Tark
26-05-2005, 09:27 AM
Round 5 & 6 MRO Powerbikes. Silverstone.
It's probably a good thing that MRO Powerbike racer Mark Talbot (19) is experiencing a run of bad luck at the moment, because without it he wouldn't have any luck at all.
The electrical instruments apprentice from Barrow-in-Furness rides a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 for the Renegade Exhausts-backed RiOT Racing team. He performed well in yesterday's opening qualifying session, running as high as 14th place after his first lap on the pace, until having to retire when water got into the electrical systems of his machine. Mark said, "I could have still gone much quicker in the rain but wanted to make sure I had 3 laps under my belt before I oulled out the pin. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance". The second session was cancelled after gale force winds blew Mark off the track on the back straight, demolished a hospitality unit blowing debris across the track in his path. He did well to bring the bike back in one piece.
Starting from the fifth row of the grid for Saturdays opening race, Talbot's run of misfortune continued when he was forced to retire with a front wheel problem before he completed a single lap.
However, the gutsy teenager is developing a reputation across the MRO paddock for his determined attitude. Refusing to be downcast he lined up again for the afternoon's second race.
Once underway he became locked in a battle with Paul Rhodes (Suzuki). The two fought until Rhodes got ahead on lap 8 due to Mark having poor visability as the skys darkened and his dark visor steamed up. The weather looked set to change as Talbot began lap 9. Rain started to fall onto the track and Mark began to lap slower as the track became wet and he was on slick tyres. Paul Rhodes opened a gap and leader Jonti Hobday passed. Briefly holding onto the tails of the Hobday and catching Rhodes, Mark realised it was getting too wet as he watched Hobday and Rhodes crash out directly ahead of him. Talbot had again acted wisely - as the bikes approached the start line the red flags came out and a result was declared after 10 laps.
It's a frustrating time for Talbot at the moment. The young rider is clearly capable of finishing higher up the leaderboard, but events seem to be almost conspiring to hinder his progress. Hopefully there will be a change in his fortunes at the next two rounds of the series, which will be held at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk during the first weekend of July.
MRO Powerbike Championship – Rd 6 results
Race 1 - 12 laps
1. Jonti Hobday (Suzuki) 12:58.368
2. John Anderton (Suzuki) 13:11.565
3. Neill Faulkner (Yamaha) 13:12.040
DNF. Mark Talbot (Suzuki)
Race 2 - 10 laps
1. John Anderton (Suzuki) 10:58.549
2. Martin Buckles (Suzuki) 11:00.989
3. Michael Pensavalle (Kawasaki) 11:01.206
18. Mark Talbot (Suzuki) +1 lap
If anyone wants more private details of the DNF then PM Me.
It's probably a good thing that MRO Powerbike racer Mark Talbot (19) is experiencing a run of bad luck at the moment, because without it he wouldn't have any luck at all.
The electrical instruments apprentice from Barrow-in-Furness rides a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 for the Renegade Exhausts-backed RiOT Racing team. He performed well in yesterday's opening qualifying session, running as high as 14th place after his first lap on the pace, until having to retire when water got into the electrical systems of his machine. Mark said, "I could have still gone much quicker in the rain but wanted to make sure I had 3 laps under my belt before I oulled out the pin. Unfortunately I didn't get the chance". The second session was cancelled after gale force winds blew Mark off the track on the back straight, demolished a hospitality unit blowing debris across the track in his path. He did well to bring the bike back in one piece.
Starting from the fifth row of the grid for Saturdays opening race, Talbot's run of misfortune continued when he was forced to retire with a front wheel problem before he completed a single lap.
However, the gutsy teenager is developing a reputation across the MRO paddock for his determined attitude. Refusing to be downcast he lined up again for the afternoon's second race.
Once underway he became locked in a battle with Paul Rhodes (Suzuki). The two fought until Rhodes got ahead on lap 8 due to Mark having poor visability as the skys darkened and his dark visor steamed up. The weather looked set to change as Talbot began lap 9. Rain started to fall onto the track and Mark began to lap slower as the track became wet and he was on slick tyres. Paul Rhodes opened a gap and leader Jonti Hobday passed. Briefly holding onto the tails of the Hobday and catching Rhodes, Mark realised it was getting too wet as he watched Hobday and Rhodes crash out directly ahead of him. Talbot had again acted wisely - as the bikes approached the start line the red flags came out and a result was declared after 10 laps.
It's a frustrating time for Talbot at the moment. The young rider is clearly capable of finishing higher up the leaderboard, but events seem to be almost conspiring to hinder his progress. Hopefully there will be a change in his fortunes at the next two rounds of the series, which will be held at the Snetterton circuit in Norfolk during the first weekend of July.
MRO Powerbike Championship – Rd 6 results
Race 1 - 12 laps
1. Jonti Hobday (Suzuki) 12:58.368
2. John Anderton (Suzuki) 13:11.565
3. Neill Faulkner (Yamaha) 13:12.040
DNF. Mark Talbot (Suzuki)
Race 2 - 10 laps
1. John Anderton (Suzuki) 10:58.549
2. Martin Buckles (Suzuki) 11:00.989
3. Michael Pensavalle (Kawasaki) 11:01.206
18. Mark Talbot (Suzuki) +1 lap
If anyone wants more private details of the DNF then PM Me.