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All content © Bob Mullins | |||
 
CHAMPION JACKIII Well the clocks were altered here in the UK over the weekend but one could be forgiven for thinking it signified the switch from the winter months to the summer months and not the other way round. Just over 100 riders were bathed in glorious sunshine in this the 8th and final round of the Lincolnshire Enduro Clubs 2024 year. Taking place at Ashby Puerorum, the 5.1 mile route has now seen all crowns placed on the relative class champions heads. Riding with a "spring" in his step once more in this last round was Jack Rowland with this his 6th win of the year. Riding a new bike, the Ace Suspension/350 ktm jockey had what appeared to be a seamless victory over his nearest foes, this time by a complete lap. With 6 wins out of a possible 8 this year, you could presume crowning glory was heading Jack's way anyway. However, lady luck hasn't always sat comfortably on the South Yorkshire lad's shoulder in 2024. At one point early on in the season and with 3 wins out of 3, it looked like Jack could possibly win every round ! A couple of bike hiccups and his nearest rivals breathing down his neck stopped what would have been a clean sweep of victories for the year. In this, the Experts class, any slight mishap or misfortune is obviously seized upon. Last years Champion Dan Johnson has pushed Jack all the way, and when the eventual 2024 overall winner hasn't sealed a win on the day, Dan has ! In the end, the title was only decided in this last race. As the club operates a 'dropped round' policy and the points margin was very small between the two, it was winner takes all in the last 3 hours of racing. Wesley Bell claimed the other podium spot at Ashby., whilst Lucas Travers is 3rd overall this year. The Clubman class also saw a fairly large winning margin, for victor Kieran Austin. Himself and runner up Nicholas King may have been on the same amount of laps but the gap between them was some 7 minutes. James Palmer came home in 3rd, a full lap adrift of the front two. This 2nd place sees Nicholas crowned king of the class. James is 2nd overall, with Thomas Hodgkinson in 3rd (4th on the day)
The Over 50's has seen another close battle with yet again just 2 points separating the guys trying to take the yearly spoils. The 3 guys finishing in the top spots on Sunday are the same lads that have taken the rostrum overall, but not in the same order. Alan Vissian managed another win this time out, which took him to 2nd overall this year. His win by nearly 2 minutes was over this years Champion of class, Gareth Lodge. Ian Shepherd, a further few minutes adrift on Sunday in 3rd, takes a similar position this year. The Over 40's division has been won by Andy Myers, with yet another top spot this time out. With a 4th, previous club champ Lee Hattersley has taken the runner up position this year, with Chris Belford taking the 'Bronze' medal overall. (5th on Sunday). Race day in this class saw the closest of finishes, with Andy taking the win by just 3 seconds over Rob Millar. In 3rd place was Michael Harris. The Over 60's has seen a year long scrap between club stalwart Kevin Bartle Sr and Mark Peckitt. Swapping either 1st or 2nd places throughout, Mark comes out on top by just 4 points overall, with Paul Oates taking 3rd place.
With this, the last report for the year, the club wishes to pay fond farewells to four of its leading staff, without whom the club wouldn't have survived over the previous 8 seasons. Whilst these guys are being replaced with some fresh faces, the club will never seem quite the same. Everyone at LEC wants to say au revoir and thanks to Louise, Ian, Andrew and Neil. Have a happy "retirement" folks, you leave with the club in fine shape, and with high standards to maintain. Many thanks, from all of us. The club want to say a big thank you too to all riders, first aiders, marshalls, helpers, time keepers, food stalls, photographers etc etc Next years race dates have been announced. They are . .. Rnd 1 - 9/03/25 Details are here for all things LEC. CLICK HERE . .or here . . CLICK HERE Report by Martin Southwick/Photos by Graeme Taylor... New Club Champion Jack Rowland on his way to another victory (No. 87)... 2024 Clubman winner Nicholas King...and Michael Silvester in the Over 50's (No. 34)
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To the Sportsman 2T class, and one of the closest finishes of the day. The
top 3 were covered by under 30 seconds. Jake Wilson came out on top, by just 15
seconds over runner up lad Matthew Knowles. A similar time difference saw 3rd
placed rider Jack Coupland cross the line. Jodie Lambley using this as his
'dropped round' didn't compete this time out but still wins the title. However,
it has proved to be the closest of the title races this year; Jakes victory at
Ashby sees him beaten by just 1 point. A 5th for Christian Humphries on the day
clinches 3rd overall for this campaign. In the 4T class, the first 6 riders all
had 6 laps under their belts at 3 hours. It wasn't quite so close as the 2
Stroke division though. Jason Mccullum took the win from Paige Felipes, by some
40 seconds. Barrie Atherton was 4 minutes behind that. Courtesy of the runner up
spot for Paige, he is now the 2024 title holder in the class. With his 4th spot
on the day, Ross Pearson finishes 2nd for 2024, whilst Sunday's result for
Barrie takes him to a similar placing overall.
In the newly formed Slam class, Neil Tapper has claimed the 2024 title,
although he had to play second fiddle to Harry Hinkley this time out. Kyle
Ardito was 3rd on the day, but is 2nd for 2024.The Trail and Classic title has
been taken by Andrew Malkinson, with Sean Price in 2nd. Shaun Avison, with
another win at the weekend takes 3rd spot this year..