NORTH RIDING ENDURO CLUB DONATE £2000 TO THE YORKSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE
Report Ellie Cooke Photos Chris Hudson

Yet again The North Riding Enduro Club set high standards for a challenging hare and hounds in the North of England at round four of the NEXC Championship held at Thorp Perrow, Bedale.

The track contained a variety of different sections such as the fast field edges, tight flowing woodland and the "extreme" section consisting off tractor tyres and logs, all on what you could say Sir John Ropners front garden. The Great British weather was not on our side, with torrential downpours the week leading up to the race meant conditions were going to be tough and slippy also creating deep ruts. Thankfully the weather held off during the race but the heavens soon opened up as the last man crossed the line, leaving the de-markers to clear up in the downpour.

The event kicked off at 9am sharp with the Youth riders rearing to go and tackle the slippy and demanding, slightly shortened course. It was Max Griffin who got off to a promising start, coming from an MX background he used his speed and determination to grab the holeshot leading the pack around the fast field blast. With the challenging conditions ahead Scott Russell took the lead for several laps until Griffin soon found his feet and went on to take the win on 7 laps. Scott managed to keep hold of second place closely followed by NREC team rider Dom Richardson who was as flowing as ever in the mud.

The ladies class consisted of two young girls who were not phased by the conditions. Leanne Field battled her way through the slippy terrain to take home first place. Natasha Dodds had an astounding ride and took second place even after falling into the stream!

All junior riders showed us they have got what it takes to compete in hare and hounds with James Rial taking a well deserved win on his 65 followed by Max Lofthouse in second. The ever improving Sam "FMTS" Boyd took a credible third place on his KTM 65.
A massive well done is in order to all you Youth, Ladies and Junior riders!

North Riding Enduro Club, who are a non-profit making club had decided that any profit made would be put to good use. It was decided that £2000 would be donated to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance with Helen there to receive a check from NREC rider Ellie Cooke, which was presented at the riders briefing.

After a few track alterations it was time for the big boys and girls to hit the track. It was Adam "Biff" Smith who had a charging start taking the holehost for Championship and Expert line. Biff was leading for the first part of the race until disaster struck and his engine blew up allowing first time daddy to be Luke Lusher to take the lead and go on to take the overall win on his Sherco. Vince Harker showed everyone what he is worth of by keep is consistent and grabbing second place closely followed by George Walton in third.

The Expert winner Rob Dawson displayed some smooth and quality riding on his new Factory Sherco 300 keeping it consistent also taking home the Phil Corner Memorial Trophy, which is presented at Thorp each year to the Expert winner in memory of Phil. Damian Butler sat in second place for the majority of the race having a comfortable ride in preparation to a trip out to Erzberg this week. Local Bedale lad, Michael "Spike" Gilby had a fantastic ride after not racing for 8 months he proved everyone he still has the natural talent, speed and determination behind him setting the fastest lap of the day (11 minutes 49) Riding his new Honda 250 four stroke he dominated the course leading the Expert class for the majority of the race, however after a slight mistake and stalling the bike meant he missed out on the win and took home a credible third place.

Clubman E1 saw young Ben Clemit manhandled his bike with a seven and half minute lead taking the win followed by Andy Polson on his new Husaberg 125 take second place. Andrew Bywater grabbed third place.

The batttle for the holeshot for the Clubman E2 and E3 line saw Eurotek rider Nick Sanderson and Acklams Beta rider Joel Sadler fight for the lead. It was Sadler who pipped to the post first leading for the first field blast. Rhys Bradford knocked up a respectable fastest lap time in the Clubman E2 class of 14 minutes, with a very impressive ride from the Bradford Junior he went from last of the start line to take the win of the E2 class one lap clear of second place, even after having to re-fit his gear leaver mid race. Paul Raine knocked up second place after closely battling with Glenn Broadhurst he pipped to the post first with a different of 0.08 seconds.

The ever improving Acklams Beta ride Joel Sadler took a well deserved win in the Clubman E3 class, just under 8 minutes clear of Ryan Martin in second and Craig Thompson in third.

With a large entry in the Over 40s class of 16 riders showed everyone they still had what it takes. With the competition high, John "Bullet" Bradford was out to do business, from the word go he was a man on a mission knocking up 13 laps and finishing 4 minutes 45 seconds clear of Anthony Tempest on his Honda who managed to get into first place on the last lap before running out of fuel 300yards from the finish knocking him to second place. Kyle Deswert followed in third place.

At 12 noon the Sportsman and Over 50's filtered into the course for two and a half hours duration. Clerk of the Course Andy Cooke was getting ready to set the Sportsman E1 line off when a bike two lines behind fired up trying to sneak in an extra warm up. Having to stop their engine again one rider then tried to jump the start before the Sportsman E1 line was away. Nathan Ball was on form as the muddy conditions did not phase him on his KTM 250 four stroke, after battling with Rob Pickard for the majority of the race Ball went on to take the win ahead of Pickard and Danny Culkin in third, who was crashed into a tree and had to pick his way through the riders again.

The biggest class of the day was Sportsman E2 with 27 riders. Mark Barrow did not fail to perform, leading strong from the start and finishing one lap ahead of Anthony Pomroy in second and Darren Almack trailing closely behind in third.

Matthew Mills and Gary Nicholson battled for the two and a half hour duration but it was Mills who pipped to the post first taking the win 7 seconds ahead of Gary. Eddie Meek had an enjoyable ride in the tough conditions finishing 1 minute 11 seconds behind Matthew.

Mark Houson put in a great performance in the Over 50s class navigating his way through some tough rutty conditions to take the win ahead one lap clear of John Lofthouse in second and Rick Rial in third.

Apart from the miserable British Weather it was a good day all in all. North Riding Enduro Club would like to thank everyone involved once again, the event would not be able to go ahead with out any of your hard work.

The next round of the NEXC Championship is held at Low North Park, Scarborough. For more details please visit: http://www.enduro-neec.org.uk/calendar.php