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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 
TED FLIES TO VICTORY The people in charge of the weather don't seem to play fair when it comes to LEC's first event of each race season. In the first years race in 2017, the event saw nigh on impossible storm conditions. Some gazebo's turned into sails and are still out there somewhere !! Last year, no racing took place at all due to major snowfall and the area being pretty much cut off from the rest of the UK. This year, (taking place at Ashby Puerorum once again, and with sponsorship from Gear4 motorcycles) the conditions were once again challenging to say the least. Major rainfall the night before and then heavy showers and big winds during the race made for heavy (and cold) going. The club decided to make the "Mudfest" a straight through 3 hour challenge instead of the normal two 90 minute "dashes". Pretty tough for a first outing after a long winters break but a lot of riders seem to favour it that way. The Clerk of the course also decided to cut out one or two of the field sections due to them being waterlogged. Drowning isnt normally associated with bike racing ! The gloopy conditions saw many riders fall by the wayside and indeed, only 50 or so of the 130 entrants managed to cross the line when the chequered flag went down after a full 3 hours of racing. Most guys seemed to enjoy it though and it's a reminder of that old adage, "Just remember folks, it's only kids having fun!"
The Clubman class was a little closer with Lee Bradie, edging out Scott Booth for the points win. Both these lads were on 14 laps, but Lee had got his nose in front by a few short minutes over the 3 hours race time. Equal on 12 laps we're Jack Gabb and Jonathon Lister in the Sportsman 4T class with Jack taking top spot by some 7 minutes overall however. Last away from the start line but first across the finish line was Andy Jackson in his class. Andy beat Neil tapper who has had a long lay off from racing which all goes to prove it's just as competitive in the "Elder statesmen" group as in any other. In the Sportsman 2T class, the two guys at the top were very close going over the line together. However, Daniel Wheat had accrued an extra lap over youngster Ethan Champion as they passed under the chequered flag. In the over 40's group, regular LEC rider Jules Croft managed 13 laps but
was beaten by a single circuit by Darren Bedford. Kev Bartle (S),
The next race is on the 28th of April and sees the club venturing out of the county once more, to Butts quarry in Derbyshire. The quarry, whilst well known to some riders is a new venue for the club.Details of that race and anything else to do with the club can be found on the clubs web page Details Photos are as follows. Last years overall champion Sam Followell presents a cheque to the local rep of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire air ambulance service, Rosemary Mortlock French. This money was raised by the club last year during their club presentation and will go some way to keeping this vital service running. (Photo by John Holmes) Other photos (Both courtesy of Graeme Taylor) are (no 56) Ted Bailey on his way to a win in the Experts class, and (No 727) Lee Bradie sliding his way his own maximum points tally in the Clubman class. Report by Martin Southwick
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First
to rack up points in this, the first East Midlands Centre race of the year,
was Ted Bailey. Travelling up from the Midlands and
LEC
are always very appreciative of all helpers, marshalls, medical staff, time
keepers etc for their part in any race. A special thank you should go out for
last weekend though. Some riders may have been warm, the backroom
"staff" will not have been !