Storm Stacey shows talent to bag fifth
Two of the region’s brightest talents on two wheels were back in action with Storm Stacey securing a superb fifth-place finish in the British Talent Cup on the under of the World Superbike series.
Ben Taylor, from Kidderminster, was also back in Thundersport GB action, racing in the Superteen class, and managed to claim a class win for the first time at Cadwell Park.
Stacey, aged just 14, again showed maturity way beyond his year during a thrilling second round at Donington Park late on the Sunday afternoon.
After qualifying in seventh place for the opening race, just 0.89 seconds off pole position, the Eccelshall ace ended up in a race-long battle with Scott Ogden and Josh Whatley, finishing sixth and six second behind the leaders.
Another third row start during race two saw Stacey – who is back in talent cup action this weekend at Snetteron –get a better launch off the line.
But after taking action to avoid a crash it allowed the front three to pull away.
However, an enthralling battle for fourth ensued behind Stacey dicing with Whatley, Jack Nixon, Cameron Horsman and Brian Hart. The Staffordshire star eventually crossed the line in fifth position, which also left him fifth in the cup table on 29 points.
Stacey said: “I had a mega weekend with some really good battles with Whatley.
“Because I am a bit heavier his bike was able to pull a few bike lengths out of every corner and it’s really difficult to make the pass at Donington.
“The next round is Snetterton, which is one my favourite circuits so hoping to get on the podium there.”
Taylor, 12, from Kidderminster, was racing around Cadwell for the first time during round three. After getting off to a good start in the opening race of four, he lost two places avoiding another rider but made them back up with two good overtakes, becoming the quickest Aprilia 125cc rider on the track in the process.
The Wyre Forest youngster got into a good rhythm and settled for the second-placed Aprilia.
With rain falling before the second race, Taylor took it easy for the first lap before overtaking two riders, taking the lead and extending the gap to six seconds and an Aprilia RS 125 Superteens class win.
During race three on Sunday, he lined up on the grid 14th with all the other Superteen riders.
After a restart because of a red flag, Taylor moved straight into first place in his class and had a sizeable gap before hitting a false neutral at the bottom of the mountain section, forcing him on to the grass. Pushing hard to make up the gap, he reclaimed two places with a brilliant out-braking move to take third.
Taylor’s father, Jason, said: “Mist moved in for race four and the temperature dropped.
“Ben went out and did his warm up lap but unfortunately lost the front and crashed at the hairpin.
“That was the weekend racing done but Ben was OK after the crash with no injuries.
“Not the way we wanted to finish the weekend, but he really enjoyed himself.
“We’d like to thank our sponsors Geartech The Gearbox specialists, Bike -N-Sport, DC Speedshop, Spectrum Interior, Hideout Leathers and Motul.”
