on the last lap. For the second race, Josh started from pole position on the grid, having recorded the fastest lap in the first race of the day, Josh crossed the line 7.804 Seconds ahead of Matt for the win, with Matt 2nd, this was a wet race, and as Josh is no threat to Matt’s championship ambition, he wasn’t going to risk pushing hard than necessary as his pit board told him he had a near 10 second lead over the next rider in his class, Daniel Mercer #15 – discretion is often the better part of valour! Three wins, and one 2nd, great weekend’s work, bringing Matt’s points tally to 481 with two rounds to go.

For more information on Lamonde Racing 2024 – Round 5, Cadwell Park talk to Lamonde Automation Ltd