Grantham classic motorcycle racer Jason Dixon returned to action for the start of the Thundersport GB Golden Era race series at Brands Hatch over the weekend.
The weekend started poorly with a flooded test day on Friday necessitating a full wet tyre set-up.
With the electronic timing transponder not functioning, Saturday’s qualifying was timed on a traditional watch and Jason was stunned to only be 20th quickest.
Positioned in the middle of the 38-rider grid for race one, he hooked up his classic 2003 Aprilia RSV Mille-R Colin Edwards Replica well off the start line and made up a few places into Paddock Hill bend. He slowly picked off riders and crossed the finish line in a commendable fourth place.
Jason and his team opted for a wet front and dry rear tyre for race two – which proved to be the wrong decision. Jason said: “As hard as I tried, the rear tyre would not grip so after four laps I decided to pull in before I crashed.”
Sunday two races were both recorded for television and once again conditions were not good. With a very wet track, the team took no chances and selected a full wet set-up for the first race of the day.
Jason started in a promoted grid position of 11th and enjoyed a tremendous start to get up to fifth after a couple of bends.
He soon realised he had the pace to run with the race leaders and settled into third, before slotting in behind race leader Craig Geoff. However, the race was decided by slower riders on the track.
Jason said: “Craig disposed of the back markers much easier than I did and got enough of a gap to win.”
Jason’s race was still not over and he lost his runners-up spot after he made a small mistake round Druids, finally crossing the finish line in third.
Jason’s big, torquey 1,000cc Aprilia got bogged down at the start of race two and it took a while for the Grantham rider to reel in the field, but he still managed a creditable sixth place to end the weekend on a high.
He said: “A big thank you must go to team Dixon for preparing a great bike.” Jason also expressed thanks to his sponsors Treads To Go, R. P. Motorsport and Browny’s Boxing Gym.
Jason’s two Sunday races are due to be televised by Motors TV on Thursday (March 28) at 9.30pm.
He will be back in classic bike action for rounds three and four of the race series at Donington Park over the Easter weekend.