by Louise Cain

The ACU Suzuki GSX-R600 Trophy roared into life on 4th-5th May at Cadwell Park with a double header to kick off the action. Chris Hawkes took a spectacular double win to lead the fledgling 12-round championship.
The drama started to unfold during qualifying when Ritchie Thornton who had just claimed pole position with a time of 1min 39.13secs, crashed at Hall bends dislocating his shoulder. The gritty rider received some medical attention and then proceeded to take part in the race later the same day.
Race one saw Hawkes get the hole shot from second place on the grid, he then proceeded to take a lights to flag victory coming over the line 13.31secs clear of Thornton who bagged a safe second place.
The final step of the podium went to Rogerio Lacerda who started from seventh on the grid - he battled through the pack to take third place from Adam Foster and William Bergin. His on track antics gained him his first podium finish, the Express Insurance Top Gun novice of the day award as well as the Relentless Rider of the Day which is awarded by the race commentators.
Colt Dwyer, the MCN competition winner, who won the chance to race in the GSX-R Trophy, rode to ninth place at the end of what he described as a tough race.
The second race of the weekend took place on Bank Holiday Monday and saw the Crescent prepared machines take to the track with Hawkes once again picking up the race win at a sun bathed Cadwell Park. It was a much closer battle this time with Thornton coming over the line in second place just 3.2secs behind. The final step of the podium went to Ulsterman Stanley Gamble.
Hawkes got another clean get away while Gamble slipped into second place with Thornton chasing and passing him on lap two. Paul Rogers and MCN’s competition winner Colt Dwyer crashed out on lap three in separate incidents. Rogers escaped unhurt however Dwyer was sent to hospital where a broken collar bone and cracked elbow were diagnosed. He aims to be race fit in time for the next round at Donington Park.
As the race progressed Scotsman William Bergin got in on the action making a play for third place but unfortunately crashing out between the Hairpin and Barn corner on the run to the flag. Rogerio Lacerda cut his way through the pack and managed to grab fourth place from a determined Adam Foster.
Thornton set the fastest lap of the race with a time of 1min 37.6secs on lap 10. Lacerda once again picked up the Express Insurance Top Gun Award for highest placed novice, in his last ride as a novice as he now qualifies for his Clubman Racing Licence.
Colin Hargreaves won the Relentless Rider of the Day award for starting at the back of the grid and battling to eighth place. Hargreaves suffered a difficult weekend after crashing out in free practice on Sunday and again in morning warm-up on Monday. Rolls of duct tape and determination to win earned Hargreaves a case of Relentless Energy drink and a Relentless Hoody. The youngest rider on track was 16-year old Joe Moore who achieved a sixth place finish. Huw Davies, the only Granddad racing in the Trophy, improved his lap times and set a new personal best.
The next two rounds of the ACU Suzuki GSX-R600 Trophy will be supporting the British round of MotoGP at Donington Park on the 21st-22nd June.

Championship Standings
1: Chris Hawkes 50
2: Ritchie Thornton 40
3: Rogerio Lacerda 29
4: Stanley Gamble 27
5: Adam Foster 21
6: Joe Moore 19
7: Marcus Woodbine 17
8: Colin Hargreaves 13
9: William Bergin 13
10: Stephen Woulds 8