Kent’s Ryan Dixon had a successful event on his first visit to Scarborough last weekend.

He found himself on the podium in both the Supertwin and the Supersport classes, as he took part in the Cock O’North for the first time.

Here he brings us up to date with his first race weekend in Scarborough: My first time up in Scarborough and a successful weekend overall. Arrived Friday afternoon, did the newcomers track walk and signing on/scrutineering etc. Made sure all was good to go for Saturday before fish and chips for tea and then bed.

Saturday morning saw three newcomers laps behind some more experienced riders, then three laps of practice on the supertwin and finally three practice laps on the triumph Supersport.

Then came qualifying. Having learned the track reasonably well, I knew where I was going but still had to fine tune my lines and braking points etc. On the twin, we had a slight issue two laps in which wasn’t quite resolved in time to get back out but getting out near the front and using the faster bits for a tow seemed to work as I qualified fifth.

The Supersport was much of the same but a little bit harder to get things right with the extra speed. Managed seventh though which I was happy enough, considering my aim before the weekend was to get into the A group.

Supertwin race one – a good start saw me get away in the top five, moving into fourth early on. I was following Ian Lougher and Lewis Arrowsmith, sitting in, learning a few tips whilst trying to work out where I may be able to make a pass. Unfortunately, half way through the race, the bike started to struggle to pull past 8000 revs and not wanting to cause any damage I pulled in. The fuel pump was the issue but sadly it was a DNF.

Supertwin race two – a good start saw me away fourth again then quickly to third, whilst trying to work out where to pass, the rider in second ran on through the chicane and slowed to allow me past on the way out and from there I pushed, managed to open a gap of around 3.5 seconds and come home second. A way off first but closing the gap each time out.

Supertwin race three – a good start and I was away in second. Got the hooks in and was trying to use Rob Hodson to drag me away from the pack and learn a thing or two from him. It was going well but a red flag towards the end of lap two saw a restart. Away in fourth before passing the two in front and getting into second. The leader had already gone but I managed to pull a bit of a gap again and claim another second.

Supersport race one – tricky weather conditions saw a fall but drying track. I gambled on a wet front/dry rear combo. Unfortunately it was just a touch early and although the track was getting better lap on lap, I only managed to start going faster than the guys on wet weather tyres on the last couple of laps, getting back to 15th but that was all I managed.

Supersport race two – very similar to race two conditions wise and the same gamble but this time it was the right one. Took a few laps to build into it and make sure the rear tyre was hot and then picked them off one by one, eventually coming across the line in third.

Supersport race three – an average start saw me get away around ninth or 10th. I picked off a few riders but by the time I was through to fifth the front group had gone. I pulled a bit of a gap to the chasing riders but couldn’t do anything about the ones in front so a fifth it was.

Cock o’ the north feature race – 11th on the grid due to fastest laptime Saturday. A terrible start with the bike having a small issue off the line. I dropped to four from the back. Set about fighting back through and made several passes but unfortunately coming from so far back there was only so much I could do. I crossed the line eighth which I was actually a bit disappointed with but posted the fifth fastest laptime.

Overall a successful weekend and setting the fifth fastest laptime of the weekend in my first visit, I’m pretty happy. Would like to say a big thank you to Paul, Brian and Kev of trickbits racing for their help and the opportunity. Also thanks to dad for coming along and helping out where necessary. A good weekend of learning and feel confident and excited to go back for the gold cup in September to see what we can do.”