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Everybody was asking how the Melville Motor Club does it every year, 215 entries, a beautiful day and a full programme from Autos to Adults A, B and C. Bobby Jack the event secretary organised an entry package that was acceptable to MCF licence holders and SACU ensuring a full grid across the board. The weather has also been very kind at Lochhouses and once again the sun shone for most of the day. There were a couple of incidents that halted the racing briefly although the full schedule ran with the only problem the fading light for the final Adult C race. In the Adult A class John Adamdson took off like a man possessed although a couple of falls saw him finish second to Carlton Husband with Ryan Maclean third. The racing was first class all day with young John just being piped to the post in the closing stages of the final race when he was caught up in back markers allowing Carlton Husband to make the pass to win the overall for the day. Ryan had been playing catch up all day with a poor start in the first race although he was revelling in the sandy conditions. In the adult B class Paul Chatham started as he meant to carry on, a holeshot and a win leading from start to finish in the first race, he finished second in the second race but put the record straight again with an overtake and the overall for the class on the last couple of corners. Les Watchman finished second after a day of battling with Paul, John McNeil, Alastair Lauder and Paul Benham with John taking the final step on the podium. Adult C
Small Wheel 85 BIG wheel 85 Lee Perfect lived up to his name with some brilliant racing that saw him finish with the overall in the Big Wheel 85 class. He battled with RJ Mackenzie in each of the three races but managed to win all three. RJ put up a brave effort but finished second at the end of the day with Adam Burgoyne third. 65's Autos The Autos rode a shortened version of the adult track and they all enjoyed the attention of the watching croud. Calum Bolam won all three races Ryan Gerrard finishing second, Graham Haddow was building his confidence race by race and finished a well deserved second in the third taking third overall. The full grids led to hard work for the lap scorers and it was a full on day for the organisers. Bobby Jack and his family work really hard and do nort see much of young Bob riding as a result. Bobby must take the credit for a brilliant day of racing at a time of year when it is difficult to fins decent riding conditions. Bobby is backed by a dedicated team and the Melville club would like to thank all of them and the landowner Robert Jack. The next Melville event is the 3 hour Hare and Hound on December the 15th, the track will be extended into the wood resulting in a 12 minute lap for the quick guys and there will be a two hour motocross class that will not go into the trees. Regulations are available from www.scottishenduros.co.uk and www.entrycentral.com
The Metzeler Melville SACU Scottish Hare and Hound Championship was held at West Linton last Sunday. The weather was incredible and hydration was going to be a major issue for the Scottish competitors who are not used to riding in these conditions. The course was a mixture of fast open moor land, a sand quarry and a small wood resulting in a variable track with steep climbs and flat out fast open hills. Drew Harvey took the lead initially up a steep climb in the sand quarry. Ryan MacLean followed and it was obvious that he was judging the pace as he had not ridden a Scottish Championship Hare and Hound before. Drew led for the first two laps but once Ryan had got to grips with the course and the pace he pushed on and took the lead and never looked back with a dominant ride to win outright with 13 laps completed. Drew stayed clear of any problems and finished a strong second although a lap down on Ryan. Further down in the Experts there were all manner of incidents and problems including a big crash for Alastair Miller, a misfiring bike for Paul Chatham, Al Scotland’s bike developed sticking floats in his carburettor and poor Stuart Ross ran out of fuel on the last lap. Jeff McLeary finished third with a very steady ride on his come back to the Scottish Championship, Dean Reid finished fourth despite suffering from dehydration and Nail Patton finished fifth Expert. Gavin Johnstone won the Over 40 class with an energetic ride to take the over 40 win, Gavin was looking fast all day as he maintained his lead for the day. James Harvey’s relaxed style saw him finish a close second on the same lap as Gavin with Paul Westgarth taking the final step on the podium for third. The most disappointed rider in the over 40 class was the ever popular Mark Ritchie who rode all day at a pace that belies his age. Mark had worked his way up to fourth overall and leading the over 40’s until a major mechanical fault saw him crash heavily and he was lucky to get away without a major injury.
