Triumph and Disaster for Wade at Snetterton

Monday, September 22, 2008

This weekend saw the final two rounds of the New Era super club Formula 600 and Sound of Thunder Championships. With a 68 point lead in the SOT and just a 14 point deficit in F600 there was everything to play for.

Saturday

Timed Practice F600
Wade posted consistent quick laps to put the Triumph in second place behind main rival Mark Cronshaw. In the final lap of the session Cronshaw overcooked it into the final chicane and high sided destroying his No. 1 bike and injuring his back.

Timed Practice SOT.
Some fine tuning to the bike to improve the set up saw the lap times down into the high 1.09’s and pole position.

Race 1 F600
Cronshaw launched his no.2 R6 Yamaha off the start line and lead Wade into the first corner, he managed to hold his line and position into the second, but as they emerged onto the back straight the immense power of the Triumph hammered Wade past his rival into a lead which would not be retaken. Marcus achieved a lap of 1.09.67 a new personal best and the lap record for the race. Lapping at nearly a second quicker than Cronshaw, the result was a convincing win which looked to set the scene for the weekend. The championship deficit was reduced to just 9 points.

Race 2 SOT
John Simpson, the only person capable of beating Marcus in the championship, did not show this weekend. So with the championship secure Wade used the extra track time to improve the set up and improve his lines. Marcus took the lead off the start and again posted consistent fast laps doing a 1.09.54, the fastest lap of the weekend. With no other bike capable of a lap within 2 seconds of Wade, he secured another easy victory finishing 20 seconds ahead of the pack.

Race 3 F600
Cronshaw again got a good start and for the first two laps it was tit for tat as Wade and Cronshaw tussled for position on every corner. Lap 3 saw Marcus ahead as they crossed the start/finish line and then lap after lap extending his lead and pulling a gap. By the time wade passed the chequered flag he had a massive 12’s lead of Cronshaw, and the championship down to 4 points.

Sunday

Timed Practice. F600
The tension in the paddock was unbearable, with just 4 points deficit Wade had to secure at least 1 race win and then beat Cronshaw in the second race to win the championship and the brand new CBR600 up for grabs. Cronshaw’s pit crew had worked through the night to repair his no. 1 bike so the pressure was back on. Marcus improved on his times through the session and again pulled a time of 1.09.69 putting the 675 on poll position over a second quicker than Cronshaw. However on the last lap of the session disaster struck. Wade caught a back marker as the approached sears. Wade was forced to take a tighter line than usual to get underneath the slower rider, as he exited the corner the Triumph high sided throwing Marcus 15ft into the air. When he landed the bike slide into him and Marcus was rushed by ambulance to the medical centre complaining of a pain in his leg. The bike was brought back to the pits and the crew worked frantically to repair the bike whilst Marcus sought medical attention. Shortly after the news came through that Marcus had to be taken to hospital. When the bike collided with Wade it had broken his femur ending his racing season and dashing his championship hopes.

Summary

Formula 600  - 2 Races - 2 Race Wins.
Sound of Thunder - 1 Race - 1 Race Win and SOT Championship.
Marcus Wade  - 1 Leg  - Broken

Overall a disappointing end to what has been a difficult season but by far the most successful year ever for Wade Racing, but rest assured we will be back next year.