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Report Martin Southwick Lincolnshire Enduro club played host not only to their own event at the weekend (Round 5), but also to the first of the ACU's East Midlands Centre championship rounds too. Because of that, there certainly seemed a slightly different feeling to the race due to some fresh faces seen on the start line. Not only are the club attracting riders from further afield these days, one of the marshall's was from another continent; Australia in fact !! Once again sponsored by Gear4 Motorcycles, its the second time this year that the club have visited the race track at Willingham near Market Rasen. It was back in May when the club were there last, but the riding was much different this time. The May race was two 90 minute "sprints" whereas the club reverted back to 3 hours straight through this time. Also, the early summer race saw very slippery conditions, especially in the first half of the race after an overnight deluge. This time, the long dry spell of (very) hot weather we are having gave a lot more grip through the wooded areas etc but the stubble fields were that dry that the race line actually became shiny in places. (With that kind of underfoot condition, we may have to don slicks and go along the road to Cadwell park road race circuit next time !!!) Nearly 100 riders entered the event which ran over a 7 mile circuit. It had 6 wooded areas, (some of which were very tight,) some very fast stubble field straights, a few tyres to negotiate and also a rock garden. (For rock garden, read "boulder field". No doubt a few riders will have said thanks to the marshalls for their assistance on that one !!)
Photos are of overall winner Lee Sampson (No 564) on his was to glory/Mark Mumby getting it sideways in the over 50's (No. 888), and Robert Harmston Hall (No 49) battling it out with John Hughes (No 6) over the rocks.
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As it
was an East Midlands championship round, a few guys appear on the winners
lists who haven't been seen at the club before. The Experts class was won by
Lee Sampson, followed home by another name we don't hear much of, Tom Weston.
LEC regular Mathew Thompson was third spot on the podium. Indeed, it looks
like those riders were the only ones on the day in any class who completed 9
laps in the 180 minutes. The Clubman race did however see names we are
familiar with. Mark lonsdale was first home, with Michael Harris in 2nd and
Craig Keyworth in 3rd spot. Michaels result sees him maintain his overall
position of 2nd in the LEC competition, and has narrowed the gap to top spot
to just 4 points in that class. Another unfamiliar name is Joshua Hamilton.
Joshua won the Sportsman (2T) class and was the only rider to achieve 8 laps
in that group. He was though followed home by Carl Gordon (2nd) and Rikki
Harris (3rd). As Carl is actually leading the (2T) LEC class from Rikki, he
know sees his slender lead stretched, but its only by a thin margin. Rob
Millar won the Sportsman (4T) race, with Niall Bowker in 2nd place and
Jonathan Lister making up the top three. As Niall is currently leading the LEC
(4T) class, his 2nd place on the day sees him move further away from his
opponents. Kev Bartle (Senior) won the Trail and Classic group, and in turn
must have one eye on that class's trophy for the year. The over 40's class was
filled with names we see on a regular basis at the top. Simon Howden, Ian
shepherd and Fred Farquharson were 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively . Simon is
currently leading the class but there's a whole bunch of riders chasing him
very hard, and waiting in the wings for a slip up ! 
The
over 50's class once again was one of the biggest group of the day, with 20
riders. The top three guys were the only ones in that class to run to 8 laps.
After a lengthy spell away from racing, Neil Tapper came out top on the day,
with Mark Glover (2nd) and Nigel Ross (3rd) chasing Neil over the line. A big
thumbs should go to the two riders on the day who were in the Beginners class.
Whilst the club doesn't issue points or prizes to those riders, Ross Walker
and Marc Carter should have their hands shaken for their perseverance on a
very hot day in the saddle. Well done lads. Hope we see you at next race. That
next race is on September the 9th. Venue to be confirmed.