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All content © Bob MuIIins | ||
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Rock Oil Championship Westwood near Sheffield played host to the third round of the RAW Enduro Rock Oil Championship where just short of 200 riders had an awesome track to compete on. A full week of track preparation at Westwood by the RAW crew shone through as track conditions were almost perfect. The testing undulating woodland was complimentated by a small MX type sestion on the grass slopes just off the start. Youth A Raw Enduro supported rider Saul Hirst made an awesome start taking the holeshot, his team mate and nearset rival in class Richie Moorhouse made life hard work by looping his bike on the uphill start. Keeping Hirst honest Moorhouse hunted him down, in the end positions never changed with Saul Hirst taking the win from Richie Moorhouse. Logan Wilcox a newcomer to enduro did a great job in his first non MX event to take the youth B win. Jamie Williams was runner up with Cory Cookland rounding out the top three.
In the closing stages of the morning adult event an injured rider needed the full attention of the medics, once RAW staff were informed his care had been taken over by ambulance staff the afternoon schedule was resumed slightly later then the original planned start time. An Awesome Expert line up of new fewer than 16 took to row 1. As the experts were flagged away Ryan Heinz, Ryan Staveley and Andy Noakley were fighting for first turn bragging rights, as the dust cloud settled Noakley was the first rider to enter the main woodland, Andy got up to a 30 second advantage over his rivals, consistent laps with a great pace was only challenged by MPS Sherco mounted Luke Flack who used the event for extra training. Flack kept a steady yet fast pace and eventually passed Noakley, then after fueling he put the hammer down in the last three laps to take a winning advatntage of just over a minute. Brad Lilburn took his Colin Appleyard RAW Husqvarna to a fine third place and in doing so took maximum championship points. A change in the Expert Vets class saw Anthony Tempest take a superb win on His Beta 2 stroke. John Bradford took runner up spot despite a few bangs and bruises from a small excursion towards the end of the race. Championship leader Anthony Ayrton had to pit with a broken tyre bead, fortunatley he fitted a spare wheel then worked hard to get back to a solid third place on the day. The super competitive Clubman class didn't dissapoint once again with Marc Vardy taking the win on 25 laps during the full 2.5 hour race, local rider Andy Myers kept the pressure on Vardy most of the race to take the runner up spot. Kris Weston rounded out the Clubman podium in fine style, even after an unfortunate crash in the only muddy puddle on track. Championship contender Danny Culkin battled through round 3 despite suffering with illness, his 4th place points could well prove vital twards the end of the championship. The Clubman vets class had its own battles, Andy harvey was victorious, with Simon Walker delighted to take runner up spot ahead of RAW Regular Simon Howden in third. Westwood provided some great competition in all three races, as RAW Enduro continues to gain in popularity, the organision are set to use the time before the next Rock Oil Championship Scouting for new venues ready for the 2017 season. The next RAW Event is Round 2 of the RAW Enduro Challenge series on June 12th where a mid season 5 hour two man relay, or solo ironman event awaits. Ellington Banks will be the place of battle as riders seek to improve on round 1 positions and score vital points before the final 6 Hour marathon in August now confirmed at the Awesome Driffield site. Thanks to all RAW crew for a great job running another well organised event popular event. Online event entries now open, fastrack signing on for pre paid entries avoids queues at event control on race day.
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The
first adult event of the day was flagged away right on time in simply
stunning weather conditions. Graham Dickinson was the fast starting
Sportsman who went on to take his first RAW win. Local ace Reece Pickersgill
was delighted to place runner up despite a nightmare start, with Phil
Dodsworth getting his Husky round for a solid third place finish. In the
Sportsman Vets class Lee Pallet took the holeshot and never looked back
taking the win, really happy with his new bike settings, only a small crash
in the closing stages slowed his pace. Over 50 Favourite Ian Heyworth had to
settle for second place at this event being pipped at the post by Andrew
Dean. Pete Fletcher hunted down heyworth and at the flag only 7 seconds
separated the pair. Cole Cookland upgraded to the novice class for this
event and proved he has the skill set to run with the larger bikes, his 18
lap tally was an impressive way to take the win. Jamie Lock was again
delighted to have a strong finish in second spot, with new enduro convert
Henry Harman settling into the groove with a fine third place.