Race Report for #50 – Fred McMullan

Time for Rnd 4 with BMCRC (Bemsee) and the final round for the Season. We travelled 100 miles to the UK’s best loved race circuit , Brands Hatch. Situated in West Kingsdown, Kent it’s time for the longer Grand Prix (GP) Circuit.

Arriving Thursday night, the weather was relentless and the rain persistent; nevertheless we set up in Garage 30 in preparation for practice the following day (Friday). #82 – Foo Hinnells (also with BD Racing) was also setting up.

Practice Day – Brands Hatch Indy

Team Manager of BD Racing, Ian Soilleux arrived early and we helped unload Foo’s two CBR600’s and set up the garage ready for the start of the Practice Sessions.

Having never raced the GP Circuit, it was good to gain track time on the Indy Circuit but #50 – Fred McMULLAN had to study. This was the extra corners to be included in the GP Circuit ready for Race Day in the morning.

All went well during practice albeit the weather did not ease, Eddie Allen, Pit Crew arrived in the evening and all was in place for qualifying in the morning.

Qualifying – Brands Hatch GP

Well, time to face the GP Circuit; with a baptism of fire. Having studied the circuit a few more times it was time to see it for real. The weather was still bad, with a wet track.

As we all headed to the Collection Area, #50 – Fred McMULLAN was running the circuit layout in his head and then it was time to head out.

The first few laps, #50 – Fred McMULLAN was learning the ‘extended’ circuit and started to gain confidence. This allowed his riding to ‘flow’.

Each lap, #50 – Fred McMULLAN was setting a faster time and looked comfortable. On the last lap, #50 – Fred McMULLAN set a 1:59.716, qualifying #50 – Fred McMULLAN in P3. #55 – Harrison DESSOY took pole position with a lap time of 1:57.733; and #196 – Jack KIRSCH in 2nd with a 1:58.570.

Race 1 – Team Green

With Race 1 ready to start, the track was still wet and the riders formed up on the Grid.

Flags down, lights on and the race was underway. #50 – Fred McMULLAN didn’t have a good start dropping down to 8th place. #2 – Joe THOMAS took an early lead with #55 – Harrison DESSOY in second and #196 – Jack KIRSCH in third place.

After lap 2, #2 – Joe THOMAS had extended his lead. #196 – Jack KIRSCH had passed #55 – Harrison DESSOY moving up to second place; with Fred working his way through traffic into 6th place.

Lap 3 saw no change in the first three riders. #50 – Fred McMULLAN was riding well gaining another place, passing #113 – Mikey HARDY moving up to 5th place.

After the penultimate lap, #2 – Joe THOMAS lead with a 4.3 second gap, in front of #55 – Harrison DESSOY who had passed #196 – Jack KIRSCH. #50 – Fred McMULLAN had gained another place moving up to 4th place.

With the chequered flag out, #2 – Joe Thomas took the win for the seniors.

#55 – Harrison DESSOY won the Junior class, with #196 – Jack KIRSCH in second place, and #50 – Fred McMULLAN finishing 4th overall; and third in class.

Race 2 – Team Green

With race incidents impacting scheduled running of the races, Team Green Race 2 started late; but thankfully the track was now dry.

#50 – Fred McMULLAN had a much better start, positioned 5th on the grid moved up to fourth after the 1st lap. #2 – Joe THOMAS took the lead again, with #55 – Harrison DESSOY in second; and #196 – Jack KIRSCH in third.

After lap 2, #196 – Jack KIRSCH had took the lead, with #2 – Joe THOMAS in second, #55 – Harrison DESSOY in third; and #50 – Fred McMULLAN in fourth place.

Lap 3 saw #2 – Joe THOMAS retake the lead, with #55 – Harrison DESSOY in second. #196 – Jack KIRSCH was pushed back to third; with #50 – Fred McMULLAN holding fourth with a good gap between him and #47 – Joe FARRAGHER in fifth place.

After lap 4, the battle with the top 4 riders continued with #55 – Harrison DESSOY taking the lead. #2 – Joe THOMAS was now in second with #50 – Fred McMULLAN moving up to third place. #196 – Jack KIRSCH was pushed down to fourth place; with only 0.8 seconds between these 4 riders.

#2 – Joe THOMAS took the chequered flag for the Senior class, with #55 – Harrison DESSOY winning the Junior class. #196 – Jack KIRSCH took second place with #50 – Fred McMULLAN in third.

What a day! Roll on tomorrow.

Race 3 – Team Green

With the rain not easing all night, it was a damp morning with a wet track. 3 Races had been rolled over from yesterday so time to focus on the penultimate race.

#50 – Fred McMULLAN was P3 on the grid, with #2 – Joe THOMAS on Pole and #196 – Jack KIRSCH in P2.

The race did not go as planned for #50 – Fred McMULLAN sliding out at Clark on the first lap.

The weather took its toll on 4 further riders, with 25 completing the race in very wet conditions.

#196 – Jack KIRSCH took the win in the race and also for the Juniors, with #55 – Harrison DESSOY in second place. #47 – Joe FARRAGHER finished third; with the first 3 crossing the line being Juniors.

Race 4 – Team Green

With the weather not improving and #50 – Fred McMULLAN securing 3rd place in the Junior Cup the team discussed Race 4.

It was a clear decision not to partake and consider damage limitation.

The Juniors lead the Seniors in horrendous conditions with #55 – Harrison DESSOY taking the win. #47 – Joe FARRAGHER finished second; with #17 – Charlotte MARCUZZO in third.

What a season, and a final round!

Statement from #50 – Fred McMullan

“What a Season, Firstly I would like to thank my family for supporting (and funding) me on my dream. I would also like to thank everyone at BD Racing UK, especially Ian Soilleux (Team Manager) for taking me under the Team Wing and achieving my first Pole Position and my first podium finish in 1st place.

Finishing the Team Green Junior Championship in 3rd is unbelievable and to be honest, I m still smiling from ear to ear.

Already looking forward to the next season on 2021.”