John South and friends are campaigning a Benelli 2C in the Lightweight Classic race. We will bring you updates as they prepare and race this Italian lightweight.
Saturday:
"This is just a short sharp daily update for you on our Benelli MGP progress.
As you know - we are running the Benelli 250 2C in support of the Joey Dunlop Foundation this year and so far have raised over £2,500 for this worthy cause.
Most recently Robert White gave a significant donation to the JDF in return for which we are running the bike in his colours for the MGP only - thanks Robert.
Last night saw us blast off down Bray Hill for the first time, conditions were fair with rain forecast to come in.
Fozzy got a great start and shortly after I heard from our lookout at Laurel Bank that he was safely through and going well.
Steve Peace was at the Highlander and later reported him as flying.
We were looking good for a great first lap and possibly on for a scene if time allowed.
However - the weather closed in and darkness called off any chance of a second lap and then the bike suffered a power loss coming into Governors Bridge - just a few hundred yards from the finish so Fozzy pulled in.
So - almost a lap then!
Debrief after revealed that he is happy with the bike overall and reckons 'its made for the mountain!'
Today we have our work cut out as we swap engines (planned), swap tyres and wheels and ready a third engine for next week.
Next practice is tomorrow night and weather permitting - we hope to get a full two laps in and take on the 84mph challenge to qualify.
This is exciting as we are the under dogs here and are up against works bikes - but Fozzy last night was out there passing some of them!!
Its all to play for.

---

Monday morning:
"Just a quick update from yesterday.
As you know we stopped short on Saturdays practice at Governors Bridge with a loss of power which was suspected to be a broken ring.
Investigations yesterday revealed that mechanically all was fine and all it seems to have been was a dodgy ignition lead! Its the 10 penny items that cause so much grief!
We continued with our plan to swap engines and yesterday saw us:-
Swap engines
Re-spray the fairing
Swap out most of the electrics - coils, ignition box etc
Much testing including taking her for a run up on a private road
Collect the new built up crank and close ratio gearbox
Drink many cups of T
All this and it rained and rained and rained!
Today looks good weather wise and first up is more testing on a private road to make some detail crab changes and then its back here to fit the fairing and 'sticker' her up ready for scrutinizing this afternoon and out again this evening.
I hope to crack on later today with the build of engine no 3 - which will be our race engine for the day featuring the very best of everything!!!
Pics soon.
Take care all and here's to a good fast and safe practice tonight.
May the timings begin and lets see of we can crack an 80mph lap from the off!!!