HARLEY Rushton gained his first win of the new Classic Racing Motorcycle Club season in the opening meeting at Pembrey race circuit in South Wales.

It came in the final 350cc race of the weekend as the 21-year-old Ingleton racer’s fortunes proved as mixed as the weather.

Conditions on Saturday were dreadful with torrential rain and strong wind making it tough for the risers.

Rushton had to start from the back row of the grid in the opening 350cc race after an administrative error put the fastest riders at the back of the grid.

In the circumstances an eighth place finish was creditable and Rushton improved on it with sixth in the second race.

Both 500 races on the Saturday were wet and saw Harley suffer from terrible throttle on his Manx Norton machine.

His bike was virtually impossible to ride but Rushton managed to secure 14th and ninth places to again get some championship points.

Sunday morning brought with it blue skies sun and a drying track. Rushton appreciated the change and was pipped by just 100th of a second by Isle of Man rider Olie Linsdel for the victory.

The first 500cc race was in damp conditions with parts of the circuit drying out, Harley finished eight with his throttle problem sorted.

The second was staged in totally dry conditions and he took a solid sixth place.

His best effort on the Norton came in the 500cc ACU race when he came second behind Linsdel by one tenth of a second.

Straight after the ACU race was the final Honda 350 race of the weekend. Rushton was in second place behind Alan Oversby until his rival started to lose power and he seized his chance to overtake.

Once at the front he built a lead and finished three seconds ahead of his nearest rival who was Linsdel.

Rushton said: “I'm so pleased I finally got this win because this weekend was looking bleak not only weather wise but also my results weren't great. I'm glad I've proved to myself that I'm still capable of winning races in 2016 and hope to continue doing so at my home round, Croft at the beginning of May.”