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Fast Eddy Racing Rock Oil XC Championship
Round 3 at Ashby Moto Park

The Rock Oil XC Championship burst back into life as Fast Eddy Racing ran the third round of the 2016 series at Ashby Moto Park on Sunday in very hot conditions. It is not often an enduro track is watered but landowner Keith Staines made sure the going was good and not too dusty throughout the whole weekend.

As usual the friendly family atmosphere prevailed as the three scheduled races began with the Youth riders for 90 minutes. The top three spots were filled, unsurprisingly, with riders from the big wheel 85-150cc class although young George Yardley on his 85cc small wheeler did well to keep on pace with the larger machines.

Charlie Chater, recently sponsored by Bridgestone, seems to have really found his form and took no prisoners on his way to winning the race by over three-minutes clear of second placed Sam Davies and a further two minutes ahead of Matthew Harris in third. George Yardley won his class by two clear laps, taking fourth overall and matching the leading three on laps. Benjamin Cook and Jamie Williams followed him home. Adam James and Sion Evans were close throughout the race in the 65cc class with James just pulling a 47 second lead by the time the flag appeared as Cory Cookland took third spot.

Youth class rider Luke Knight grabbed the holeshot at the start of the Youth, Sportsman, Novice and Sportsman Veterans race, followed by Callum Sedgewick but Henry Yardley, Jacob James and Harry Edmondson soon made their way to the front and the race was on between these three usual contenders. Yardley and James pulled clear and matched each other lap for lap until the two hours ran out and Yardley took a well-deserved win by 48-seconds ahead of James as Edmondson rode to third spot, a lap down on the leaders.

Scott Mead was the closest non-Youth rider, taking fourth overall and winning the Sportsman class three minutes clear of Joel Foster and Richard Drewell. In the Sportsman Veterans section David Williams led the way home with a great win as Tim Sabine took second with Shaun James third. David Simpkin had the Novice class in the bag by quite a margin. Frankie White-Edwards took second place, a lap down on Simpkin but a lap ahead of Ian Foster in third place.

The afternoon race saw a great ride in the Pro class from James Jackman, back to winning ways on a Yamaha after many years apart, as he managed to keep ahead of Derek Bawn for 14 laps. Bawn rode exceptionally well but on this occasion Jackman was just that little bit faster. Ben Murphy posted the fastest lap of the race but struggled in the heat to eventually finish third in class.

Brad Williams took the Expert win and rose to second overall, keeping just over four minutes clear of a hard-charging Jack Ditchfield who was second in the Expert class and third overall. Jacob Bowden outlasted brother Ash to secure the final podium spot in the Experts.

Sean O'Neill's long journey from South Wales was rewarded with a win in the Clubman Veterans class on 11 laps while John Bradford posted 10 in second place and Kev Sandland 9 in third spot.

Ryan Hughes had quite a day in the Clubman class. It was his first outing at that level and he won the class convincingly on his 18th birthday. It was definitely a day to remember. Andy Myers was a couple of minutes adrift of Hughes and took second with Lee Hattersley showing signs of a return to form in third spot.

It was a very warm day, especially in the afternoon where the heat had an effect on a few riders but most simply battled onwards. All three races ran well at Ashby Moto Park and this was another event to consolidate this series as a tough, quality and competitive championship.

Well done to Fast Eddy racing.