The largest class, the Sportsman class was the most entertaining to watch at the start up the sand quarry, once a couple of riders became stuck on the hill it looked more like the Weston Beach race rather than a Hare and Hound. There were no injuries and the rest of the day saw a steady stream of riders make it up the hill without incident. Regular Scottish competitor and camera man Phil Hewitt came home with the win with a credible 10 laps completed, Steven Anderson finished second with John McNeil third. The Melville Motor Club has been very lucky with the weather generally and this was an excellent event where most riders seemed to thoroughly enjoy themselves. Ryan MacLean is a great talent to switch over to the Hare and Hound and Enduro scene and there will be more wins for him in the future. Stephen Gilhooley and Graeme Chalmers headed up an excellent team that ran the event without incident and they were both very grateful for the use of the farm and the sand quarry that developed into a great day for all who participated. The next round of the SACU Scottish Hare and Hound Championship is the SBEC event at Ashkirk on the 7th July, details are available at www.scottishenduros.co.uk Video Link
The weather saw the last round of the Melville Motocross series cancelled due to a waterlogged track but on Sunday the 100 plus riders saw Lochhouses at it’s glorious best. With longer daylight hours and beautiful sunny weather the full race programme ran flawlessly with no injuries that required a visit to the first aid. The race lengths were extended as the track was in perfect condition resulting in some fantastic racing. Drysdale Motorcycles Neil Chatham had not ridden in a motocross for over a year and Craig Trew has been out with an injury too, that did not stop them putting on a fabulous spectacle. In race one Ryan Maclean took the lead and was being hunted down by Neil Chatham with Craig Trew riding shotgun ready for any mistakes, Ryan kept the lead for three laps until he went down heavily aggravating his wrist injury causing him to sit out the rest of the race. Neil and Craig battled on for the 15 minute race plus two laps within a couple of bike lengths of each other, Neil was able to hold off Craig for the win. In the second race Ryan again came out with guns blazing but a mechanical problem saw him drop out again, this time Craig had the upper hand and he took the honours in the second race. It was all down to the final 13 minute plus two laps final race and Neil got the holeshot with Craig hot on his tail. They battled it out lap after lap but by the time the last lap flag was shown Craig Trew had had enough, threw off his goggles and settled for second with Neil delighted at his first overall win at Lochhouses. It was the first time in at least four years that Craig Trew has been beaten fair and square at Lochhouses and to the crowds delight the two shook hands at the finish. Mark Wilson had been in the mix at several points during the races but had to settle for third.
Sean Williamson rode extremely well in the C’s and won convincingly, he did have a couple of battles with Peter O Neil who finished second and Maico mounted Paul Chiappa who finished third overall. Another clean sweep for Reece Wilson in the Youth MX2 Class and he showed the most courage through the particularly wet section in a class of his own. Dylan Carnegie finished second with Kyle Oliver third. There were only three big wheel 85’s that were in the same grid as the small wheeled bikes but there was no lack of effort from these young guns with Garry Young taking the top step, Brett Baillie second and Callum Banks third. Jordon Gill won the small wheel class and as with many of the smaller bikes he had a couple of tumbles in the sticky stuff but he managed to hold off for the win, Owen Henry finished second and Lewis Mitchell finished third.
The Autos ran on a shortened loop of the full circuit and Logan Hendry was in a class of his own lapping all the riders several times. Joshua Kerr and Ethan Clelland were more evenly matched and battled it out for second and third respectively. Despite the sandy track standing up to the worst of the weather it was particularly difficult this year and the second round had to be cancelled. Fantastic weather for the last round meant good long races for everyone and they will all be feeling that they had their moneys worth, practise started at 9.30am and racing did not finish until after 4.00pm. The most satisfying issue for the club was the lack of injuries at this popular event. Results This Melville event would not be possible without the co operation of the farmer Robert Dale at Lochhouses and the Jack family who put in a huge effort to ensure the event goes ahead and the club would like to express its gratitude. The next Melville event is the Scottish national enduro on the 27th and 28th April possibly at Herriot in the Scottish Borders. Check out the Melville website for details www.melvillemc.co.uk or www.scottishenduros.co.uk
