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The Ultimate Jungle sure didn't disappoint!
Track n Trails Grand National Cross country Scramble Series

Round 3 sponsored by Alpine stars

The overnight showers cleared and left behind a warm humid day for this jungle experience for the very healthy number of racers for Track n Trails Round 3 Grand National Cross country Scramble Series.

Track n Trail has kept back the very best venues for the 2015 Grand National Cross country Scramble Series and The Ultimate Jungle Track didn’t disappoint. This is not surprising as with the help of a big team of track layers the jungle was reworked and reversed for the first time and lots of widening of the course for new fast overtaking lines. The new open sandy scramble section was a welcomed extra offering a real blast after the contrast of flowing wood land. For the final touch the track was graded to perfection.

First race was a great battle from start to finish in the 125 youth race with the lead swapping places constantly for one and a half hours. This race was a real nail biter with Liam Bartlett and Ben Harvey from start to finish. On Lap 3 the two leaders had a coming together on the spine with Ben coming off the worse losing precious time dragging his bike back up through the rhododendrons! Liam led for the next 2 laps, with Ben taking him on lap 5 but it was Liam’s Day in the end Ben’s back wheel pushing him across the finish line. Freddie Box finished in 3rd just ahead of Harvey Wright, who had had a battle of their own throughout.

Brett Rowland was never chanllenged in the Big wheel 85 class with Thomas Appleyard taking 2nd. Alfie Webb took first in Small wheel 85. Another up and coming youngster on his 65cc didn’t disappoint taking first place. With Cavan Watts, a lap down taking second. With John Stanley finishing in third just ahead of Joe Corbett.

Round 3, Track and Trail returned to a Hare & Hounds format, which most definitely suited the jungle! It was a 2 ½ hour race for the adults and 1 ½ for the youth.

Charlie Frost led from start to finish in the Championship class finishing more than 6 minutes ahead of Jack Penhaligan in 2nd place. Bradley Rowland put in a stunning performance after challenging Charlie on the first lap for the lead. Hard to believe that his time last year this young 17 year old was still racing in the youth!

Roger Holland racing in Experts won the class and also finished 2nd overall in the event. Second place Expert, James Benney, after a poor start managed to work his way up the field to 2nd place on lap 6. Will Bridger finished in the top three, also despite a poor start.

Over 40’s Expert saw a clash of The Titans, the combined experience of the top 3 guys must be at least a century of racing. The wily old fox Jack Twentyman took the lead on lap 4 and never looked back. We knew the weather forecast was looking bad on Saturday when the wet weather rider Tim Hunt booked in. Sunday saw him take 2nd place, after leading on Lap 2 & 3. Steve Jose had a cracking start in first place but Hunt and Twentyman put him in his place, leaving him in a convincing third place.

Clubman 2 stroke, saw young gun Nathan Newman lead from start to finish and finish 10 minutes ahead of his closest rival Rob Higgs. With Jacob Young a lap down in 3rd place.

Ben Hampshire in Clubman 4 stroke also took a 10 minute lead at the chequered flag, leading throughout the race. Simon Trevaskis took 2nd over Joe Sulivan who finished a lap down.

Over 40’s Clubman saw a huge turnout with all the top three on 9 laps and only 3 minutes separating them. Tim Cotton led from start to finish, Geoff Brigden who started slowly got into his stride to take 2nd. Jim Hawkins had a steady ride to take 3rd.

The infamous Over 50’s class, with its many characters in this star studded line up. No real surprise to see that Graham Darby put in another great performance leading from start to finish. His closest rival in the overall championship Richard Strawbridge had a disastrous day, after going down on the first corner, setting off dead last, never really got in his stride. Richard Holland who after a steady start soon got into position in 2nd place holding it to the end. Tim Newman put in a fine performance, right on Hollands heels, only giving away 55 seconds to come in 3rd.

Hannah Clarke who has blossomed over the years coming up through the youth ranks, taking a fine win over all the gentleman in Sportsman 2. Leaving Ben Langton in 2nd and Finley Davey in 3rd.

In Sportsman 4 stroke Dan Ford who must have had a disastrous start come through in 16th place, must have then put the hammer down and worked his way into the lead after 2 ½ hours. Darren Clarke led for the best part of the race, conceded to ford on the 2nd to last lap, to finish 2nd. Collin Watkins held 3rd positon throughout the day.

Well done to Sam Wariner who was the only Trail rider to tame the Jungle!

Well done to everyone who competed and a big thanks for all that helped out to make Round 3 an amazing experience for all to be involved in.

Full report to follow

Follow this link for the Provisional Adult results http://www.trackntrail.co.uk/Tenko%202015%20Results.htm