It has only seemed like five minutes since the dust from race three has settled down (quite literally) when race four comes along very soon afterwards. In this, the latest instalment in the LEC/Gear4 Hare and Hounds race series for the year; another four letter word can describe the day . . FAST .!
Report by Martin Southwick – Images courtesy of Graeme Taylor
With nigh on 120 riders on the start line, the four mile farmland course at Ropsley village hasn’t always been used by the club but it seems to be becoming one of the tracks that a lot of riders favour !. In all probability, It will go down as the fastest race the club has ever seen in its relatively short history. The lack of any true technical sections this time was made for up in the shape of some super quick straights and equally quick (and long) corners. Apart from a few lumpy sections to negotiate, the main “interest” of the day (Certainly for the spectators) was the small river crossing that seem to catch some of the unwary out. Anyone not keeping it upright here and succumbing to the ditch’s pull would have been very wet – It did seem to keep the marshall’s busy mind!
Danny Catlin stormed to victory once again in this, the fourth race of the LEC year.. With twenty laps over the three hours, Danny’s second win of the year has now seen him edge in front of the runner up on the day (Mark Lonsdale), in the years league table. There is now only one point separating the two riders in 2021’s standings. Mark was also on twenty laps on the day but some three minutes adrift of the victor. Whilst there is no prize for the fastest lap of the day, Danny and Mark’s quickest circuits differed only by one second. Third place man was Elliot Milner. Whilst a lap down on the two top runners, his race sees him keep a bit of pressure on Messrs Catlin and Lonsdale in the championship table.
In the Clubman class. Toby Hales also took his second victory of the year with this win at Ropsley. Thomas Sargeant was runner up, some four minutes down, with Alex Cumberland just one single second behind that, in third. After four rounds Toby and Gregory Sims are level on points in class. The top five riders on the day achieved the same amount of laps, nineteen. With a seventh place on the day, Matthew Parkinson is third overall in the title race.
The only rider in the Sportsman 2T class to gain eighteen laps with his win was Jake Norton. His rivals Ryan Overton and Matthew Valentine were both a lap down with Ryan some seven minutes in front of Matthew. Ryan leads the championship table but Jakes win sees him slot into second for 2021. Once again there was another rider on the day who recorded a second win for the year in his class, the 4 Stroke Sportsmen. Joe Tapper on seventeen laps was some three minutes in front Dean Hawley, who in turn was the same amount of time in front of third placed man Alex Shaw. David Richman leads the class.
In the Over 40’s, the two top lads on the day are now the top two for the year. Darren Thorpe and Lee Hattersley both obtained 19 laps at Ropsley with Darren edging it by one minute. Sidney Richardson came home in third, a lap down. Once again to prove age is certainly no barrier, the Over 50’s class provided the closest finish of the day. There may have been seven riders who achieved the same amount of laps, but it was won by just five seconds. Alan Vissian recorded yet another victory. He is the only rider across all classes to get a four out of four this year. Andrew Jackson was runner up with Darren Bedford taking third spot. Kevin Bartle won the Over 60’s again and looks pretty nailed on for the title this year. Shaun Avison is in a similar position with his win in the Trail and Classic section
It was good to see a healthy Beginners class once again, with seven riders on the start line this time.
All details for club member are here . . . https://www.facebook.com/groups/577585608978128 And for non-members here . . https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016
Riders are reminded of the forthcoming events with the club starting with a practice day at Ropsley on the 15th of August, and then three consecutive races.( 05/09…Dembleby Heath)…(10/10…Ashby P)…(7/11 Dembleby Heath)
Results
LEC Round 4 Jun 21- Ropsley 04 Jul 21
