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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
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RAW Enduro March on Full Gas!! As spring weather finally showed its face in North Yorkshire, the Rock Oil Championship was the grateful recipient of perfect ground conditions for Enduro Hare & Hounds Racing. Ellington Banks and the awesome amount of options available were used to maximum potential by RAW’s experienced Clerk of the Course Wayne Braybrook.
A packed Adult AM race start saw Richard Taylor winning the Sportsman class as he averaged around 13 minutes per lap. His nearest rival Nick Manger had his bid to win the race halted after his gear lever worked loose and fell off leaving him stuck in one gear for the latter part of the event. Sportsman Vets is always very competitive, the super close race saw Nick Barrow taking a happy victory, Stephen Boyle got his head down and rewarded himself with a solid runner up place with Jon Ward taking Third.
Rob Swinbank topped the Over 50 class on the day; Sarah Thomas won the Ladies Class after Newcomer Simone Wallis showed Thomas she will have to work for the Ladies Championship this season. Abbie Piggott in her first year of Adult competition took a solid third in class. A large amount of Day Entries meant the race schedule ran around 25 minutes behind, not an issue for most as they talked race tactics in the spring midday sunshine.
This was undoubtedly the best event Wayne Braybrook has staged at this
venue. Ground knowledge is key, as well as a keen eye for blending a technical
and flowing track, he certainly is keeping the established RAW Enduro
organisation ahead of the game when it comes to doing what RAW stands for.
Grading at the venue is already done so it’s prepped, recovered, and ready
for the 5 Hour in the summer. Website www.rawenduro.co.uk |
2018
Rock Oil Championship Round 2 Ripon
Youth
riders once again had their very own ability suitable course giving a lap time
of 8 minutes. William Cawte made the journey from the Isle of Man worthwhile
as he cruised to a solid Youth A Win, Sam Boyd out on his Big wheels for the
first time kept Cawte honest by following home just 15 seconds behind. Jack
Heaney took a nice Youth B win after RAW Team rider Bert Boam had a steady
start then woke up towards the end of the race to add some pressure. Finishing
just over a minute down means these two look set to head the Youth B class
this season. Brooke Mudie won the new junior auto class with tiny Jack Wade
finishing runner up. Theo Nicholson was 3rd on a 4-lap tally.
Newcomer
Lee Anderton was surprised to take the Novice class win, with MX regular David
McKay trying his hand at Enduro looking every bit ready for H&H
conversion. RAW Regular Kris Munro stayed consistent to take third place on
the day, rewarding himself with first place Championship points as the first
Club member home. Track conditions stayed very consistent on the day, as the
course dried in the spring sunshine riders lap times got faster.
After
the regular break for morning event results and trophy presentation the more
experienced Expert, Clubman, and Elite Vets were flagged away. Fast starter
Brad Lilburn and Phil Hancock led the expert pack around lap one. Zac Sherwin
last away from the start made up ground on the first lap to place in the top 4
after just one lap. By lap two he had hit the front and despite Brad Lilburn’s
best efforts the gap stayed around 2 minutes most of the race. Lilburn still
adjusting to 125 power looks every bit like a championship challenger this
season. 2017 Champion Phil Hancock was happy with his third place result. In
the Clubman class places were as tight as ever. Ben Walker took a fantastic
win on his KTM and now looks every bit a top clubman challenger. James Gamble
placed P2 with Local Eurotek KTM spanner man Rhys Bradford on local duties
taking a fine third place back home. Super Quick Vince Harker nailed the Elite
Vets class with RAW Regular Mark Raynor taking runner up place. Rob Pearce
made a welcome return to Ellington banks and in doing so grabbed the final
trophy on the day.