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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||||||||||||
 
Fast Eddy Racing The regular Fast Eddy Racing season ended with a bang at Brake Hill Farm, Northants, last weekend. Saturday's Husqvarna Demo-day, combined with a FED practice day, saw the venue packed to near capacity as riders enjoyed the cracking course laid out by the Fast Eddy crew. Sunday was a slightly more nervous affair as many of the class titles were up for grabs at the final round of the 2016 Rock Oil XC Championship. Virtually all the regulars were out in force and they were joined by plenty of new faces that could see just how good the venue was. Overnight rain forced a slight delay to the start of racing on Sunday, Fast Eddy's lap inspection saw him return with tyres caked in mud but with the sun shining and a slight breeze the course was improving as each minute passed so a 30-minute delay proved to be a very smart move. By the third lap the ground was absolutely perfect.
Instead of the usual start around part of the MX track, the riders lined up in the large field at the far side of the venue and curled onto the course near its midpoint before entering the woods and eventually reaching the MX section. The adult race started proceedings for once, giving the later youth race a course that would be in pristine condition. It worked a treat. Derek Bawn was on top form and he grabbed the lead as the start flag fell, only Expert rider Jack Ditchfield was able to keep him in sight for the first few laps but Bawn had the bit between his teeth and gradually pulled clear to eventually win by nearly a minute over his closest rival. The battle of the day was played out behind him as Jack and Max Ditchfield battled for family bragging rites. Jack held second spot for over half the race with Harry Edmondson working his way into contention in third spot and Clubman Max Ditchfield in fourth. Henry Yardley and Jacob Bowden were also in the mix, Yardley recovering from a dreadful start in the Youth class. With Bawn untouchable at the head of the field developments took a turn when Max Ditchfield pitted exceptionally well, overtaking Edmondson in the pits to move into third spot. He charged onwards with his big brother firmly in his sights, Jack Ditchy began to look nervously over his shoulder as the end of the race approached. Edmondson crashed and was out of contention as the whole of the venue scrutinised the battle of the brothers. Eventually the inevitable happened and Clubman Max Ditchfield overtook Expert Jack Ditchfield, much to the appreciation of the crowd. The overtake would have attracted the attention of any FIM F1 regulatory panel but this is Enduro and Jack Ditchy just had to suck it up. Thirteen seconds separated them at the finish and the celebrations began for some of the Ditchfield camp. Jack was magnanimous in defeat although he did point out that his refuelling took over a minute whereas Max's took 12 seconds and that Max had always been the favourite son but that aside, he wasn't bitter at all.
In consolation, Jack Ditchy took the Expert class win with Jacob Bowden a solid second and, following a terrific ride, George Birchall took third. Max Ditchy won the Clubman class ahead of Rich Cookland and Andy Myers.
Another family was battling for top spot in their household, Scott Mead topped the Sportsman class while Dad Daryl won the Sportsman Vets, both taking respective Championship wins. Sean Taylor and Stuart Robson were second and third in the Sportsman class while Shaun James and Royce Machin followed suit in the Sportsman Vets. Flyin Ryan Griffiths took a break from stunt riding to win the Clubman Vets although some of his moves verged on stunt riding as Kev Sandland nursed his dying Honda to second place ahead of Louis Davis.
The 90-minute Youth race had the best conditions of all. The weather stayed fine throughout the day and the 1pm start was timed to perfection. Charlie Chater was off the start line fastest in the BW85-150 class but Sam Davies seized his chance and took to the front halfway around the first lap, never to look back. Chater lost his exhaust at one point and his charge was over as he pitted for a replacement but he had enough time in hand to take second spot ahead of Mathew Harries. William Farrow topped the 85cc SW class ahead of Adam James and Jamie Williams while Sion Evans had a great outing in the 65ccs to win the class ahead of Cory Cookland and Jack Sandland. The whole weekend was a blast but there is no denying the highpoint was Max Ditchy's overtake of brother Jack. Three and a half hours to drive home must have seemed like an eternity in the Ditchfield van. The 2016 Rock Oil XC Championship could not have had a better finale. Hard work by the Fast Eddy crew throughout the season and continued support from long serving sponsor Rock Oil really makes this series one of the best in the country. Results
Next event 1st October - Fast Eddy Racing FED Day at Bicton. SY3 8EU. - Details 2nd October - Fast Eddy Winter championship Rd.1 at Bicton. SY3 8EU. Details
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Brake Hill Farm has an excellent MX track, combined with flowing woodland
sections and a large undulating field section that gave riders a course that
was simply a pleasure to ride.
Henry Yardley once again proved he is a force to be reckoned with as he
won the Youth class by a lap over Jacob James, finishing fifth overall into
the bargain. Callum Sedgwick took third in class.