It's during the 8H of Albacete, 2nd round of wolrd championship endurance and under the warmy Spanish sun that held the 2nd round of ICGP championship.

Spanish spectators, who love classic races, were present to support ICGP racers Despite the small grid, equal to the modern Moto GP anyway, the show was still very thrilling and the riders didn't spare their talent onto the track. Guy Bertin after is crash at Le Mans wanted to do battle with the English racers who came in large numbers and were representing the majority of the starting grid in Albacete.

Free practice and qualifying were held under warm temperature which was hard for racers and engines. Low-lights in testing was the fall of Arnold Fletcher. With a result of four broken ribs, a punctured lung, a broken finger and toe. He was staying in hospital under observation but he's totally out of danger today. Arnie is the Dean of ICGP and at 70 years old, he still races hard !

After Friday qualifying it's Ian Simpson, three times winner of the legendary Tourist Trophy, who ranks first in the 350cc class two seconds in front of Richard Parker who, after Le Mans, was sharing his starting position with Guy Bertin. Guy Bertin who was 3rd quickest was just 5 tenths slower than Parker. The race promised a beautiful battle for a place on the rostrum especially because the front row is completed by Richard Peers-Jones who has done the 4th best time less than 3 seconds off Guy Bertin and is the leader of the Master Class.

On the 2nd row and in the 250cc class it's Steve Clark on first position, closely followed by Steve Boam, Eric Saul and Bernard Tabarly, 4 racers separated by less than one second, there will also be a tight fight for the rostrum in the 250's!

In the ICGP paddock it's still the same ambiance, with left to right Michael Wild ,Geoff MacMullan, Eric Saul, Ian Simpson and Richard Parker relaxing in the pool, and well merited because the machines and the circuit don't give you time to relax but also because of high temperatures even after 8 pm ...

Why hesitate racing in ICGP ?
Everything is there, the ambiance, the bikes, the 2 stroke smell, close your eyes and you're just 30 years back ...

Here is the starting grid :

At 12h45 under a summer sun and 25°C temperatures ICGP racers sit on the grid of the magnificent Albacete circuit.

Contrary to Le Mans with 10 laps, this round will require 16 laps on this difficult and tricky circuit.

Very quick start for Ian Simpson followed closely by Richard Parker and Guy Bertin, in the 250 Eric Saul was leading Clark and Boam !
Guy Bertin plagued by engine cut outs left Richard Parker in his wake, but Parker took advantage of this failure to pass Bertin regularly and stay ahead.

During 16 laps it's a no mercy battle and a wonderful show which is offered to the spectators !
The fights never stopped with the roar of the 2-stroke engine period, spirit is there !!!

In his stride Ian Simpson flew to victory and crossed the finishing line 4 seconds before Richard Parker, himself keeping a little advantage of 4 tenths on Guy Bertin who couldn't do anything in spite of all his efforts.

Magnificient race for 350cc class !

In the 250cc class Eric Saul made a very good start and widening the gap on Steve Clark and Steve Boam with up to 7 seconds going into the last lap !

Unfortunately a mechanical problem stopped his race only 2kms from the finishing line: The bike ran very well, I was comfortable on this circuit and the conditions, I was meant to win here but a mechanical problem has decided otherwise, I seized a conrod without other damage ...Anyway i still manage to do the fastest lap.

Steve Clark pass the finish line first in front of Bernard Tabarly who who made a solitary but perfect race followed by Michael Wild on his Rotax.

All racers said they were delighted with the track which was new for many racers, and the reception to the ICGP by the director of the circuit, Andres Sanchez Marin, himself an ex-Grand Prix racer, was very caring with us. A big thanks to Jose Carlos Lorente who managed this event for us with the Spanish federation and organizers !

Many thanks to Gregory Flynn for his help for the translation !

Rendez-vous in one month for Rijeka race !!

The general classement is available here

Here are results of the race.

350cc Class

1. Ian Simpson (GB)
2. Richard Parker (GB)
3. Guy Bertin (FR)
4. Richard Peers Jones (GB
5. Geoff Mac Mullan (GB)
6. Roger Timms (GB)
7. Robert Burns (GB)

Lap record : Richard Parker with 1.42.141

250cc Class

1. Steve Clark (GB)
2. Bernard Tabarly (FR)
3. Michael Wild (D)
4. Marc Auboiron (F)
5. Dominique Guillebert (F)

Lap record: Eric Saul with 1.48.392

Master class

1. Richard Peers Jones (GB)
2. Bernard Tabarly (FR)
3. Roger Timms (GB)
4. Marc Auboiron (FR)
5. Eric Saul (FR)
6. Peter Thorne (GB)
7. Patrice Fanchon (FR)

Results were live tracking on the Albacete circuit website.

Analyses, details and results of the race and testings :

1st QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
LAP TIME 1st QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
ANALISIS PIT 1st QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
2nd QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
LAP TIME 2nd QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
ANALISIS PIT 2nd QUALIFYING PRACTICES:
RESULTS QUALIFYING PRACTICE:
STARTING GRID (PROVISIONAL):

WARM UP:
LAP TIME WARM UP:
ANALISIS PIT WARM UP:
STARTING GRID:
RACE:
LAP TIME RACE:
RACE CATG. 350:
RACE CATG. 250:
RACE PLANNING: