All content © Bob MuIIins

Protect my Income Final

Report: Phoneix Media
Images Credit: Jim Forsyth Photography

Edge Offroad finalised the end of the 2019 Protect My Income Championship at the weekend, running this in conjunction with round two of the Motul Winter Series as well. The weather has certainly turned now and let everyone know on Saturday that it is definitely winter! Luckily the all weather venue of Butts Quarry, near Chesterfield, was on the cards. We were certainly set to find out who the hardened enduro riders are! Safe to say Event Director, Sonya Jarvis and Clerk of the Course Dan Bewlay yet again created another new, safe and interesting lap at this great venue, getting lap times up to something that has never been seen at Butts Quarry before!

The Youth event got off to a flying start at 9am for a one and a half hour battle on a shortened lap of the Adult loop. Jacob Bragg did absolutely awesome in the Autos class on an amazing five lap tally in the slippery, muddy and wet conditions! Riley Freeman also rode amazingly but after having an off and hurting his shoulder, had to settle for second place this weekend, with his younger brother wrapping up the podium in third. In the Junior class Joseph Beckett decided to turn his hand to Enduro but unfortunately had no other competition in his class - nonetheless he still managed to complete four laps of the tough course and took the winners trophy home. In the Youth B class, Edge rider Jak Heaney took the win on 11 laps, with Lucas Travers back at it, having a storming ride taking second place and Alfie Marsden had to settle for the final spot on the podium. In the Youth A class, Edge rider Alex Leadbetter had a storming start, and lead the race from start to finish. Cameron Baker Haste wasn't impressed as his bike wouldn't start on the line so had to fight all race to make sure he secured the second spot on the podium, with Jaysi Austin having a great ride and taking third place in very tough conditions.
After track alterations for the AM Adult event, and a slight delay due to some technical issues, the Sportsman lads got going first. Scott Hipwell got the holeshot, and led the race from start to finish, conditions like this clearly suit Scott, he thrives in it and just gets on with it. The most gracious rider through lap scoring; a lot could learn from this youngster! So a very well deserved win under his belt! Second spot went to Daniel Wheat, who again loves the harder conditions, he just missed out on getting the extra lap in, and Richie Banks possible had his best ride of the year taking the third step on the podium. Daz Skillin took the win in the Sportsman Vets class, with Andy Longden having to settle for second nearly two minutes down on him, with Lee Parry returning from injury, taking a very impressive third place. In the Over 50 class, Andy Harvey had a great ride in the extreme conditions taking a solid first place trophy home with him, ahead of Justin Carter who had to settle for second place this time out, and Jon Wadsworth had a great ride rtaking third place. In the Ladies class, local lass Abbie Piggott collided with another rider on the very first lap, having to continue riding with a suspected dislocated and broken finger and another broken finger she had to dig deep to get through. Nearly calling it a day, when mum had to give her some kind words of encouragement, along the lines of "come on Abbie, one more lap!" and so she carried on; taking an outstanding win, with Molly Howe just missing out by 52 seconds! Molly had a great ride though, still suffering slightly with a niggling shoulder injury so she was happy to take second place. Kate Smith rounded out the podium in third. Also having to have a kick up the backside off her dad to keep her going after suffering with muck in the carb! The final class in the morning race was the Novice riders - Jonathan Clark; not a lover on the bad conditions, had to dig really deep to find inspiration to carry on, but it was worth it taking the win on the day. Young Tom Slater, who never fails to smile regardless of the conditions, was happy to take second place, giving him enough points to win the Novice class in the Protect My Income Championship. Ben Ashmore had a great day out, and was over the moon to take third place.

Yet again after more track alterations, making sure the fast lads got a decent, hard lap to contend with, it was the turn of the Premier lads to get off the line! Josh Bailey was the kid off the block in to the first corner, with James Palmer having a mare binning it into the muddy puddle and having to call it a day. By the end of the first lap Joe Deakin was out in front, which continued all race, takin the win with a healthy lead. Scott Austin decided to dust off the cobwebs and make a rare appearance - and then probably wondered why on Monday morning! But it was all worth it, taking the second place trophy home in front of Josh Bailey in third place - all finishing on 14 laps. In the Expert class, new to Enduro Daniel Parry had a storming ride taking the win from Matthew Thompson in second place and Ryan Hoare had to settle for third, but it was enough for him to secure the Expert win overall in the Championship. In the Masters class, Alex Owen took the win but not having an easy day out there. Mark Raynor loved the tough conditions and was happy to take second place home with him, and Dean Johnson was over the moon to secure third place. Finally in the Clubman class, it was the big decider for these guys! The tough conditions suited them all! Jason Hirst got on with the job in hand though and pulled the win out of the bag with a healthy lead of over four minutes, from Danny Calkin who was happy as Larry to take second place from his best mate, Robert Allen, who had to settle for third place this time out.

Results

Entries already open for the next Play Day & Round 3 of the Motul Winter Series on 16th & 17th November. Event mobile 07557 447084, for more info or to book online www.edgeoffroad.events

Also 2020 Membership is NOW OPEN! For anyone that's wanting to ride with Edge next year, either the Play Days or any races, then save yourself hundreds by doing your Edge Membership! There are 28 race dates and 25 play days on the calendar for the 2020 season, all details are on the Membership page of the website www.edgeoffroad.events/membership  - we look forward to welcoming NEW and OLD members alike to Edge Offroad!