Classic Victory for Webb! 2024 Smeatharpe Flyer Classic Scramble – Race Report & Results

Back on Sunday, June 23rd, the Devon Classic Motorcycle Club ran its second event of 2024 at Smeatharpe on the Blackdown Hills in Devon, which they called the Smeatharpe flyer. There was a big entry, not just in the solo classes, as the club was lucky enough to be asked to host the 2024 Wasp Sidecar celebration, which is a premier event in the classic sidecar calendar.

Race Report and Images by Dave Rich

A wide and fast-flowing track had been set out, which was watered prior to the meeting. This was to produce some excellent racing for the many spectators who were in attendance. Unfortunately, because of a serious accident, time was against the club, and because of this, they were unable to run the third block of racing. Never the less, a good day was had by all.
In the Pre 60 class there was no stopping the 500 BSA Japsa with Jack Wyatt on board as he was to take the chequered flag in both races with Sean Hawker taking second overall on his 600 BSA and third overall went to the big 650 Tribsa of Jeremy Lile.

The Pre 65 under 350cc saw Kristian Marshall, who was out this time on a 350 Cheney BSA, which he had only bought the day before at the Autojumble and was racing it for the first time, take the wins in both races, beating the 250 BSA of Darren Marklove on both occasions who took second overall with the 350 Hickie BSA of Ian Baldock claiming third overall whereas in the Pre 65 over 350cc it was William Holland on the 640 Matchless Metisse who took the overall winning both races but second overall was well thought between Thorne Pett on the 500 Jawa and Chris Hacker on his 650 Rickman Triumph Metisse who was to have a good battle in both races and ended the day tied on points but by virtue of the better result in the last race Pett was rewarded with second overall.

No 493 Thorne Pett and No 35 Christopher Hacker battling it out in the Pre 65 Over 350cc class

In the Pre 68 class, it was the 500 BSA Victor of Paul Webb who took the overall after winning both races, with Kevin Wilmer on his 441 BSA Victor taking second overall and making it to third spot on the podium was yet another BSA in the Shape of Andy White on his 500 BSA.

The Pre 74 under 250cc class saw a good ride from Gary Warr on his 250 Ossa phantom, who was to take the win in both races, with the CR 250 Honda of Martin Farwell claiming second overall, just pipping Kevin Spencer by 2 points on his 250 CRM Honda who took third overall whereas in the over 250cc class it was Kristian Marshall on his 440 Maico who was to win the opening race and he looked as if he was going to win the second moto when leading but his carburettor blew off and he was to take a DNF and it was the 360 Yamaha MX of Martin Stephens who took the win in the second race and with a second in the opening race he took the overall with Philip Nicholls on his CZ 380 second overall and third overall went to fellow CZ 360 rider Paul Mollet.

In the Pre 78 class, there were two convincing wins for Thomas Layton on his 450 XL Honda, with Simon Chamberlain finishing second to Layton on his 250 KX Kawasaki, taking second overall with third overall, and Steve Owen, who took third in both races.

The Twinshock A class saw some fast and exhilarating racing in both races, which was very exciting for the spectators who were well-engrossed in it. Adam Butt was the quickest off the line in the opening race on his 500 Honda Curtis with Kristian Marshall, who was riding in his third class of the day this time on his 400 Maico MX and the big 500 CR Honda of Luke Hill tucked in third but with less than half a lap completed Marshall hit the front and was closely followed by Hill who also got pass Butt on the opening lap. Marshall was put under huge pressure from Hill, and Hill really had the throttle wound back as they went up the hill and got past Marshall, and took the lead. These two powered away from Butt with Hill put under pressure all race, but Hill kept Marshall at bay and took the win with Marshall a close second and coming through after passing Butt was Tim Dallaway on his 500 Hickie Racing BSA to take third. In the second moto again, it was Butt with the best start, but just as with the opening race, he was followed by Hill, who this time was ahead of Marshall at the cambered section. Hill and Marshall both passed Butt on the opening lap, with Hill putting in the fastest lap of the day on the opening lap, but Marshall closed right up on the next lap and was keen to find a way past and did try going up one of the hills, but the Honda was a bit quicker, and Hill eased away again, but Marshall was quicker going down the hills and they couldn’t be separated as they entered the last lap, but Hill used all his experience and held strong and took the win by less than a second from Marshall with Zeb Dexter a distant third on his 480 CR Honda. Hill took the overall from Marshall with third overall going to Dallaway.

No 500 Luke Hill being pursued by No 581 Kristian Marshall in the Twinshock A class

In the Twinshock B class, Andy Long, on his 400 Maico, won both races and took the overall title. Second place went to Max Corps on his 490 Yamaha, and third went to Jonny Orchard on his 250 YZ Yamaha. Orchard had tied on points with Nick Lane, but with the better result in the last race, Orchard took it.

The Twinshock C class it proved a good day for Phil Ireland on his YZ 250 Yamaha, who won the opening race with Mike Popperwell on his CR 250 Husqvarna winning the second moto but it was Ireland who took the overall at the end of the day with Ben Dyer on his 604 KTM MX taking that second spot overall by just one point after a really good battle with the CR 250 Honda of Neil Jones in the second moto with Dyer beating Jones after getting the better traction out of the last corner by literally .619 of a second at the chequered flag.

Graham Challis leads the opening Twinshock C race

In the Twinshock D class, Jason Broomfield on his 490 Maico MX displayed a fine display of riding. He was to dominate both races, giving him the overall win. Adrian Toy on his 465 YZ Yamaha took second, and fellow 465 YZ Yamaha rider Andrew Wooldridge took third.

In the Twinshock D1 class, there was some close racing not just at the helm but further down the field as well. At the end of the day, with two wins, it was the 600 Husqvarna of William Lester who took the overall ahead of Kieran Webb, with third overall going to the 380 Moto Gori of Neville Calby.

No 888 Graham Roberts and No 567 Andrew Wooldridge in action in the Twinshock D class

In the Twinshock E class, it was Jeremy Knight who took the overall, but he had to be on his game, especially in the opening race as it was Robert Stone who led for most of the race and into the last corner where Knight tried his luck on the inside line and snatched the win from Stone on the line. Stone took second to Knight in the second moto to give him second overall, and third overall was to go to Julierme Bruniera.

The Ladies’ class saw only two competitors, and both wins went to Mia Milsom, who beat Claire Chapman.

In the Novice class there was a win each for Mark Plaster and Duncan Osborne with Plaster taking the overall from Osborne with Nick Trott taking a well-deserved third overall.

Francis Chiverton in action on his 441 BSA Victor in the Pre 74 over 250cc class

Results