2008 Season Review

Success is measured in lots of different ways, and we have achieved in all: - On track - Engine preparation - Sponsorship deals - Financial backing - Rider development - Personal satisfaction, an excellent result for a restructured team at the beginning of 2008.

On track Neil Copestake secured 2nd place in the 250cc Pre75 British Championships on the much admired 1974 Mk7 Bultaco – the same bike has also won both the 2008 V.M.C.C 250cc and 350cc Classic National Championships and finished in joint 1st place in the open 250cc class at the Leamington Victory meeting.

With Neil riding, the 2 valve Jawa has had numerous race wins throughout the year; the main result came in the retention of the V.M.C.C 500cc Classic National 2 valve Championship for the 2nd year running, and 2nd overall in the Swindon Club Pre75 500cc Championship.

The 4 valve upright Jawa has had a quiet season, used at the Winchester meeting early in the year with Neil onboard it took overall 1st place in the upright class and a magnificent 2nd in the open class final.
From this point on the bike has been loaned to two South Eastern centre riders, Tim Mount and Bob Dolman, Tim did not have the best of days at Tallington with carburetion problems, but Bob took the bike out on the continent to compete in the Veteran Longtrack Championship round at Melsungen, Result overall 1st place, a fantastic result considering he had never sat on the bike before. This win, and delighted with the bike, Bob set his sights on the 2008 South Eastern Centre Upright Championships; he finished a very creditable 2nd to flying Karl Rushen.

In July at the Leamington meeting while talking between races, Neil asked the mega talented 15 year old Suffolk rider Oliver Rayson if he would like to join forces and ride a very special bike, a prototype JRM factory owned chassis powered by Copey Racings very quick 250 JRM engine, the bike given to Copey Racing by the UK JRM sole importer Alan Bellham at Speedway Service in Kings Lynn for development, prior to factory production for 2009.

Torry Hill 4th overall, missing the podium with a broken primary chain. (Our only mechanical failure).

Ledbury 1st overall, beating former British Champ Neil Taylor with a spectacular last lap ride and in the process taking the rider of the day award.

Fenland 1st round of the prestigious JRM 250 challenge 2nd overall, behind former multi 250cc British Champ Lee Street and in front of another former British Champ Adam Shipp, who were both 2 stroke mounted.

Worcester Winner 3rd overall, Ollie suffered a heavy fall in the final leg after doing battle all day with the other super fast JRM mounted youngster Tom Perry.

Fenland 2nd round of the JRM 250 challenge 1st overall, and overall series winner for the new 250 JRM
engine after one of the best and most spectacular battles in the 2008 race calendar, riding around the outside of Lee Street on the final corner to claim the prize.

Due to rained off meetings, the only other outing for the 250 JRM was the Ledbury Leader, Ollie was not available to ride that meeting due to a speedway fixture, so this left Neil to ride in his place, first time out on the bike, and neither disappointed, a well deserved 3rd in the 250 class final.

The JRM factory, Alan Bellham, and all involved with the development of this bike could not have asked for more - “A fairy tale debut”.

Riders who have used engines prepared by us for 2008 have also enjoyed a year of success, and trouble free racing, the only DNF was due to a failed solid state ignition system.