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All content © Bob Mullins | |||
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TOP MARK (S) Good things come to those who wait as the saying goes, and they did just that at the weekend for local lad Mark Lonsdale. At the last round of the 2022 Back Office Pro Lincolnshire Enduro club race series, the Grimsby based Husky rider eventually managed a much sought after class victory after some near misses throughout not only this year, but 2021 also. It was possibly one of the closest races in the year, with each of the Experts all taking turns to produce a faster time than his rivals on different laps. However, the race was won in the latter stages as Mark saved his best while last and produced quicker times than everyone on six out of the twelve laps completed. Fuel "issues" played a part in the race too, in more ways than one. Dan Johnson succumbed to petrol problems late in the race whilst Mark used a tactical early fuel stop to his advantage. The days victor also produced the fastest lap of the day on the 6.5 mile course putting down a time of 14.51 minutes; and in addition now claims runner up spot for the year. The Dembleby track is normally one of the fastest in the LEC calender, and this time was no different. The route for the 80 or so riders took in the local plantations, copse and quarry sections, as well as the now infamous super fast stubble fields introduced to give rest to man, if not machine ! Coming home in runner up spot on the day was Josh Knight. Whilst Josh only had one lap quicker than everyone else, consistency is key. In fact, most of his lap times were within a few seconds of his others. Josh and 3rd placed lad Elliot Milburn must have been swapping paint early on in proceedings as their times were within just a few seconds of each other for 3/4 of the whole 3 hours. In the end, all those fine margins add up though...Josh getting the better of Elliot by nigh on 4 minutes when the chequered flag was waved. With that third place, Elliot is now crowned L.E.C. Expert champion for 2022. Dan Johnson secured the third spot in the yearly standings.
As per above, a similar thing happened in the Clubman class where Victor Tizon finally got on the top step of the podium after a year of trying in this, the last chance to seal points towards the title. That win for Victor sees him share 3rd place in the years standings with his close rival Matthew Woolridge, who was a no show on the day. Runner up on the day was Darren Cox and is now crowned Clubman class title holder. The win was by a little over a minute. A further 6 minutes behind that was Alex Cumberland in Bronze medal position. With his 4th place on the day, Matt Harris has claimed 2nd overall for 2022. A large winning margin was observed in the Over 40's class, where Lee
Hattersley not only took another win but secured the division title. Whilst
Lees's winning margin may have been significant on the day, the gap separating
Darren Thorpe in 2nd and Justin Lawson in 3rd wasnt so. . . Just 8 seconds in
fact. Without competing on Sunday James Andrew is now runner up in class for the
year, with Justin's 3rd spot seeing him take the Bronze place overall. Just
those guys in class completed 11 laps by the end of the race.
The club would like to say thank you to all marshals, helper's, timekeepers,
food suppliers, first aiders, photographers, and anyone else involved with LEC
in 2022. The club wouldn't exist without you. Roll on next year. . .and for non members here . . https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016 Photos are of race winner Mark lonsdale (Blue Gilet).... Experts Champion of 2022 Elliot Milburn. (No 233) . .and smiling youngster Charlie Sutherland finishes the sportsman 2T race Report by Martin Southwick/Photos Graeme Taylor.
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