The Melville Motor Club was thrown into turmoil when clerk of the course Stephen Gilhooley injured his back at work on the Wednesday before the event. There was still work to be done on the Saturday... and the Melville Team had to pull out all the stops to get everything ready and thankfully they managed. On Sunday the weather was favourable once again as the Melville luck came through with the best possible conditions for this time of year. The course consisted of an extended version of the stubble field motocross track plus an 11 minute loop through the woods for the Enduro riders and the extended motocross track for the two hour motocross classes. The Metzeler Melville Motor Club event is the first round of the SACU 2013 Hare and Hound Scottish Championship and this is the 100th year for the SACU. This popular event saw 120 riders start the new season with a cracking race. Drysdale Motorcycle's Neil Chatham won the three hour Expert Class for the second year in succession although he was nervous leading up to the event as he had not ridden competitively for 8 months due to a new job. An early challenge by Fraser Flockhart was halted when a problem developed with his clutch dropping him down the order but a temporary repair saw him fight back up to second by the end of the race, 2012 Hare and Hound Champion Drew Harvey finished third. Derek Little and Murray Thomson renewed their long friendly rivalry for another year at Lochhouses in the Over 40 Class. The two of them rode the first two hours within seconds of each other but as the day went on Derek managed to pull away taking the win and finishing a very creditable third overall. Murray with his smooth riding style finished second with James Harvey riding to third place. Chris Gallagher won the Clubman class completing 10 laps with a good consistent ride. Sean Henderson was delighted to finish second after dropping his bike at the start and was last away into the forest section. His riding style is better suited to the 125 and we are expecting a win soon from this promising youngster. Ryan Burton took the third also on 10 laps. The Clubman B Class was won by veteran Bill Bruce who completed a very credible 9 laps. Kevin Ritchie finished second with Graeme Paxton third both also on 9 laps. New names at the top of the Sportsman class as the top perfomers of 2012 have moved up and it was Andrew Anderson who took the win with a performance that would have been credible in any class completing 9 laps. George Macbeth finished second with a delighted Michael Tweedie in third also on 9 laps. New names at the top of the Sportsman class as the top perfomers of 2012 have moved up and it was Andrew Anderson who took the win with a performance that would have been credible in any class completing 9 laps. George Macbeth finished second with a delighted Michael Tweedie in third also on 9 laps.
There was an excellent turnout in the Motocross class and two hours on the motocross track is not the easy option it sounds. Melville regular and local Scottish Motocross star Colin Mcluckie won the A Class with 21 laps, the motocross section was very rutted and fitness and intelligent lines were the key to a good result. Chris Galloway finished second also on 21 laps with Dee Jay Bruce third. The large Motocross B class reflects one of the last chances to have a decent ride on your bike before the end of the year and there were plenty of spills and thrills for these guys in the slippery conditions. The Motocross B class riders actually completed more laps than the A class as they battled it out for the win. Josh Hurley finished on top with Keiran Marr second and Michael McClarty third all on an incredible 22 laps. The sandy track gives riders of all abilities a great day out at a time of year that is difficult to find somewhere to ride and therefore a big thank you must go to Robert dale for the use of his land. The event would also not be possible without the girls and guys who help especially the lap scorers and the event secretary Graeme Chalmers. It is fantastic that the Melville team pulled together in Stephen's absence and the club would like to wish him a speedy recovery. The next Melville event at Lochhouses is the second round of the Winter Motocross series on the 27th January, regulations are available to download from http://www.melvillemc.co.uk/ The Melville Motor Club would like to wish all officials, helpers and riders a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. |
Melville
Winter Motocross Series
Youth
MX2
Peter
Woods won the Clubman Class after battling all day with Sean Henderson.
Right from the off the two of them battled lap after lap. Sean stopped
for a splash and dash refuel and this gave Peter the opportunity to take
the lead to the finish and the win with Sean finishing second and Andrew
Bissett finished a lap down in third. Ian Bissett won the Clubman B
class with Bill Bruce second and Hamish Oag third all finishing on the
same lap, ten in total.
In
the B’s Neil’s older brother Paul Chatham took inspiration from his
younger sibling and won the first moto with Robin Bertram chasing hard,
in the second race Robin won with Paul finishing third. Paul was in the
same position as his brother needing to win the last race. Robin and
Paul had poor starts with Paul two places ahead, enough to win but as
the race developed the pair were in first and second place. Robin took
the lead and then crashed allowing Paul back, but he clipped a post
damaging his clutch perch and Robin managed to take the lead for the
final time taking the overall for the day with Paul second. Bob Jack was
out on his 125 and rode consistently through the field to finish third
at the end of the day.
The 65’s had the hardest job in the deep wet sand and they all
deserve to be proud of themselves for competing on the full circuit.
Lewis McLeary won on the day with our token girl Sarah Louise Grierson
finishing second and Sam Atkinson took the final step in third.
