The Mitchells of Mansfield supported brothers were running second fastest through the early stages of qualifying but dropped to third to start the first race from a second row grid position.

Ben said: “There was a lot of traffic out there and I was unable to get a clean lap in so pulled in to the pits for a while. We went back out and managed to get one fast lap in to finish third overall and fastest in the 600 class.”

As the first race got underway Ben and Tom maintained third place overall and had built up a substantial lead in their own class by the half way stage of the race when they moved ahead of Holland/Ramsey on lap 12. By this time they and the race leader were into the back markers and by the end of the 20 lap affair they took the chequered flag for second place overall and lapped everyone except the top 10 outfits.

They set the fastest lap in their own class with a 50.295s – 98.06mph which set a new lap record and were only 0.026s away from the fastest time recorded in the F1 class; an amazing achievement after giving away 400cc to the 1000cc outfits.

Starting the second race from the fifth row the Birchall brothers completed the first lap in eighth position. But they soon began to reel in the outfits ahead and by the half way stage of the 20 laps they were up into second place once again. Holland/Ramsey retook second place on lap 11 but two laps later the Birchalls once again got the better of them and settled into second place. But they didnt reckon with Kershaw/Clark who were gradually reeling them in and on the penultimate lap were just 0.2s adrift.

On the final lap Kershaw managing the overtake and snatched second place at the chequered flag with the Birchalls finishing in third place overall but once again taking a decisive victory in their own class, lapping all but the top seven riders.

Ben said:

“We had a great weekend at our local track and really enjoyed the experience.

MASSIVE Thanks to all our sponsors and supporters, especially those who came along to cheer us on.”

These two top results move the brothers up to second place in the rider standings on 50 points after contesting just three of the five rounds to date.

Southern 100

Ben and Tom now turn their attention to the Isle of Man Southern 100 races.

Practice takes place on Monday and Tuesday ahead of a six lap sidecar race on Wednesday and the Manx Gas Sidecar championship race run over eight laps on Thursday.

The post Amazing Mallory Park Performance for Birchall Racing appeared first on Birchall Racing.

Once again Ben and Tom Birchall scored maximum points in the British 600 Cup when they travelled to their local track of Mallory Park for an extra round of the championship on Sunday.

Image Credit: Alan Lygo

Although they were using their LCR 600cc Honda and were therefore at a disadvantage against the 1000cc machines in the F1 class Ben and Tom were in their element and beat all the F1 outfits to secure pole position for first 12 lap race.

As the race got underway the Mitchells of Mansfield supported riders were running in third place but on lap two they overtook Holland/Watson to move into second place overall and although they were very close to the leaders they remained in second place to the chequered flag.

They took their class win by a large margin from Bennett/Cain to further extend their lead at the top of the rider standings in the 600 Cup.

Starting once again from the front row Ben and Tom didn’t get such a good start and settled into fourth place on the first lap. Try as they may, they were unable to make a pass on Walker/Hawes until at last on lap seven they made their way past and made the move stick.

Image Credit: Alan Lygo

They then proceeded to chase Holland/Watson for second place but the red flag brought the race to an early end after 11 of 18 laps and they had to settle for third place overall and another decisive win in the 600 Cup class.

Ben said:

“it was another great weekend of racing for us and we continued to find success in our class with two good wins.

Most importantly we secured pole position and two podium placed results against the faster and bigger engine capacity F1 machines which, for our 600cc is a great set of results.

“Many thanks to Stuart Hicken and his team for putting on such a good meeting; it was a really good weekend of racing.”

Ben and Tom now turn their attention back to the world championship as they prepare to set off for Assen in the Netherlands for the next round of the championship which takes place on Sunday, August 7.
Main image credit: Wally Walters

Words: Helen Pask

The post Birchalls Bonnanza at Mallory Park appeared first on Birchall Racing.

Marvellous Mallory park

The Mallory Park Bike Bonanza is a late but welcome addition to the  RKB F1 sidecar calendar. The date was added to help celebrate 60 years of racing at Mallory park and we can’t think of any better way to spend this coming weekend.

