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RED HOT Hapton Dust Up..

Metzeler 4 Hour Ironman Enduro

Words RAW Media
Images RAW ENDURO

In searing hot conditions, RAW Enduro pulled off an awesome race weekend at Hapton for Round 2 of the Metzeler Tyres 4 Hour Ironman series. Wayne Braybrook fired on a very different lap, almost 5 miles long, even the fastest expert riders not able to break the 10 minute lap time which was just about right for this kind of race.

Team Steer Expert riders Joe Deakin and Bert Boam, once again managed to hold off RAW Enduro team riders Callum Hughes and Josh Knight to take the expert win. Without doubt the experience that Deakin has was used to great effect, to perhaps "Old Man" the younger duo and secure a second Metzeler 4 hr class win. The Beta Duo of Harry and Fraiser Lampkin placed third in the expert class, this was Fraiser's first ride back after a foot injury sustained at Round 1 back in June.

At the other end of the start line Novice team riders Evan Sharpe and Tobias Stansfield smashed out 17 laps to take the novice class win. Ian Naylor and Paul Ford were more than happy with their runner up spot. Matthew Smith topped the Sportsman Solo class with a mighty 16 lap tally, Chris Sanderson was very happy to take runner up place, after a brief spell in the pits to clear the box of Jelly Babies for extra energy. Other solo performances to note were Steve Butterfield who rode a sensible 4 hours to take the Clubman Solo win, and local ish rider Andy Cooke who had to work very hard to hold off RAW Regular Mark Raynor for the Vets solo win. Martin Hancock had his fan club out in force to keep him pushing on, " that was a ryet track" said Martin as he crossed the finish line.

After an awkward crash on Saturday resulting in 5 stitches, Hayden Stansfield was forced to pull out of the clubman team event leaving his riding pal Lucas Travers looking for a replacement rider. Wayne Braybrook soon stepped in, after the news Ailbe O'Connel had bust his thumb whilst out riding trials. So a quick call in saw Toby Shaw and Travers team up to take a win in the clubman class, boy did they have to work, the team of Matt Stroud and James Carr pushed them all the way to the finish.

With the track in near perfect condition, no serious pinch points, and some nice shade in the woodland from the searing sun, Steve Beddows was the only Expert rider brave enough to take on the 4 hours solo. His 350 Husky did him proud as he stayed clean and tidy all race to take a well-deserved win on 17 laps solo.

Freddy Moulds and Kit Szabo topped the Sportsman team class, in perhaps the closest finish of the day, with the top 3 teams all completing 18 laps. Conner Gulbrandsen and Ryan Stoneley held on to second place after leading for some time. Simon Woodhouse and Jack Ward were delighted with their overall third place.

Results

Hapton now gets a full make over ready for 2023. Bumpy tracks will be rotivated and rolled, new bridges are being built over streams to create a brand new loop for next season in an area never before used. And a new access road running high up on the fell for some extra optional loops to test the better riders.Huge thanks goes to all the riders and crews for supporting the event, although low on numbers due to family holidays, RAW will continue to run events for riders who enjoy either leisure based riding on Saturday Pay & Play days, plus the competitive side of enduro running on Sundays.

NEXT UP - Sept 3/4th Wakefield West Yorkshire

THE BIG FINSH at an AWESOME New Venue!!! Grange Moor Wakefield for the Metzler Sprint Championship on September 3/4th Round 5 and 6 to finish the 2022 Sprint Series. Entries now Open!! MX track, Two Huge Stubble X Field AND a cool Woodland section creating the best of 3.
Entry Booking number 07970 228613 - Just text us your details to confirm a place.
100 riders Maximum.
More info on the RAW Enduro Website and Socials @RAWEnduro