A LARGE Bank Holiday crowd was treated to some spectacular motorcycle road racing by Cirencester’s Peter Casey at the Tonfanau circuit on May 30.

The former Isle of Man TT and Manx Grand Prix rider was taking part in the second round of the Crewe and South Cheshire’s 350-500cc Classic Championship.

Unlucky in the draw for the qualifier, 23rd of 24 on the grid, and with the favourite Jason Wickham drawing No 2, Casey had it all to do in the first race. However, by lap four, he had taken his Honda into fifth place and was rapidly closing on the leaders. Alas, as he exited the tight Hesletons Hairpin, there was the fourth-placed man lying across the tarmac.

"I either ran over him or dropped the bike," said Casey. Always the gentleman he chose the latter.

A frantic half-hour ensued in the paddock as the unhurt Casey and race-day assistant Mark Bailey repaired the damage and they were ready for the second race.

Having to start 23rd on the grid again because of the no finish in the qualifier, Casey thrilled the spectators by eventually overtaking all but one rider to finish second. He repeated the feat in the third race, finishing only four seconds behind the winner.