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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 
RAW Challenge Series Round 2 Ripon (5 Hour) Spike Gilby is the 5 Hour Warrior! Images: Becky’s Enduro Snaps With the UK enjoying Sun Blessed weather for another weekend, the biggest hurdle for many riders at RAW Enduro’s 5 Hour Challenge event was the dust on the open areas. Thankfully a strong breeze blew away any dust created from the Hard Pack Ellington ground. Equally the woodland sections offered a very different challenge as the fast flowing woodland sections gave riders chance to catch a breath before heading back into the paddock area technical section of the course. Around 12 minutes per lap was the perfect tonic for the Challenge events addicts who attended. Clerk of the course Wayne Braybrook knows exactly what is needed for the longer duration races, never one to disappoint Wayne and his crew once again created the perfect track for the 5-hour edition of this 3 round series. A small Youth Support event Saw Sam Boyd winning the youth race from Hayden Stansfield in second place. Tommy Tate was a happy chap taking home third place. After the pre event rider briefing Wayne Braybrook held a one-minute silence as a mark of respect for the people caught up in the London attacks. Local ace Mike Gilby was the man on a mission in the Expert Solo Class on his Acklams Beta, Spike completed 30 laps taking the overall event win. Brothers Phil and Martin Hancock placed second and third. Ben and Josh Hamilton won the Expert team class and were the only other riders completing a 30-lap tally in the 5 hours. Gregory Hough back on his favoured KTM was in great form taking the Clubman Solo class win from a returning to full fitness Adam Mulholland in second. The Clubman team class saw a really tight battle for the first half of the race between Lee Pallet and his Partner Lee Stansfield, the pair duelled it out with James Gamble and Ben Walker, swift team changes and some hot laps saw Stansfield and Pallet taking the win by just over 3 minutes.
A fantastic atmosphere once again surrounded the RAW Challenge event. Even though the event was one hour longer than the first round, the course design and layout perfectly complimented the duration of racing action. Big thank you to all the RAW supporters and Marshals, as always we will ensure our appetite for providing the best events we can deliver stays as our priority. The Final Challenge race is on July 16th at the mighty Driffield where a super long lap will see this series go down to the wire in all classes. NEXT Event on the RAW Schedule is June 24/25th where the Norwood Teversal awaits. The home of televised Scrambles in the 70’s, Norwood will be the venue for round 5 of the Rock Oil Championship providing the weather is pleasant in the week leading up to the event. Keep up to speed with RAW Enduro on socials and via the RAW Website. |
Solo
Class riders are always the warriors when it comes to the longer events.
Richard Hawes was no exception to that as he took a convincing win in the
sportsman class. Stand out rider of the day went to Young Burt Crayston from
D3 Racing; Burt once again impressed his team and rivals by placing his KTM85
on the second step of the podium, well done lad! RAW regular Chris Brown
enjoys his trials riding and proved on Sunday he’s no slouch on an enduro
bike by netting a fantastic third place in class. Mick and Danny Harris took a
one-lap advantage in the Sportsman Team class to secure the win on their 105
machine. The Vets solo class was one to watch with the pre event hype having
all riders pushing for top honours. Andy Jones sprung a surprise on the
regular Vets solo riders to take a superb win in class, Mark Cockfield was on
the pace all day until a collapsed rear Mousse meant he had to ride steady to
secure his second place finish. Martyn the Badger Thomas was delighted to
finish in third spot and doing so sits in a great overall position going into
the 6-hour final race in July. The closest finish of the day went on in the
Vets Team class as Jon Ward and Paul Tonks battled against Neil Crayston and
Mark Barrow, Ward and Tonks eventually taking the win by a mere 18 seconds! A
very tired Simon Tate set his sights on the win in the Novice solo class in
the week before the event, his constant determination allowed him to keep
second place finisher Stephen Boyle at bay until the finish flag. Lewis Moore
Equalled his traveling Partner Chris Brown by taking a well earned third place
in class back to the Northeast for his efforts. Finally the novice team class
saw Ashley Turkud and Liam Parish taking the novice team class win, they held
off Glynn Norris and Lee White despite a great battle mid race. Sarah Thomas
and Josh Patrick now sit as leaders in the class going into the final round by
taking a great third place at Ripon.