Ben and Tom will once again be challenging for top honours in the 600 Cup and will no doubt be having a go at some of the larger 1000cc machines while they’re at it. It promises to be a fantastic weekends racing and a really great weekends entertainment as the sidecars will be joined by all manner of vintage motorcycles and sidecars for what promises to be one of the nicest weekends on the Motorcycle racing calendar.

Over the weekend, spectators will get the chance to rub shoulders with some of their heroes from the world of Motorcycle racing.  Michael Dunlop (Sunday), Bradley Smith (Saturday), Ian Hutchinson (Sunday), Mick Grant, Alex George, Sammy Miller, Chas Mortimer, Colin Seeley, Ron Chandler, Trevor Nation, Ray McCulloch, Adrian Craig, Stan Woods and Austin Hockley are all lined up to appear this weekend at the Mallory Bike Bonanza.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the friendliness of the people extends to the racing on the Mallory Park track! Mallory is a fast circuit, so fast in fact that a couple of chicanes have had to be added in recent years to slow the bikes down but true to the vintage nature of the weekends events, those chicanes are scheduled not to be in use this weekend.

The 1.3 mile Mallory Park Circuit also features a vicious hairpin that demands respect and the seemingly endless Gerrards bend. It’s an intense circuit that’s a real test of skill and always produces close fought and exciting racing.

This weekend is the ideal opportunity for Ben and Tom to stretch their lead in the 600 Cup competition before they travel over to Assen in Holland to take part in the FIM Sidecar F2 World Trophy.

We spoke to Ben and Tom earlier in the week to get their thoughts on this weekends racing and the Mallroy Bike Bonanza

Ben Birchall:

We love coming down to Mallory Park, it’s such a great place to come and race and we always get a really warm welcome Here.

It’s a real privilege to be celebrating 60 years of racing at the Mallory Park Bike Bonanza, were hoping for a big turn out because  it’s going to be a great weekend

Tom Birchall

We’re really looking forward to returning to Mallory Park, not only for the racing but also to see all the old bikes and sidecars that will be there.

It’s going to be a tough challenge At Mallory but we’re looking to grab some more points before we set off for Assen in a couple of weeks

 

First time at Mallory Park?

If you’ve not been down to Mallory Park in Leicester before you’re in for a real treat.

Nestled in the heart of the Leicestershire countryside, Mallory Park offers spectators a fantastic opportunity to view the racing from all parts of the track. while not as big as some of the UK’s more well known Circuits, what Mallory lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in stature. The infield has pretty lakes and lush, grass covered hills that form a natural amphitheatre, the perfect place to watch the competitors doing battle out on the track.

Mallory is known as the friendly circuit and for good reason, the staff are a joy and the facilities are very pleasant. Pop into the cafe down at Mallory Park and you’re in for another treat! This place has almost legendary status in the world of track side catering and it’s not difficult to see why once you pay them a visit.

Getting to Mallory Park

By Car:

From the M1 junction 21 and M69 junction 3, follow the B4114 towards Narborough. At the first island turn right onto the B582 signposted Enderby and follow this road to the junction with the A47. Turn left at the traffic lights and follow the brown tourist information signs to reach the circuit

By Rail:

The closest train station to Mallory Park is Hinckley, located just 5 miles away from the circuit. Timetable information can be found here.

Mallory Park Circuit,
Church Road, Kirkby Mallory,
Leicestershire, LE9 7QE
Tel: 01455 502214

What’s the weather doing?

This weekend at Mallory looks to be warm and dry with barely a chance of a shower over the 2 days of competition.

With temperatures hovering around the low 20’s Celsius it’s going to be great weather to watch the racing and to help Mallory Park celebrate 60 years of fabulous racing action. Low average wind speeds are also forecast so, it’s looking like a great weekends racing for competitors and spectators alike.

 Live Timing

If you can’t get down to Mallory Park yourself, you can watch live timing for all the days racing by going to the TSL website or clicking this link

You can also see updates as they occur on the Birchall Racing Facebook page HERE

Or you can go to the dedicated Mallory Park page of this website to see all of the race info in one place CLICK HERE

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