2021 RTTC National Closed Circuit Time Trial Championships – Thruxton Aerodrome Motor Racing Circuit, Hampshire.
On Sunday 10th October 2021 Jack took part in the 8th RTTC National Closed Circuit Time Trial Championship. The race was held at Thruxton Motor Racing Circuit in Hampshire.
Jack was 3rd on the start list out of over 300 riders. He needed to complete 5 laps of the race circuit, approximately 11.7 miles.
Weather conditions were perfect with a dry course, a temperature of 13°c and a 6mph wind.
Jack started very well, clipping in straight away and pulling away powerfully.
He settled into a good pace for the the 5 laps of the circuit, looking strong on each lap.
As Jack came into the pit lane for the finish he didn’t sprint, which I found strange, but then noticed an clicking sound coming from his bike! Once he came to a stop he told me he’d had a mechanical about a quarter of the way into the last lap. I then noticed that his back tyre was completely flat! On closer inspection we found a safety pin (from somebody’s race number) had gone through the centre of the tyre and out through the side wall causing the puncture.
He was extremely lucky to have stayed upright, let alone finish and win the race! The flat cost him approximately 30 seconds on the last lap, so he would have been quicker.
Jack completed the circuit in 34 minutes and 37 seconds at a pace of 20.2mph, and became the RTTC 11yr old boys 2021 National Closed Circuit Time Trial Champion. This was a huge improvement of 4 mins 24 seconds on his 2020 time, and given he had the flat tyre a very impressive ride!
Jack finished 7m 17s ahead of the second place rider in his category.
We can’t wait to travel back to Thruxton next October to try and make it a hat trick of wins for Jack.
A massive thank you to RTTC Time Trials and especially Roger Wakeling (Event Secretary) for putting on this superb championship each year, and to Thruxton Motor Racing circuit for hosting it.