Scott Stone uses EBC Brakes components on his Yamaha R1
Retford-based Scott Stone is competing in No Limits Racing’s Premier 1000cc Championship in 2025 on his Yamaha R1, constantly achieving class-topping results as the year’s gone on.
Stone relies on EBC Brakes’ GPFAX (front axle) and Double-H Sintered (rear axle) brake pads to help giving him a fighting chance of achieving some of the fastest lap times on the grid.
Following more podiums at the previous Donington Park round, Stone was next out at Lincolnshire’s Cadwell Park, where he achieved yet more class podiums and even some PBs at what is his home track.
Read how the weekend went in Stone’s own words below…
Test day
“Started off very steady as I didn’t feel great on or off the bike. Had a nap on the lunch break then Dr. Walton was sent into the caravan! After a few stern, well-needed words, the leathers were back on and I was out lapping in the low 1:34s on old tyres. Gary said the bike looked too soft so we popped in a setting, grabbed some chicken and a drink and never saw him again. He obviously thought we could do the business.”
Qualifying
“Got some clear track and went ok with a 1.34.0, putting me 7th on the grid and P1 in class.”
Race 1 (11 laps)
“The plan was to get a good start, run in the low 1:33s and get the class win.
“Got a great start and was running 5th just behind Brendan Mallinder when he had a massive off at Charlie’s. I was expecting a red flag which normally happens when I get a good start, but thankfully Mally is a tough lad and he was up and safe so the race went on. Dropped back to 5th overall when Steven Butterworth caught me, but kept the lap times consistent and brought it home in an overdue P1 with a new PB of 1:33.1.”
Race 2 (14 laps)
“Starting 8th on the grid, one behind Wilf Turner – I needed a good start. I did get one, but Ryan Dixon ahead of me didn’t. I had nowhere to go and Turner got away first into Coppice. I kept out of trouble and hooked on to the back of him and settled. I wasn’t in a rush to try a pass and learnt a few things following him up until Lap 6 when someone behind showed me a wheel, so I had to go!
“I had a few looks on Lap 7, passed Wilf at Mansfield and did a 1:32.4 (new PB). I tried to pull away with a 1:32.7, but couldn’t shake him off. With two laps to go, I had a poor drive out of Charlie’s 2 and he passed me at Park Corner. I was carrying too much speed to make a cut-back work, so I was back to square one.
“Then we had a red flag. Normally, the result goes back a lap, but most of the riders had passed the line so it was declared a result.
“I was sure I could pass again and had a few ideas, but no such luck. A few things haven’t gone our way this year, but that’s racing and I’m sure that will change.
“7th overall, P2 in class and PB 1:32.417.”
Race 3 (13 laps)
“From 6th on grid, same plan to ‘get a good start and go’ was my best chance. Well, that would be too easy. Didn’t get a good start and Turner was off. By Park Straight, there were 3 bikes between us and he was pulling away. So, my turn to do the catching up. I knew I had to make the passes to get to him. Put in two mega sectors, used bits of the track I’m scared of and found myself on his tail at The Chicane in just one lap. It was the longer, 13-lap race, so thought my best plan was to keep him honest and have a go later in the race.
“I was playing with my riding, learning where he was strong and where I was stronger, so that when I made the pass I could go and not let him pass me back.
“He wasn’t messing about, dropping in 1:32s for most of the race. Whenever he pulled away, I could get straight back on to his wheel, matching his pace, so I was still sure we would be ok. With four laps left, I gave the nod to the pit board lads, letting them know it was GO time and set about getting in front. I could see he was pushing the limit. He ran slightly wide at Barn, lost the front, but turned into Marc Marques and saved it.
“With two laps to go, I made a pass at Mansfield but couldn’t stop and turn fast enough, so he cut straight back. Tried again at The Chicane and he closed the door on that one too. Going onto the last lap, I had good drive down Park Straight, got on the brakes late, but so did he. Both bikes making big shapes, we both ran deep so that was one chance gone. So, it had to be Mansfield. At Chris Curve, he clipped the banding and had a big rear slide mid-corner, so I got real close going into the Gooseneck.
“He didn’t go too defensive out of the Gooseneck, to my surprise, and as I was strong all weekend at Mansfield, thought ‘perfect’. But Tom Norton must have had an issue of some sort as we caught him from nowhere. I had a split-second decision to make. If I sent it in and he was in my way, there would have been no way to stop, so decided not to take the risk. Looking back, I think I would have missed him, but it’s easy to say that now.
“I kept Wilf honest to the end, but with nothing between us all weekend it would have had to be a lunge and I chose to keep a shiny bike instead.
“Congratulations to Wilf. He kept his cool and rode mega. We had some great, clean racing and both gave it all we had. Not ideal for my championship but we fight on to the end.
“We both ended up in the 1.32 club for the first time, not just once, but lap after lap. I don’t know why, but a 1.32 at my home track was always a dream target for me. I guess I’m living the dream. With what I learnt this weekend, there is more time to be made up, so the target moves on to the 31s. See you next year, Cadwell.
“7th overall, P2 in class.”
Photos by Camilla Davina Temple-Court
GPFAX Pads
EBC’s GPFAX Sintered Race Brake Pads are for RACE ONLY use. This is a blend of brake pad that has higher friction and far better grip than any other brake product on the market.
Double-H Sintered Pads
ECE R90 brake safety-approved and TUV tested, these ultra-high friction HH rated brake pads remain a market leader for road-going motorcycle brake pads.
