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![]() ![]() Maiden for Milburn ! Its all getting a little bit close in the race for the Experts "title" in Lincolnshire Enduro Club's/Back Office Pro 2023 series. Elliot Milburn with his first win of the year at the weekend has now put the squeeze on Dan Johnson somewhat. Whilst Dan leads the group overall, he has now seen his lead at the top of the division reduced to seven points from the previous nine. On the day, Dan couldn't quite get to the line in time for another lap in this the fifth event of the year but with a few minutes in hand after his eight lap, Elliot managed the one extra loop that secured victory over his nearest rival, thus taking maximum points. Elliot also "won" the fastest lap of the day award too; 20.32 over the 9.5 mile mixed field/quarry/woodland track. Not only was It a race long battle between the two on track, it was a clash in the refuelling area too as they both fought to get in/out as quickly as possible. Whilst It was only in the last thirty minutes that Elliot started to pull out his winning gap, victory still wasn't secure. It involved an unplanned 1/4 mile run to the pits for even more fuel as the "Donkz Racing" FE Husky 350 decided it had used up all its Unleaded !! Given the stifling heat and dust of the day, perhaps like most riders, it felt like a lie down after its exertions !. Mark Lonsdale came home on the same lap as Dan, (Eight) but some four minutes adrift. Mark is in third overall for the year and is awaiting any slip ups from the leaders.
Only one rider through all classes has seen a clean sweep of wins this year. However, that winning streak came to end on Sunday though for Scarboro' lad Mark Peckitt in the Over 60's. Due to a "mechanical", he succumbed to a DNF this time, leaving Kev Bartle Sr to take his second win of the campaign. Paul Oates was runner up, but only a minute adrift; both riders on seven laps at the end. Even with "nul points" on the day still heads the championship table, by four points. Staying with the "Older but perhaps not wiser" classes, it could be said that Lee Hattersley in the Over 40's has one hand on the title. His win on Sunday was his hat trick for the year and takes his 2023 tally to more than thirty points in front of nearest rival. That rival is Alex Shaw, who came home third on the day, also on eight laps. Sandwiched between the two in second place was Alan Vissian, but only a handful of seconds behind the winner. Richard Price who came home forth, is in third place for this year.
Extra thanks go to everybody concerned with the race/track set-up. Taking into play the temperatures that got close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and the dust, conditions were anything but comfortable out there. Well done to all competitors too. The next round is on the 22nd of October, venue to be confirmed. Entries will be on line (ACU) asap. Members details here https://www.facebook.com/groups/LincolnshireEnduroClub And for non members here https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016 Report by Martin Southwick/Photos by Graeme Taylor . . . Elliot Milburn (No. 233) and Dan Johnson (No. 94) in their race long dogfight; Steve Dickenson (no. 370) and No.45 (Antony Jelley) eat dirt in the Over 50's class, and Justin Lawson (No. 639) heads into one of the quarry sections. |