Ireland is renowned for its rolling green vistas and lush countryside - and it will come as no surprise to learn that one of the main reasons for the glorious natural beauty of the land is the unpredictable frequency and intensity of its precipitation. That’s right, in Ireland it rains, then it brightens and then it rains again - brilliant for grass, terrible for motorcycle racers.
So it was the weekend of Mondello Park - an important Superstock double header, two races, 50 points up for grabs in one afternoon. A great opportunity for any rider and team with championship pretensions - two wins could see your position improve significantly, but two poor results could all but end title hopes..
As championship leaders we were looking for a good solid performance, and with our closest rival, Hudson Kennaugh on Superbike only duty, we had a chance to cement our position at the front of the chasing pack.
So having endured the 3 hour 30 mile car park that is the journey from Dublin Port to Mondello, the team camp came together quite well and everyone felt relaxed. Both bikes, one rebuilt after the big off at Snetterton arrived in good shape, Glen was happy and all looked promising. Free practice was wet, and although the team was struggling for a set-up, Glen was third quickest. In second practice, however, one or two of the other Superstock riders found a little magic - their times improved, ours didn’t and it seemed that we were going into qualifying slightly off the pace.
Unfortunately, that is how it panned out. In Friday and Saturday’s miserable qualifying conditions, the best combined time Glen could post would see him start both races from 12th place on the grid. The only double header of the season and other than the problems we faced at Oulton earlier in the season, we would start from our worst position. And there was another issue. Kennaugh might not be scoring Superstock points this weekend, but one of the other front runners was looking very threatening. Steve Brogan, with a very interested HM Plant Honda Superbike team looking on, was quick and was clearly going to be in the points.
So somewhat less than bright and breezy, race day did at least dawn without rain. Cloudy and miserable, the track was dry-ish and warm up would be attempted on dry tyres for the first time over the weekend. There were no surprises, but it was clear that Glen was not displaying his usual pre-race demeanour of a relaxed but focused easy manner.
Whatever it was that had Glen thinking, he can’t possibly have been prepared for what happened at the start of race one. As the lights went out, Glen made a good start, took some places and was half way around turn one when a faller slid across the track and took the Embassy man down with him. True to form, his fighting spirit energised, Glen picked the Yamaha up and jumped back on to rejoin the race at the back. Nine laps later saw him up to 18th and sniffing points. Unfortunately, the circumstances combined to push Glen on and in trying a bit too hard to make up places, on lap 11 he made mistake on the throttle and the bike slid, gripped and flipped into a highside and the Embassy race was over. To make matters worse, Brogan had brought his Honda over the line first and had made a full 25 points up on our lead in just one race. Disappointed, annoyed and slightly embarrassed, Glen wasn’t hurt too badly and with the benefit of a second bike would be up for the second Superstock race at the end of the day.
After much delay with accidents and incidents in the previous race, the second Superstock race and round 7 in the championship got underway at 6.30pm. Right from the off it was clear that Glen was in a different mood. This time, the riders that went down avoided taking Glen with them and within a couple of laps he was up to 7th place - that was until the race was stopped. Restart rules meant that he would line up for the next part of the race in 12th and although there were a couple of vacant grid places up ahead, he would have it all to do again.
The restarted race was to be a straight 9 lap run to the finish and the race was on. Brogan and Coates were up front and the Glen quickly started to gain places. With more than two seconds to make up on the leaders, fifth seemed the best that he could do in the time, but his determination and racing skill said otherwise.
Fast, faster and ultimately fastest, Glen was riding out of his skin - he was flying around the tight twisty circuit, it was amazing to watch, exciting, awe inspiring and coming out of some turns, straight up frightening. Up to fourth with one lap to go, whatever happened from here, this was easily the very best performance of any rider in Superstock all season. And then it got better. Coming into the final turn on the final lap, third placed Seeley made a move on Brogan and Glen saw his chance. Diving up the inside and powering out with bike control that was simply spectacular, Glen got the run onto the start finish straight and passed both to take second place just 11 hundredth of a second in front of Brogan.
For the fans and teams who made the decision to stay behind long after the meeting should have concluded, this was a treat of unimaginable proportions. Quite simply one of the best races Mondello Park has ever seen.
For Embassy, the performance meant that we managed to reduce the points loss damage suffered in the first race and stay 39 points ahead of our nearest rival in the championship which is now Steve Brogan. Perhaps more importantly, though, it brought the team back from what had been a slightly downbeat and disappointing weekend up until that point. Obviously throughout a season the team will go through ups and downs, on and off the track, but to keep the Irish low to an absolute minimum means that all at Embassy are right back up there to take on the rest of the season with the focus, determination spirit and enjoyment that has seen us do so well up until now.
Bring on Knockhill.
Moto Results
Mondello Park Round 6
1. Steve Brogan - Honda - Tengo Honda Racing
2. Ben Wilson - Suzuki - Windmill Suzuki
3. Adam Jenkinson - Suzuki - AJ Racing
4. Kieran Murphy - Suzuki - Goldstar Suzuki
Mondello Park Round 7
1. Adrian Coates - Yamaha - Dyer Crossgills Racing
2. Glen Richards - Yamaha - Embassy Racing
3. Steve Brogan - Honda - Tengo Honda Racing
4. Alastair Seeley - Yamaha - NCT/Vanfit Yamaha
Overall standings after 7 Rounds
1. Glen Richards Yamaha - Embassy Racing 135 points
2. Steve Brogan - Honda - Tengo Honda Racing 96 points
3. Hudson Kennaugh Yamaha - Raceways Yamaha 81 points
4. Ben Wilson - Suzuki - Windmill Suzuki 77 points
