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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 Winter
Warmer ChampionshipRound 2 Bovington Training Area, Dorset Storm Caroline brought considerable disruption to the UK with snow, floods and high winds on December 10th, this didn’t deter Dorset Enduro who staged round two of the Winter Warmer series on the all-weather military training area at Bovington Camp, Dorset. Whilst most venues were under water, Bovington remained rideable if challenging. Dorset Enduro had set a challenging but sensible course given the forecast and had the benefit of hard surface parking for the competitors. Now in its third year the Winter Warmer Championship has really established itself in the South with most events fully subscribed. Race conditions were tough with a cold easterly wind accompanied by brisk showers. During the last hour of the race the temperature dropped even further causing a few riders to head for the warmth of their vans. However most stuck at it eager to capture championship points with a further three rounds to follow this winter. For this event Dorset Enduro had created a six and half mile loop with a mix of flowing forests, open tracks and tank puddles. Despite the weather, the race started bang on time with several riders testing the depth of some early puddles, they found them deep and cold and a few took an early bath.
The quality of riders in the south west should not be under estimated with the first Clubman A rider finishing in a respectable twenty seventh place! Scott KING had to work hard for the win from Zac KING with dynamo Brett ROWLAND snapping at Zac’s heels in third place. The biggest class entry by far was the Clubman Veterans with forty two riders
on the start line, a class full of experience, cunning, guile and subterfuge.
Ever young Steve TAYLOR cruised around for the win, making it look easy for his
eight laps with Dean REED and Graham ARNOLD completing the top three. The
Clubman B class was won by Aiden BREAKSPEAR from Tom PROTHEROE both on eight
laps The Sportsmen class were also out in force with new comer Daryl BILES revelling in the wet conditions, he and Scott DRAPER both stood out and may be looking to ride up a class next time. Again Dorset Enduro ran a great event in the face of a defiant storm; those riders who stuck it out to the end should be congratulated for their endurance in the face of really tough conditions. Unfortunately Jenny LONG took a nasty fall and we wish her a speedy recovery. Round 3 of the Winter Warmer series is on December 30th at Rogershill Raceway. images taken by Nick Guppy 'Kwacker Snapper'. |
As the race settled
down local hero Bradley KING emerged into the lead, he had Rob
CROSS and Richard TUCKER not far behind ready to pounce if he faltered. But
Bradley KING has developed into a smart rider and he controlled the race
throughout, he had a few moments but in the conditions every rider had a moment
or two. Bradly completed 10 laps as did the next six riders. The Expert class
saw a polished ride from Alan MORRISON, who managed to win by a lap from a very
strong Expert line up, Moss MACRINER kept his focus to come home in second with
Paul Taylor holding off Alfie COLES for third. The Veteran Experts were headed
by Jonathan TARR with Jack TWENTYMAN shouting behind him in second and Gary
McCoy finishing a strong third.
with Martin HALLETT in third place on seven laps.