It's on the new circuit of Snetterton in England on 01 / 03 July 2011 that take place the 4th round of ICGP championship.

Picture and text by Mandy Jordan

Round 4 of the ICGP Championship was at the newly refurbished and extended Snetterton track in Norfolk in the UK supporting the British Superbikes, the weekend after round 3 at Grobnik in Croatia.
Alan Carter made his first appearance with ICGP at this race (youngest GP winner in the 1980’s).

Qualifier 1 saw Carter recording the fastest time, with Simpson 2nd, Parker 3rd and Bishop 4th, with only fractions of a second separating the top three men. By Qualifier 2 Simpson came out clear on top, bettering his speed with the others improving their times but not by as much of a margin. Grid positions set the front row was Simpson in pole, then Carter, Parker and Bishop, with Bertin, Hart, Rose and Peers-Jones making up the second row.

Qualifying sessions :

350cc Class

1. Ian Simpson (GB)
2. Alan Carter (GB)
3. Richard Parker (GB)
4. Chris Bishop (FR)

250cc Class

1. Eric Saul (FR)
2. Yves Hecq (BE)
3. Colin Sleigh (GB)
4. Andre Gouin (FR)

Results of the QP2 :

Results of the QP1 :

Starting grid :

The first of two races got underway in the late afternoon sunshine on the new 300 circuit. Spectators are now rewarded with superb viewing from many elevated banks around the 3 mile track. As the red lights went out Simpson headed the pack with Carter chasing his exhaust fumes and Bishop and Parker in close formation. As Carter entered Hamiltons his throttle stuck open, he raised his hand and veered off the track, only to find the throttle unjammed, so he headed back onto the racing line straight in front of Bishop who was still on full throttle. As Bishop braked hard the front end gave way and for him the race was over. Parker fractions of a second behind avoided the melee but Bertin got caught up, and lost a few places.

Peers-Jones and Rose got the jump on Bertin and came into Murrays fighting for 4th place, with Bertin and Hart close behind. By Lap 5 Bertin had picked up his 4th position again, Hart had to retire with a mechanical problem and Saul’s silencer went. Hoffman who had not had a good start, took Rose on the last lap, securing him 5th position, with Rose 6th and RPJ 7th. Frenchman Bertin making his debut at Snetterton came 4th 52 seconds behind the leaders. The two leading riders continued to contend 1st place with their contrasting styles, but the ever polished and stylish Simpson dominated the race by lap 3 and came over the line nearly 13 seconds ahead of Carter who achieved 2nd in his first outing with ICGP. Parker who continues to impress with his unique racing style came 3rd five seconds later.

Colin Sleigh led the way on the 250’s, with Yves Roger Hecq giving another consistent performance and taking 2nd podium position. Andre Gouin took 3rd position after yet another good race from him. Brazilian Bob Keller came 4th, and Marc Auboiron and Dominique Guillebert completed the 250 section. Australian rider Grant Boxhall riding Jean-Paul Mestre’s Kawasaki had to retire after lap 3 with a broken nut on the rear wheel – many hundreds of miles travelled to get there than racing miles achieved.

Robert Burns the Series Sponsor had water coolant problems with the bike and retired after the sighting lap. The same problem ensued for Race 2.

1st race :

350cc Class :

1. Ian Simpson (GB)
2. Alan Carter (GB)
3. Richard Parker (GB)
4. Guy Bertin (FR)

Lap record : Ian Simpson (GB)

250cc Class :

1. Colin Sleigh (GB)
2. Yves Hecq (BE)
3. Andre Gouin (FR)
4. Bob Keller (BR)

Lap record : Yves Hecq (BE)

Race 2 was held on Sunday morning under sunnier skies and the riders lined up in the same grid positions. The red lights went out and Simpson, Carter, Bertin and Bishop took the leading 4 places, but as they raced into my view at Murrays it was clear that something had gone horribly wrong early in the race, as the red flags were out, and the screens were showing Parker crashing out just before the back straight. The race was stopped whilst Parker was ambulanced off to the medical centre.

The race was re-started 20 minutes later and the riders lined up with Parker notably missing from his third position on the grid. The race was now to be run over the shorter distance of 7 laps to facilitate the riders’ available fuel.

Lap 1 of the re-start and Carter raced into view just ahead of Simpson tacked onto his back tyre, Bertin and Bishop came next as a duo, and then the familiar quartet of Rose, Hart, Peers-Jones and Hoffman.

By Lap 2 Simpson had regained the lead but just fractions ahead of Carter. Lap 6 and a determined Carter made his move on Simpson, but as he accelerated to pass him smoke erupted from his exhausts and his own oil on the back tyre jettisoned rider from the bike and he rolled off track in spectacular style as the sleek Simpson disappeared into the distance to take the chequered flag.

Bertin bettered Bishop for just two laps, but Bishop gained back and stayed ahead till the chequered flag and took 2nd position on the podium. The quartet continued, but with Hart leading, then Rose, Hoffman took Peers-Jones again on the penultimate lap. Rose sped past a surprised Hart on the home straight to take 4th position.

Saul led the 250’s with flair and crossed the line 10 seconds ahead of Yves Roger Hecq, Colin Sleigh coming in 5 seconds behind him.

Fastest lap for the 350’s was the determined Alan Carter on Lap 5, with Eric Saul recording fastest for 250’s on Lap 6.

Parker update – Richard broke his leg in three places, and also damaged ligaments, he has undergone surgery, and is now recovering at home, but we doubt we will see his return this season. All the ICGP troupe wish him well for a speedy return.

2nd race :

350cc Class :

1. Ian Simpson (GB)
2. Chris Bishop (GB)
3. Guy Bertin (FR)
4. Christopher Rose (FR)

Lap record : Alan Carter (GB)

250cc Class :

1. Eric Saul (FR)
2. Yves Hecq (BE)
3. Colin Sleigh (GB)
4. Andre Gouin (FR)

Lap record : Eric Saul (FR)

Next round of the ICGP Championship is at Oschersleben track in Germany,program is available here