|
|
|
|
All content © Bob MuIIins |
||
  
THE CF RACING SUCKER PUNCH 100 EXTREME ENDURO
Extremely Enjoyable Extreme "WOR Events know a thing or too when it comes to hosting off road Motorcycle events and even more so when it comes to delivering quality Extreme Enduro's like their latest production, the "Sucker Punch 100" which ran last Sunday in the clubs superb North Wales forestry complex. The event sold out in 24hrs when the entries opened online a few weeks back and its not hard to see why. The bar just got raised in the niche of Extreme Enduro in the UK as this
event was cheered by literally every rider that crossed the line with a
knackered and tired look about them but also one of delight and proud
achievement etched into each bit of dried mud on their faces.
Race creator and organiser Steve Ireland tweaked the format for this 3rd running of the event and it was widely received as one of the best events yet as the course was now to be ridden over 5hrs and aiming for the gold medal score of 5 laps of the 20k lap that would total 100 kilometres for the hardy riders. Of course anything WOR do with the word "Extreme" in it will have some sections of track that will push, test and challenge the best riders out there and this brilliant race did just that. The track was designed to be ride able and stay in its entirety for the duration of the event and it did just that as the fast and flowing fire roads and trails linked to sections of extreme enduro that were perfectly planned to be achievable and satisfying for the riders to complete and race over. In effect there were at least 5 sections along the way of the 12 mile lap that offered these extreme challenges, from slippery root infested climbs, to rock strewn streams, slippery steep downhill gulley's and the killer section at the end of the lap that was a slight incline of around 150 yards that had old tree trunks and roots causing absolute chaos for the tired and weary riders as the aimed for the race control, results zone.
Nathan Ball , a Young rider that is certainly one to keep an eye on was
in amazing form as he scooped top honours in the very competitive Clubman
class. Ball on the number 33 Silkoline KTM was 4 minutes plus ahead of
Runner Up, Fred Adams. Mick Boam on the Beta 300 2t is certainly the man to beat in the Over 40's scene of Extreme and Hare Scramble Enduro's. The likeable Derbyshire based 48 year old is smooth, tidy and deceivably fast. Mick led the Over 40 group from start to finish and eventually finished 11 minutes clear of his nearest rival, Ross Hall. Hall himself had a great ride and tracked 3rd placed Chris Green for the entire race eventually passing Green on the last lap. Mark Kirby went well too in the group with a strong ride. In the Sportsman class it was Dave Handley with the winning ride, completing a very impressive 5 laps and Gold placing in just short of 4hrs. 2 minutes behind him and taking the Sportsman Runner Up spot was Scott Booth, fresh from his class win at last weekends, Tough One's Little Brother race. Booth was 20 minutes clear of third placed Oliver Fortune. Booth and Fortune took a well earned Gold medal each too.
At the 5hr cut off point most riders were back at their vans with some kind of reward and comforting knowledge that they had just done a proper, classy event that had challenged them and tired them out yet left most of them in happy and satisfied for their long journeys home. The mark of great event. Well done to all. As always WOR Events would like to thank, the land owners, staff, medics, caterers, media people, and most of all, the riders, for supporting their events and making spectacular events like the Sucker Punch 100 take place. A massive thank you also goes to the event Title sponsor and events partner, CF Racing, the local Huqvarna off road dealer and off road specialist, for their continued and valued support of all things WOR Events Results / laptimes /stats link - CLICK HERE WOR's next events are a RED Saturday funday followed by Rd 1 of the Club';s Wulfsport Winter Hare Scrambles series that kicks off for both Solo's and Quads at another block of forestry the club have in North Wales next weekend on 31st Oct/ 1st Nov. All details at www.worevents.com Race Boss Steve Ireland : "This Sucker Punch 100 has proved unreal, the feedback has been
nothing short of overwhelming, 100% positive and exciting. Each and every
rider did fantastic to finish and complete the track, the Marshal team again
showed why they are simply the best in the business and helped keep this
race run true, safe, and fairly. The new format of the race deffo worked
well and was well received by many. So many riders crossed the finish line
and said it was the best race they had done to date yet, That in it's self
makes us all very proud and happy at WOR Events. I would like to thank
Gareth and the team at CF racing for their continued support of the event
and in fact all of our events and I must finish off with saying how good
these Humphreys boys were again , two weeks out of two with our back to back
weekends of Extreme events with this SP100 and last weeks TOLB, they are
simply Kings Of WOR at the moment. A massive well done to all and even
bigger thanks for the riders that supported the event" |
The
two Humphreys brothers on their Huqvarna 4t's started the event as
favourites with the lads running numbers 1 and 2 on their smart rider bibs
as that was their positions in the last Sucker Punch. Owain, as the
defending Champion, was looking to keep his Younger Brother Gethin behind
him but that was not going to be easy as straight from the off it was the
250f of Gethin that was setting an electric pace at the sharp end of the
results. Never far behind though was the 350f of Owain and these two simply
shocked everyone with the sheer pace at which they attacked the gnarly
track. There was the now famous "stream" section near the end of
the lap and this is a tough, unforgiving mass of water, rocks, branches and
moss covered stones that riders find it hard enough to crawl through never
mind go through at pace, The Humphreys went down this section as if on a
tarmac road in places, speed , strength and skill with a level of fitness
that simply could not be matched by any other rider. Race Boss Steve Ireland
had said in his rider briefing and safety speech at the start of the event
that he anticipated the top riders would win the event with a time of around
2hrs and 40 minutes, he was bang on with that prediction as the Humphreys
boys finished the 100km in 2hrs and 35 minutes or as near damn it. The two
Husqvarna's battled away with one another almost in a race of their own and
as they went into their last lap it was looking like Gethin was going to
take the fight with a small lead. Coming into the final hill section just
before the chequered flag area it was Gethin ahead and entering the stump
section with an aggressive and attacking mindset, But disaster struck for
him in that evil part of the track, making a mistake and getting struck,
Owain passed him and took the lead in a cruel place and even crashing
himself at the top of the section insight of the finish area he managed to
race down the fire road and snatch a stunning Victory out of his brothers
hands. Owain eventually finished 70 seconds ahead and a devastated Gethin
crossed the line for the Runners UP spot. The brothers gave each other a
massive handshake though and decided to share the prize money, a nice touch
indeed even if they did go home in separate vehicles to save the ribbing!
Wayne
Braybrook is a massive name in Extreme Enduro and has done it all, Winner of
Hells Gate, podium man of the Tough One more than any other rider, Last Man
Standing in the United States podium, he has a smooth and classy riding
style that never leaves him along with a tough, up north grit that makes for
a great rider in these conditions. Mounted on his MRS Sherco 4t, Braybrook
was a solid 3rd place on the podium and proved that at 46 years old he can
still be the man to beat. If it was not for the Humphreys eerie speed and
fitness and a 20 year age gap it quite easily could have been Braybrook as
the winner of this tough event. Wayne finished 10 minutes adrift of the
Humphreys and 2 minutes clear of 4th placed Keelan Hancock. Ross Hancock was
a close 5th place to his brother as they too put in a fine display of riding
after the long journey to the event from Cornwall.
Young
Thomas Mahoney did brilliant too, taking the Novice class victory
and completing a super tough 5 laps in 4hrs and 43 minutes. Runner Up was
Darren Kendall with Craig Taylor taking 3rd spot. These guys really did dig
deep.