‘IT’S not the winning, it’s the taking part’ is a well-worn sporting cliche.

But for two East Lancashire riders who were in action at last weekend’s World Superbike meeting at Donington Park, it was just that.

Phil Blackmore and Adrian Wilkinson were among 40 club racers invited to take part in the Thundersports race, which supported the WSB superstars.

And it was a weekend to remember for both men.

“I had an absolute ball. It could have snowed and I would have still had a big grin on my face,” said Phil, who lives in Billington.

“The atmosphere was just fantastic and everyone made us very welcome. It felt like we were all part of the World Superbike family.”

And Blackmore, who works for Greenacre Honda in Clitheroe, got off to a great start, qualifying his Suzuki GSXR 1000 fifth fastest from a grid of 30.

“The conditions were very difficult, it was bone dry on some sections of the circuit and soaking wet in others,” he said.

Which is exactly what Blackmore faced for the first of two ten-lap races.

“As we lined up on the grid and the lights turned to red, the bike jumped forward and as I pushed it back into the right position, the lights went out and everyone went,” he explained.

“By the time I got to the first corner at Redgate, I was down in 28th place – and then the red mist came down!

“I was back up to 15th by the end of the first lap and although the leaders were too far away to catch, I was happy to finish 11th.”

Race two was held in torrential rain, with riders battling against an oily track and streaming water.

Determined not to be caught out at the start, Blackmore made a lightning getaway and was up to third place when he locked up the front end at the Melbourne loop.

Disappearing off the track in a cloud of tyre smoke, Blackmore was able to keep his machine upright and rejoined down the field.

With just seven laps left, he clawed his back through the field to claim 16th place – despite a back tyre that was ripped to shreds.

For novice racer Adrian Wilkinson just being there was enough.

“I had a wonderful time, I had to pinch myself it was really happening,” said Adrian, who works as a freelance moving light technician based in Nelson.

“I only started racing on the 14th September last year, so to be at Donington among the world's top riders was a surreal experience.

“I gained so much experience, by time the race had finished, I felt elated, and it's given me the confidence to continue racing next season.”

l Adrian Wilkinson would like to thank his fiance Nancy for her support, David Higgs, of Blue Flame Exhausts, Skelmersdale and Morris Lubricants.

Phil Blackmore would like to thank his wife Victoria for her support though the season, Andrew and Lesley Walker from Kenleys of Darwen, Lee Boyle, from James Alpe, Clitheroe and Combined Stabilisation of Rishton.