The Putoline Hamsterley Enduro round 5 NEEC DIRTBIKE-ACTION
Lusher takes command at Hamsterley
Photos John Lupton

Round 5 of the NEEC took the riders to Hamsterley forest for the first time in 2 decades, the organizing of the event was a challenge in itself with endless meetings with the forestry as more and more obstacles to the event occurred, but Dirtbike-Action succeeded in the end and on Sunday 7th September the forest was alive with enduro bikes.

After 15 hours of heavy rain over Friday night and in to Saturday day the course had become wet in places so setting times and distance was tricky with 4 laps for championship and expert riders, clubman and 040 on 3 laps with the sportsman and 050 on 2 laps .

Sunday weather was bright and warm as the riders departed on the 14 mile loop, Luke lusher in the championship class made the going look easy as he picked his way around the technical course, setting fastest times in the test he went on to win the championship class. Dan Field wrestled a big crf450 to 1st place in the expert class despite the machine wanting to brew up in the tight going!! Darren cousins took second place, Liam Radcliffe had his best result in the series so far with 3rd.

The o40 class was won by Karl Greenall 250f KTM just beating arch rival and friend Mike Alty 350f KTM while in the clubman E1 class was won by Alan Heath who also won the clubman class outright , E2 clubman was won by Liam Ward KTM, with James Nichols KTM 300 wining the club E3 class

Charles Bregazzi made the long trip from the Isle of Man worthwhile by winning the 050 class, As parts of the course cut up the sportsman started to struggle but significant number finished on time with Adam Carrick winning the sportsman E1, Phil Dodsworth the E2, and Chris Downham E3 classes

The sportsman class seem to have a big ability gap and a lot of riders struggled while many cleaned the times maybe it’s time this class was split into 2 ability classes for next year. Dirtbike Action’s John kerwin said it was a hard event and it took a lap for some of the new heather trails to bed in but they got better as the event went on, only a few boggy spots needed care to get through, well done to all the riders that finished, and a big thanks to all that helped and the forestry hopefully we will be back next year.

Results - Standings

Dirtbike Action will be back in action with the Putoline Helmsley Enduro weekend the final round of the 2014 NEEC 18/19 October , were we will have 2 special tests 1 massive stubble test and an xc test and new moorland going to keep things fresh Details