Snettisham ace smashes lap record twice on his way to race win

Snettisham race ace Callum Manley endured a weekend nearly as up and down as the track at Donington Park itself.

The championship leader helped himself to one race win and two other podium places – but returned home knowing that it could have been even better had he not crashed out of the opening race on the Sunday.

As qualifying got underway Manley only took two flying laps before returning to the pits with a time that set him on pole position for race one.

He lined up on pole with his snarling 600 machine beneath him and as the lights went out he launched his machine off the grid to hold his lead into turn one.

Manley increased this lead and put in an strong third lap to claim the lap record for the BMCRC Rookie 600 class.

His Honda CBR600RR continued to pull away and on an impressive final lap Manley and his machine smashed the lap record once again, taking almost a whole second off the previous record.

Race Two saw Manley positioned on pole and he left his second placed rival Jason Gamble around the first lap.

Some close racing saw the lead chop and change on the ensuing laps before a final lap overtake saw Gamble claim victory.

As racing commenced on Sunday morning Manley was placed second on the grid.

A good drive into turn one saw him hot on the heels of Gamble and turn three saw Manley make a move to claim the lead.

On the third lap pushed the bike into the turn only for the front end to wash out beneath him to hand victory to Gamble.

Some quick work and changeovers meant Manley’s wet bike was set up and positioned on the grid for the final race of the weekend.

After a few laps of getting used to the bike and new, less flexible race suit Manley put on an impressive show of overtaking skill to see him work his way through the field to finish in a well-deserved third.

Manley, who is currently sponsored by Bec’s Sweets, will next be in action over the first weekend of July at Cadwell Park, where he will be hoping to increase his championship lead.