All content © Bob MuIIins

Cotswold Enduro Club
Rock Oil H&H Final Round
At Wymeswold

Cotswold Enduro Club's last minute change of venue for the final round of the 2015 Rock Oil Hare & Hounds Championship paid dividends as the new venue, Wymeswold MX track, was in perfect condition and provided a very close finish to many classes. Matt Porter was again unbeatable but this time out he was on a Leisure Trail / First MX KTM 250F which handled like a dream around the 5.1 mile course which was tight and twisty in places to say the least. Cotswold guru Pete Carter eked out every available yard at the venue and ventured across the farm track into the surrounding fields, full of whoops and bomb holes. The MX track and surrounding land provided plenty of action, fast and technical, for a superb end to a terrific series.

Originally scheduled for Haresfield the event was moved at the last minute because of very soggy conditions at the Gloucestershire venue but Wymeswold provided excellent conditions and plenty of variation, plus the chance to hit an MX track hard, which is rare for hare and hounds events. Although there were several other major events running on the same day Cotswold Enduro Club still pulled in an excellent entry of hard core CEC riders. With many of the class championships resting on this final round, all the main contenders were present and eager to race.

Usually Matt Porter leaves the start line at the front and disappears into the distance, but not on this occasion. Adam Casteldine, also on a KTM instead of his usual Suzuki, hit the front with Luke Gorse close behind with Kirk Giles and Zeb Rhodes in his wheel tracks. As the pack hit the first table-top Porter had moved up but Casteldine still had the lead and made the most of the string of puddles after the jump by giving Porter a taste of his own medicine, soaking him head to toe. Three times the riders appeared and then disappeared from the start field as the maze-like course wended its way to the MX track proper then out onto the far side of the farm to a field of whoops and bomb holes that proved to be the undoing of many unwary riders.

Porter had the lead by halfway around the first lap and it was clear he was at one with the new KTM, riding as smoothly as ever. Head down he charged to another convincing Pro Championship class win at the head of the field. Brendan and Tony Griffiths were wheel to wheel for many of the opening laps, both contenders in the championship race. Brendan dropped it on the approach to one of the many table-top jumps then, covered in mud, continued until his bike seized solid further around the course. His charge for second overall in the championship was over. It was heartbreaking at the time but upon reflection he will realise what an excellent season he has had. Tony Griffiths went on to take second in class and third overall with Casteldine third in class.

Zeb Rhodes led the Expert charge and finished second overall, some six minutes behind Porter, as Dylan Spencer had an excellent outing to take second in class ahead of Kirk Giles in third.

The Veterans dominated many of the top ten spots. Keith Jenkins, swift, silent and deadly took the Over 50's win following an epic battle with Martin Jakeman who won the Over 40's vets. Classes didn't seem to matter to these two, it was a matter of pride and determination as both riders fought to the final lap with Jenkins just pulling a slight lead over Jakeman to win his class ahead of Rob Sewell and Mick Belcher while Jakeman won the 40+ class ahead of Carl Harmston and Darren Bedford.

Ellis Frend put in the performance of the season to win the Sportsman/Novice class, a lap ahead of any of the Clubman riders! A move up the ranks seems in order for next season and he will not be alone as second placed Anthony Kirby also beat all the Clubmen. James Flannigan nailed third in class, quite an achievement considering the huge number of Sportsman/Novice riders.

Blake Summers was in the running for the Clubman 2T top three in the championship and winning the class at Wymeswold certainly helped his bid for a podium place, especially as great friend and close rival Steve Norbury was in third spot and is now waiting with bated breath for the overall results from the season. The pair was split by Sean Flannigan who took second in class.

Russ Pullen rode hard to put 10 minutes between himself and second placed Tim Muston in the Clubman 4T ranks with Neil Varden taking third in class.

Jerry Adams, alone once again in the Classic (Pre 86 class), put on a superb display of 80's riding on his XT500, performing big jumps with the tail of the bike hanging from the sky in typical old-school fashion and beating many modern bikes to the finish flag in the process.

Pete Carter's vision and the Wymeswold venue provided an excellent finale to the Rock Oil Hare 7 Hounds Championship season. Great racing and terrific sportsmanship combined for a superb day out.

Well done to all at Cotswold Enduro Club for an excellent championship.