East Fortune. The Bob Mac Memorial. A circuit soaked in history and atmosphere, and for those of us lucky enough to race there — one that will stay lodged firmly in the memory bank for a very long time. What a privilege, and what a weekend. Helped of course by Louise handing out £150 cash back from our superb sponsors.
Travelling north to the Scottish Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s Bob McIntyre Memorial meeting at East Fortune was always going to be an adventure, and from the moment we rolled through the gates the welcome was as warm as the sunshine that greeted us. The circuit itself is a cracker — fast, flowing, with a character all of its own — and the paddock hummed with the sort of banter that only a Lansdowne away-day can generate.
Race 1
Mark Taylor on his Oakdene Manx arrived with his now-customary air of quiet menace and proceeded to deliver it in spades. Race 1 saw the Crafty Cockney lead from the front with Mike Russell pushing him all the way, only 6.6 seconds separating the pair at the flag after nine laps. Jake Dettloff was a fine third, with your author — Perky himself — doing his level best in fourth but never quite troubling the leaders. Angela Cragg rounded out the British Championship finishers in fifth, doing what she does best and simply getting the job done, with Mike Hose sixth and showing commendable pace throughout. Sadly, Graham Higlett’s afternoon lasted just a single lap before mechanical gremlins intervened — one of those days, Higgy.
In the Clubman 500 that first race went to Simon Hocking, who crossed the line a fine seventh overall ahead of a very determined Dorian Eardley eighth and hard charging Stuart Tonge in ninth. Andrew Glasgow and Ken Perch completed the finishers, a lap down but no less welcome on the results sheet. Stevan Radakovic unfortunately could not get away. In the Pre-55 class, Mike Kemp took the class honours with a composed ride, Brian Riley second. Mark Harrington was our sole Clubman 350 runner, completing eight laps with the quiet dedication that characterises everything he does.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Simon Hocking | |
| 2nd – Mike Russell | 2nd – Dorian Eardley | |
| 3rd – Jake Dettloff | 3rd – Stuart Tonge |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Mark Harrington | 1st – Mike Hose | |
| 2nd – Mike Kemp | ||
| 3rd – Brian Riley |
Race 2
Taylor was at it again, this time with Russell breathing down his neck at a frightening rate — only 2.4 seconds at the flag over eight laps, the pair of them clearly having a marvellous time trading fractions. Jake Dettloff held third with Perky a respectable fourth. The Clubman 500 was led home superbly by Calum Lockie, who had made the start this time and showed real class to take the win ahead of Dorian Eardley and Simon Hocking. Stuart Tonge and Ken Perch completed the finishers. Radakovic had another truncated afternoon, retiring after six laps. In the Pre-55 it was David Hebb stepping up to take class honours, with Alex Williams completing the finishers. Brian Riley unfortunately had to park it after three laps, as did Graham Higlett for the second time in as many races — a frustrating weekend for a rider who deserved far better.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Calum Lockie | |
| 2nd – Mike Russell | 2nd – Dorian Eardley | |
| 3rd – Jake Dettloff | 3rd – Simon Hocking |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Mark Harrington | 1st – David Hebb | |
| 2nd – Alex Williams |
Race 3
The headline wrote itself. Graham Higlett — so cruelly denied in the first two races — finally got a clean run and absolutely flew. Nine seconds of improvement on his Race 1 time, a best lap of 1:06.981 which was the fastest individual lap set by any Lansdowne rider all weekend, and a margin of just 1.1 seconds over Mark Taylor at the flag. What a drive, Higgy — Elaine must have been going spare on the pit wall! Taylor took second, Russell third in a three-way scrap right to the line, Dettloff fourth, and Perky fifth — all of us watching what was happening at the front with considerable respect. Calum Lockie, Dorian Eardley, Simon Hocking and Stuart Tonge filled out the Clubman 500 positions in that order, with Ken Perch a lap down but keeping it all together. In the Pre-55, David Hebb kept it shiny side up for a second class win, Brian Riley next, then Alex Williams, and Paul Stephen completing the finishers.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Graham Higlett | 1st – Calum Lockie | |
| 2nd – Mark Taylor | 2nd – Dorian Eardley | |
| 3rd – Mike Russell | 3rd – Simon Hocking |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Mark Harrington | 1st – David Hebb | |
| 2nd – Brian Riley | ||
| 3rd – Alex Williams |
Race 4
Order was largely restored at the front with Taylor, Russell and Dettloff taking the top three in the British Championship class, Perky fourth, and Angela Cragg a battling seventh overall. The Clubman 500 was a class act from Dorian Eardley who put together his best ride of the weekend to take the win, with Simon Hocking just pipping him for… wait — Eardley fifth overall, Hocking sixth, separated by under half a second on the road, Stuart Tonge eighth, and Ken Perch a lap down. Calum Lockie unfortunately checked out the barley field after putting his handlebar down Perky’s boot mid-corner, which was a real shame after his strong showing in the middle races. David Hebb completed a hat-trick of Pre-55 class wins with Brian Riley second and Paul Stephen third — quietly consistent all weekend.
| British Championship | Clubman 500 | |
| 1st – Mark Taylor | 1st – Dorian Eardley | |
| 2nd – Mike Russell | 2nd – Simon Hocking | |
| 3rd – Jake Dettloff | 3rd – Stuart Tonge |
| Clubman 350 | Pre 55 | |
| 1st – Mark Harrington | 1st – David Hebb | |
| 2nd – Brian Riley | ||
| 3rd – Paul Stephen |
If there is a theme from this report it is one of remarkable reliability and genuine camaraderie from the whole Lansdowne contingent — a long way from home, on an unfamiliar circuit, and the vast majority of our riders kept their machines together and kept racing. The class of the guest series was evident from the first lap.
Before the sign-off, a quick nod to the facts of life at the top: Mark Taylor wins three from four, with Higlett’s Race 3 victory the one blot on an otherwise immaculate scorecard. Mike Russell was outstanding all weekend — never more than a handful of seconds away and pushing Taylor harder than most manage. Jake Dettloff continues to mature into a proper front-runner. And if Higgy can find that Race 3 form consistently, this championship picture is going to get very interesting indeed.
A massive thank you to the Scottish Classic Racing Motorcycle Club for hosting us so beautifully — the Bob Mac is a very special event and they run it with real pride. Thanks as ever to the marshals, medics and circuit staff who keep us safe, and to all the Lansdowne supporters and paddock crew who make this whole circus possible. See you at the next round which is the Brands Hatch 100th anniversary, where once again all riders will receive £50 start money thanks to our fantastic sponsors.
Cheers Perky
