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All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
 
2019 Protect My Income RAW Challenge 6-Hour Enduro
Driffield Wayne Braybrook took a 6:30am track inspection at Driffield last Sunday, along with his vast knowledge of this venue, to shorten the scheduled 6-hour race down to 4. Although some said they wanted six hours, the damp conditions saw people admit during and after they couldn't have coped with more than four on that given day. In the week leading up the race the course was prepared to run in any weather, nice and wide with some fast flowing grassland sections Driffield produced an average 14 minute lap which was just perfect. With hardly any DNF's this just proves that experience is key to successful events.
So that's a wrap on the Protect My Income sponsored RAW Challenge Series for 2019. For 2020 the Championship will see a new format 3 race schedule which are all 4 Hours duration, this is to keep the On track action that little bit more competitive, whilst still giving the Iron men a great workout. Thanks to all the riders who rode in this years Championship, next years will see some new venues and with a new timing system in place, pit crews will be able to track competitors from the Pit area via new timing screens. The Next RAW Event is Rock Oil Round 8 the Final race of the Championship
at the stunning Hapton Venue just outside Burnley in Lancashire on October
12/13th. For more event info hit the link below to visit the recently updated
RAW Enduro Website. |
Greg Hough is a self confessed lover of the longer ironman races, his
expert win at round three was enough to seal the championship for 2019. Matt
Parkinson stepped up from clubman to expert and has faired well all season,
runner up, on the same laps as the winner, was a great result. Craig Keyworth
used this event as yet another test for his upcoming Dakar assault, running
dry on fuel Keyworth showed the upmost regard for the rules by pushing his
bike to the finish line, this took over 45 minutes, respect to Craig for the
long push and obeying the RAW Rules. Marc Vardy and Wayne Braybrook had
already won the Expert Team class before the race started, so a no pressure
ride saw both riders enjoying a rip round to finish their 2019 partnership in
style. RAW Team rider Lewis Moore took his Husky 450 out at Driffield and
revelled in the greasy fast open conditions, his 18 lap solo tally grabbed him
the Clubman solo win from local lad George England. Finlay Horsley was top
sportsman on 17 laps, Finn passed the timing clock with just 9 seconds left on
it meaning he had another full lap to complete before he finished the tough
four hour race. Brandon Burns and Billy Rippon were on top form taking the
Sportsman Team win, Ashley Carroll and Nick manger placed runner up and in
doing so take runner up in the overall standings on a tiebreak. Steve
Butterfield and Matt Wakefield finished their Dream team season on a high,
with third place at the final race to take the overall Sportsman Team win by
just 7 points. In the Novice solo class, another great field of riders raced
hard for four hours, Ben Francis was delighted to take the win and beat his
mate Chris Sanderson who placed runner up. Bert Boam was stand out rider of
the day, finishing third place on his 85cc KTM, the RAW Team rider never gave
up during the 4 hour race. Lee Stoyles and Dean Bromley had a great weekend
chasing the Novice Class win, a victory at the final round wasn't quite
enough, as Sarah Thomas and her stand in partner Hayden Stansfield placed
runner up to get just enough points to seal the overall championship. Thomas's
regular team Mate Abbie Piggott was on holiday, but will be back to collect
the Novice Team winner's trophy at the presentation night on November 16th.
Weather conditions during the race were very constant, light rain and
drizzle did nothing to change the Driffield course. The 5 woodland sections
stayed pretty much dry all day; the greasy grassland where water from puddles
had dragged through kept riders honest but in no way did it hamper anyones
progress. Mark Vardy had his two Weetabix for breakfast and went on to smash
the vets solo win in fine style, his nearest challenger Andy Williams placed
runner up, with "Dakar Mechanic to be" Derek Carr grabbing third
place after a steady hassle free ride. Head and Shoulders above the rest all
Season Andy Harvey and Rob Gregory won the Vets Team class with 3 straight
wins to take the championship. Martin Harvey and Mark Lowndes finished runner
up, whilst the likeable duo of Steven Dean and Andy Kirby grabbed third on the
day to finish runners up overall in the championship.