Melton rider Antony Hart lands international podium finishes at Mallory Park

The Melton rider finished just one race out of nine at the Welsh circuit in difficult conditions, but bounced back in style with two podium finishes at the International Classic Grand Prix meet.

With the weather playing ball this time, and modifications made to increase engine performance, Hart and the Len Manchester Classic Racing Team were soon up to speed.

Using the extra power, he qualified on the front row in second position and pulled away with a four-strong group at the start of race one.

A real battle began over the course of the 20-lap race with Hart holding third position and moving up to second at half-distance as championship leader Guy Bertin, on his very rapid works Kawasaki KR350, crashed out of contention.

As the race progressed, Hart set his fastest lap of the race to close in on the leader, but time ran out and he had to settle for a well-deserved second place.

The same four contenders made the break at the start of race two with Hart this time sitting behind Bertin on his Kawasaki.

As the rain that had threatened started to fall, Hart used all of his wet weather skills to surge past Bertin and take the lead.

If the rain continued a win was looking possible, but after what turned out to be a shower, the track quickly dried out, allowing the Frenchman to use his machine’s superior performance to retake the lead.

Hart was left to chase him home and secure his second podium finish of the day behind the winner.

Team manager Arnold Fletcher said: “To come away as top points scorer in this company is testament to Ant’s ever-improving riding skills. The whole team is delighted.”