Will Shaw revving up for his fresh challenge

The Telford star claimed back-to-back supersport and superstock titles with a round to spare at a wet and windy Mallory Park.

The 30-year-old believes his riding has again improved during 2017 and his mission now was to find new sponsors to help him take the next step.

“I’m so pleased to be a double champion again,” he said. “My riding has yet again improved this year and I now feel I need to move onto bigger and better things.

“I’m self-funded and it is very expensive, so I will be trying to seek any sponsors to go on into 2018.”

Double points were on offer around at the Leicestershire circuit during the two-day meeting.

Shaw was taking an 18-point lead into supersport championship but the usual changeable weather once again gave the riders a headache.

“It was a very stressful weekend with the weather not being kind on both days,” said Shaw. “The races went well though, getting a win in class for the superstock, which was a second overall after a great battle with Adam Clarke on is Yamaha R6, only edging him across the line by 0.111.

“The supersport race had a very heavy downpour so we changed to the wet weather tyres.”

Starting from second on the grid, Shaw soon passed his championship rival but when Lee Wilson came past on his BMW S1000RR he lost the front on the brakes.

Shaw managed to to avoid him while he slid on the track but dropped to third, which handed his rival the lead.

“It took most of the race to catch Clarke in second but once I did I wasted no time passing him,” he said.

“It came to the last lap and rival Jed Bird still had quite a gap but I never gave up and made a pass, pulling a 1.1-second lead over the line.”

Sunday’s first superstock race on very slow drying track saw Shaw take the lead before being overtaken by the experienced John Ingram, leaving the Shropshire racer to take second by 0.114 seconds after three-way battle with Clarke and Paul Westerdale.

Shaw raced sensibly in the final three races to guarantee both championships.

Will’s twin brother, Matt, was also back battling in the 500 class and left himself with a good chance of claiming another title for the family at the final round.

After qualifying second, he was leading until the rain came down and he high-sided out of Shaws hairpin on the second lap.

Matt and the bike were OK and after the race was red-flagged on lap five due to the weather, he returned for the re-run on full wets and brought it home in a safe second.

Sunday also ended in two more second-placed finishes for Matt but vitally he stayed ahead of the championship leader in all three races, bringing the points gap down to 12 points.

“Three of us are in contention for the title,” said Matt. “It’s double points for both the 500 races during the final round. Let’s see if I can follow in my brother’s footsteps and bring back another championship after what’s been a difficult season.”

There was more good news for Telford’s racers as a flying Paul Biddulph, 66, sailed to the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club’s 350cc class title, in the over-55s category, with a gap of more than 120 points to second place.

“The championship is now in the bag after two wins at a very wet and windy Anglesey,” he said. “The races were cancelled due to the bad conditions but with only four races left no-one can catch me.”

East Midland Racing Association’s Race of the Year takes place at Mallory Park on October 22, while the Classic Racing Motorcycle Club moves to Brands Hatch, October 7-to-8.

Meanwhile, Shrewsbury’s Jon Wright, 34, was also back in Thundersport GB action but admitted it was a case of ‘damage limitation’ at Oulton Park as he continues to recover from injury.

“I rode with great care to reduce the risk of further injury and my CBR600 championship lead was reduced from 74 to 26 points, with 100 points still available. But all things considered I’m happy with that.”

Telford’s Andy Ruscoe, 25, was back in No Limits action but as he could not score points he used the round for a ‘a bit of fun’.

“I got off to a good start in race one and sat behind first until I had a issue with the bike knocking me down to third, but I then one race two, three and four with ease.

“I only need to finish second in race one at my next round to win the championship at Donington Park, October 7-to-8.”