SHOWBOATING LEON HASLAM STARS IN BEST EVER THUNDERSPRINT
07 June 2006 - Thundersprint

Over 130,000 people packed the streets of Northwich for the Thundersprint 2006 according to official figures released by Vale Royal Borough Council.

While the rest of England suffered a real soaking, which left the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire firmly grounded in atrocious weather on the other side of the country, Northwich remained dry until the very end of the day.

The action began with the Thundersprint Cavalcade, with 200 race, (and a few road), bikes taking a five-mile trip around Northwich cheered on by tens of thousands of Thundersprint fans who packed every inch of the five-mile route. This was followed by classic race action. The head to head battle between Jim Redman and Sammy Miller was incredible. Redman gunned the screaming Honda 4 down the main straight to beat Miller’s howling Gilera by just 0.12 of a second whilst the crowd went ballistic with excitement. Miller has already booked his ride for next year.

“The Thundersprint is an amazing event and completely different from anything I have ever seen or ridden in before. It truly is unique and the crowds are enormous. I’ll be back next year with an even quicker bike!”

Germans Steffen Bauermeister and Karin Leffrang finished first and second in the Golden Age 250 class on their AWOs - the first time that these ultra rare East German racers had ever been seen in Britain.

Almost inevitably the incredible Jaeson Caunce dominated the 350 Classic Class but this year, the fastest time of the day went to Irish Road Racing Champion Gary Jamison who took his Drixton Honda round the tight Thundersprint track in an eye-watering 22.46 seconds.

Completely different, but just as entertaining, was British Superbike star Leon Haslam. Leon, showboating Ducati Manchester’s brand new Classic 1000, had the trackside grandstands shaking with delight. Leon was bowled over by his weekend away from his day job.

“I had such a good time. The crowds were fantastic and so enthusiastic. It was great to be able to meet so many of them over the weekend, away from the pressures of championship racing. I loved every minute of the whole experience.”

In spite of the record-breaking crowds, the Thundersprint passed off without incident.

“What is even more important is that we had no-one injured either on or off the track” smiled event organiser Frank Melling.

For more information, visit www.thundersprint.com or ‘phone the event information line on 01928 740 498.

www.thundersprint.com

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