The team headed over to the Lincolnshire wonder that is Cadwell Park. 

This circuit is like no other on the calendar; all 2.18 miles of it are very unique and whilst we could not tell you why, there is a certain something that makes us all very excited about racing here.

Free Practice one :

Both Alastair Seeley and Oliver Barr headed out with a little glint in their eyes. Track conditions could have only have been described as ‘wet.’ Both our riders quite enjoy wet weather riding and they took full advantage.

Alastair finished fastest in P1 with Oliver in P11. 

Free Practice two :

This session was not as wet as the first but it did have a dry line. The slighly better conditions did see an increase in bikes coming out. A number of less confident wet weather riders decided to hang back in the first session.

Cadwell is notoriously narrow and “nadgy”. Finding space on the circuit to stay on the dry line was quite the test. 

Alastair Seeley ended session two in P4 and Oliver Barr finished P20.

Qualifying One :

Based on Oliver’s 20th combined practice time he was required to participate in Q1. Unfortunately there were a number of delays in this session. There were two seperate red flag incidents with riders requiring medical attention. 

Such is the layout of the circuit, the track has to be sterile as the medical crews use the circuit to get back to the medical centre. 

Remaining calm and focussed in these prolonged delays is far from easy but Oliver managed himself superbly well. Taking on fluids and listening to music seemed to do the trick.

With all of Q2’s competitors now eager to get on circuit, Oliver finished Q1 in P4. After a quick dash back to the awning he would be back out with Alastair with not a moment to spare.

Qualifying Two :

As the entire pack of riders streamed across the line after their warm up, Alastair Seeley wanted to stay with the front pack. Seeking an opportunity to go with the front runners came to an early and unfortunate end as he tucked to front into turn two. Unable to rejoin he would be reliant on a slower lap to determine his grid position.

Oliver Barr however eased into his rhythmn really early on and progressed his times nicely throughout the session. His speeds were good and he was improving his sector times lap after lap, just not on the same lap.  

Oliver Barr qualified P17 and Alastair Seeley would start from a rare P26. 

Sprint race 12 laps :

The weather in the morning had been really quite pleasant but as we prepared the trolleys for race despatch, dark clouds began to loom, the wind increased and the temperature dropped significantly. All tyre options were readied.

As the lights went out both Alastair Seeley and Oliver Barr got away really well on a dry circuit. 

Keen to make a mends for his qualifying mistake, Alastair got straight down to business by commanding his position into all the overtaking sections of the circuit. Whilst he would be the first to admit Cadwell Park is not one of his favourite circuits, he certainly imposed his ability on as many riders as he could before him.

Oliver Barr had never competed in a full race around Cadwell before this round. He approached his debut not really knowing what to expect, or how or where to push himself. Setting a credible qualifying position is a very diffrent task to a race. He gave pressure on those in front where he needed to and gave way where he didn’t feel he could go with them. Eventually finding himself a little alone on circuit, he concentrated on bringing himself and the bike home in one piece.

Alastair finished 9th from 26th, a fine performance that got him plenty of TV coverage. Oliver crossed the line 18th dropping back one place from his start. He was not overly pleased, but we were. Very few riders can compete at this level and enjoy such a strong race debut.

Feature Race 16 laps :

Based on their Sprint Race lap times, Alastair Seeley had been bumped up the grid to start from the third row, 9th. Oliver Barr started from row six, 18th.

Alastair had a smile on his face as he took to the grid. He felt good, he felt ready and he was feeling confident. Oliver had taken some advice from his good friend Rory Skinner in his down time and he was really focussed on his last race of the weekend.

Hugs and fist pumps out of the way, the grid was cleared and it was just the boys and our bikes left out there…

They both got good smooth starts and settled into race formation really well. Up through turn one and turn two at Cadwell has claimed many a victim in its history, not our boys we are delighted to add.

Unusually, Alastair suffered a technical blip on lap one as he negotiated the Mansfield section of the circuit. The bike seemed to judder and cut out which was particularly strange. She did fire up again and Alastair rejoined the race just behind Oliver in P19.

Alastair gave chase and got past Oliver safely to make his charge back to where he wanted to be.

As the field spread out the lap times got better and better which left lengthy gaps that would need to be bridged to take the places. Alastair rode every inch of the curcuit and left every braking marker as late as he dared. A fine performance and showcase of his skill and patience.

Oliver ‘attacked’ his race, this one was not getting away from him. He pushed himself to his current maximum and defended his lines superbly well. He took plenty, but nobody got past. His relentless ability to challenge himself mentally every race weekend is what makes the difference for Oliver. The flow to his weekends is blindingly rhythmical and he consistently ends on race day at his fastest and his best, smiling. We are extremely proud of him.

Alastair Seeley finished 7th with Oliver Barr finishing 12th.

Championship Positions :

Alastair Seeley 4th (197 points)

Oliver Barr 20th (34 points)

Next Round :

Oulton Park – September 13th, 14th & 15th 

On behalf of all the boys and girls at Binch Racing, I would like to extend our sincerest thanks for your continued support. It is greatly appreciated!