All content © Bob MuIIins

Close racing @ ACU Sprint opener.

The promise of Spring blossomed in the Dorset hedgerows this weekend for the opening round of the ACU British Sprint Championship at Rogershill Raceway but a cold North wind whipped through the blades of the windmill - that dominates the track - and ensured that the racing went at an equally brisk pace. 

The event was organised by Fast Eddy Racing and Fast Eddy himself had laid out both tests to satisfy the entire range of rider's abilities, The MX test was fast but there were logs and tyres to negotiate. The Enduro test was technical but there were fast straights and sweeping berms. Rogershill is a great facility with both tests within an easy walking distance of the paddock and the cosy canteen full of the alluring aromas of beef and onions. 

The event began at 11.00 am on Saturday morning following the rider's briefing and a sighting lap. A full entry of 120 riders were divided into 2 groups. The Pros, Experts and Clubman started with 6 laps of the MX track while the Youths and Veterans tackled the Enduro test with it's infamous quarry face.

Brad Freeman (Colwyn Bay KTM) was back to top form after a year off due to ankle injury and he was buoyed up by an overall win at the previous weekend's FIM European Enduro Championship opening round in Italy. Steve Holcombe was also fired up after winning for Beta on home ground in the Italian Championship. Steve won the first heat on both tests but Brad had the number one plate and he was determined to keep hold of it by wining the other 10 tests to take the Day 1 win from Steve by 4 seconds. Daryl Bolter (KTM) was 3rd after the MX tests with a 14 second lead over Tom Sagar (Sherco) but Tom worked away at the deficit on the Enduro test to take 3rd from Daryl on the Enduro test by 2 seconds. Jack Edmondson crashed on his first heat but he clawed his way back into 5th. Lee Sealey won the prize for "save of the day" with a massive power slide that slid him into 6th. Josh Gotts was 7th despite blowing a rear shock. Charlie Evans was 8th despite carrying the extra weight of fatherhood. Rich Ely was getting some good height on the MX test but the high life proved to be too much for his chain which snapped on landing and took out his clutch casing.

All that practice at Cwmythig Hill has paid off for Alex Walton who won the Expert class ahead of Army rider Tom Elwood. Local hero Bradley King was 3rd, Kev Murray was 4th and Jordan Ridgway was 5th. There were Desperate times for Dan Mundell and Dan Price who both retired. The Best Clubman was Fred Adams (E3). Brad Rowlands (E1) was runner up and Jack Nixey (E2) was 3rd. Brendan Griffiths was 4th and Richard Cookland was 5th.

In the Vets Mark Hawkins took top honours, Andy Daniels was runner up and Danny Hall traveled all the way from the end of the lane to take 3rd. Colin Blunt was 4th and Jim Hawkins was 5th. Well done Jim lad. Harry Edmondson won the Youth class ahead of Henry Yardley and Jake James. Kate Smith won the Ladies class. Gemma Holtham was 2nd and Emily Hall was 3rd. The best Sportsman was Ben Key. Steve Furr was runner up and Dan Ford was 3rd.

Day 2

On Day 2 the battle between Steve Holcombe and Brad Freeman was even closer with Steve winning the overall weekend by 2 seconds. Jack Edmondson had a better day to complete the podium. Daryl Bolter was 4th and Tom Sagar was 5th.

Tom Ellwood won the Experts - an impressive achievement from someone who has only been riding for 2 years. Bradley King was runner up and Alex Walton was 3rd. Kev Murray was 4th and Lewis Bellfield was 5th.

Fred Adams was the best Clubman on both days. Aston Day was runner up and Jack Nixey was 3rd. Brendan Griffiths 4th and Richard Cookland 5th.

In Group B Gemma Holtham started the 2nd day slowly but improved throughout the day to win the Ladies class, 2nd was Kate Smith and 3rd Emily Hall. Ben Key was on level pegging going into afternoon session but he flew on the MX track to win the best Sportsman by 2 minutes from 2nd Connor Stewart and 3rd Steve Furr. In the Vets Andy Daniels was the fastest. Danny Hall was 2nd and Colin Blunt was 3rd.

Henry Yardley and Harry Edmondson once again joined in their duel for the Youth class. There was nothing between them on the Enduro test but Harry dropped his bike and 15 seconds on the first MX test of the afternoon session. Henry Yardley was the best Youth, 2nd was Harry Edmondson and Brett Rowland was 3rd.