|
|
||
All content © Bob MuIIins | |||
  
Metzeler 4 Hour Ironman Enduro The eagerly awaited first Metzeler 4 Hour Ironman Enduro ran at a completely new course around Hapton in Lancashire. For the first time ever, and with recent dry weather helping the cause, Clerk of the course Wayne Braybrook opted to run a new loop which went down a treat with the riders over the weekend.
First up a small but talent packed Youth event ran for a full 2 hours. Having tricky conditions for the first part of the race courtesy of a heavy rain shower at 8am, Ailbe O’Connell ripped his Gas Gas 85 big wheel around to take a solid Youth A win from RAW Regular Karl Hancock. James Meakin grabbed the final podium place for his efforts on the day, James then went on the support his dad in the adult race who did the entire 4 hours without refuelling. The inform Bradley Crabtree smashed the Youth B class with Bailey Holmes taking runner up spot from Theo Nicholson. Annabel Bolt won the Auto Class from Jenson Fox, some achievement around such a huge long lap on little wheels.
As riders started to pit and teams changed at the halfway stage, Tom Slater found his rhythm and had to work hard to keep Clubman Vet rider Alex Owen behind him to the end of the race. Both riders completed 20 laps solo. Steve Butterfield was looking to wait at the finish line with just 20 seconds left on the clock, a brief heckling saw Butterflied grabbing Third place in class for the extra lap completed. In the Clubman Team Class the top teams were super close on lap times as they duelled for podium places.
A self-confessed lover of the longer Ironman Races, Andy Cooke won the Vets Solo class from Mark Raynor, both men completed 18 laps with Jon Robson third on 17 laps. Anthony Foulkes and Jason Clarke arrived at Hapton fresh from an 8 hour race the previous week. Fully recovered the pair took an emphatic Vets Team class win ahead of Mick Savin and Martin Benson in runner up place.
Massive thanks to everyone for supporting the event, in particular the
RAW marshals for keeping those wheels turning all day. Thanks to all participants for keeping the club moving forward during these very testing times. More info on the RAW Enduro Website and Socials @RAWEnduro |
With
lots of uphills, flowing grass sprint sections, and some flat out horsepower
sapping climbs, it was awesome to see everyone having fun racing across all
classes.
At
11:15 the main Metzeler Adult 4 Hour event was fired into life. Team Steer
Riders dominated the front row and the early laps of the race. With all
Expert riders starting at the same time, there was no Solo riders pacing
themselves, it was racing from the drop of the flag. Joe Deakin romped on to
take the overall Expert solo class win from his team Mate Richie Moorhouse
in runner up place. Expert 2 man team honours went to Mitch and Ashton
Brightmore, Ashton had to pit to change a wheel after his tyre bead snapped,
leaving his brother to do a couple of extra laps. Jed and Jason Balmer
surprised some regulars with their speed to take runner up place on 22 laps.
Beta
riders Josh Knight and Callum Hughes ripped up the Hapton Grasslands to take
a cool win, Will Cawte made the journey across worthwhile taking runner up
with his teammate Lewis Heliwell. As always at RAW Enduro, the clubman class
is jam packed with the next wave of young guns seeking expert class rides,
all the current Clubman top runners are proving they’re almost ready for
the next step up.
Over
the 4 hours not one part of the route was compromised or cut out, yet
another fantastic course plan, delivered by the RAW Enduro team which
catered for all ability levels showing great competitive fights across race
distance.