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All content © Bob MuIIins |
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Ashby Moto Park Fast Eddy Christmas blast Smiffy Superb at Ashby Veteran rider Ady Smith shrugged off the effects of his Boxing Day Wild and Wooly mud-encrusted outing to take the win at Ashby on Sunday. His legs held out as he was on the pegs for most of the two-hour race, lapping every rider in the field. Not bad for an old un! A collaboration between Fast Eddy and Keith Staines saw Ashby Moto Park buzzing with activity on Sunday for an event that provided plenty of high quality entertainment and equally good racing. Torrential overnight rain meant that some of the water features had to be drained a little otherwise the Youth riders on 65's would have disappeared from view but in the main the woodchip course did its job and provided an excellent racing surface, although where the woodchip ended the mud took over and tested the grit of most riders.
At least the Youth race riders didn't have to face the ditch. It was cut from their lap and a small chicken-run got them past that tricky spot but they faced the same course as the adults for the remainder of the lap and it was credit to all of the finishers in the 90-minute race. Harry Edmondson, the most junior member of the Edmondson clan and often overshadowed by brother Jack and Fast Ed, rode a faultless race. He embodies the Edmondson style and improves on it with every race. He didn't put a wheel wrong and led from the start to take an impressive win in tough conditions for 85cc machines. George Yardley pushed Harry hard for the first half of the race and secured second overall in the process as Charlie Chater grabbed third spot.
The day was clear at first then cloudy as the adults lined up for their two-hour endurance test. The last thing the course needed was more water and luckily the forecast rain held off until the race finished. Expert rider Ady Smith took to the start line looking as fresh as ever, even though he had raced the insane Wild and Wooly the day before, jumping into the lead as the start flag dropped. Henry Yardley was on his shoulder but only for the first few yards. The front row was a mix of Experts, Clubman and Youth riders and Darren Cox got away cleanly to lead the Clubman class, closely followed by Sam Alderman. The Vets were relieved to see that Keith Staines was still at his van looking for his boots and helmet as the start flag dropped. Geoff Taylor and Chris Edwards tussled with Andy Davies but it was too soon to celebrate as Stainer found his kit, with some adult assistance, and joined the fray like a man possessed. The Sportsman class soon had Guy Britton firmly in the lead with Dean Hancox and Simon Howden battling each other and the course at the same time. Mixed in with the Sportsmen was the Novice class riders with Lee Jackson and Craig Lovet trying to catch Britton off the start.
The Clubman class saw a head to head between Sam Alderman and Darren Cox, both on 17 laps at the finish with Cox just slightly ahead. Sportsman Guy Britton surprised himself with third overall. Renowned for his crashing abilities, Britton was 'helped' by the world's most inept pit crew who ate all his jelly babies, drank his drink and were busy chatting up girls and taking selfies when he stopped for fuel. It is small wonder he managed to finish at all, let alone in third overall. He won his class as Dean Hancox and Simon Howden took second and third. Keith Staines roared into fourth overall at the head of the Veterans class, much to the disappointment of Geoff Taylor and Chris Edwards, who only just beat Stainer to the start line despite having hours to get ready. Many of these veteran riders need some adult assistance or at least someone who can remember where they put thing down, such as helmet, boots and bike etc. Lee Jackson nailed the Novice class win ahead of Craig Lovet and Bluey Walker in what was the largest class of the day.
Results Youth Race: 1. Harry Edmondson. 2. George Yardley. 3. Charlie Chater Expert: 1. Ady Smith Youth: 1. Henry Yardley Clubman: 1. Darren Cox. 2. Sam Alderman Sportsman: 1. Guy Britton. 2. Dean Hancox. 3. Simon Howden Veterans: 1. Keith Staines. 2. Geoff Taylor. 3. Chris Edwards Novice: 1. Lee Jackson. 2. Craig Lovet. 3. Bluey Walker
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The
large central motocross arena gave spectators an excellent overview of many
of the more interesting section of the course, a course that many riders
didn't bother to walk beforehand but tucked into bacon and egg sarnies
instead and paid the price - especially on the first lap. There was a ditch
that came as a complete surprise followed later on by a single concrete pipe
that stopped some riders dead in their tracks, more from shock than
difficulty: as if the course wasn't tricky enough, someone had dropped a
pipe across the track! The woodland mud pool right after a blind corner was
also very entertaining but only for the spectators! Fast Eddy and Stainer
showed a small amount of compassion by cutting the woodland bottom half of
the course, otherwise there would still be riders out there now.
A special mention must go to young Joe Cornelius who was out for the
first time. Despite having technical problems that saw him out of the race
for quite a while he returned to finish on 5 laps on a tough course for a
first outing.
Just before the midway point of the race Ady Smith passed his closest
rival Henry Yardley who was in the pits trying to change his gloves without
much success. Smiffy pitted a couple of laps later as the bike spluttered
for fuel but he had plenty of time in hand, his pit crew were superb, and
went on to win by a clear lap over Youth rider Yardley who took second spot.
This was a terrific fun event, especially for spectators who were treated
to plenty of crashes and five minutes watching marshal Ian Tyler-Bond trying
to help a rider out of a ditch. They both had to be rescued in the end.
Loads of fun and a great finish to the year for Ashby Moto Park and Fast
Eddy Racing.