TOP TEN EVENTS OF 2018
The ten events we love the most, why they’re so great and how to make the best of them in 2018. It’s going to be a fantastic summer…
Bike’s top ten events of the year, and why we’ll be there in 2018.
10.BSB at Cadwell Park ‘A train of bikes sweeps towards the chicane…’
‘“Blimey, that’s steep,” says Alan, looking at the Mountain as we walk towards the footbridge linking the banking at Coppice to the stroll down from the paddock. “Good job they don’t race up it.” ‘I’ve dragged Al to Cadwell Park in Lincolnshire for the 2013 round of the British Superbike championship. He rode up to my place yesterday on his R1200GS and we decided a sunny Bank Holiday Monday at Cadwell BSB was in order. It’s a cracking ride up through Boston to Horncastle, and Cadwell is the most scenic, and best for spectating, of all UK circuits. From the Mountain climb, to the intimacy of Hall Bends, to the bank overlooking Coppice’s 140mph entry, no track puts you closer to the action. For a sense of speed and balls, Cadwell’s the place. And there’s always speed and balls at Cadwell’s BSB round. ‘“Actually, they do race over the Mountain,”’ I say. ‘“Shit, really?” Replies Al. “I thought it was an access road.” He’s surprised. Really surprised. ‘I’ve known Al for decades but he only got into bikes two years ago, and has never seen a race. “Shakey who?” he asks as the announcer’s voice echoes across the track. ‘“You wait till you see Josh Brookes,” I say. We’re too late for the first Superbike race – it’s mid-afternoon by the time we find a vantage point. Supersport 600 is on and Alan is blown away by the
speed and noise – he either laughs in disbelief or has his hand over his mouth in shock. ‘By the time the Superbikes line up he’s rooted to the spot,the sonic overload of the start makes him step back. Brookes hits the front as the bikes disappear up the hill at Coppice – when they reappear at Mansfield, Alex Lowes is leading. A train of bikes sweeps towards the chicane at the foot of the Mountain then, one-by-one they leap it, wheels clear of the ground. Brookes goes highest, making three or four feet of air under his wheels. ‘Al, for the first time I’ve known him, is speechless. But for the next 17 laps, each time Brookes hits the mountain, he mutters an expletive under his breath. When Brookes crashes, off to our left, on the last lap, Al jumps up and down. And he’s been back to Cadwell Park every August since.’ Simon Hargreaves