With weeks of rain on the heavy ground at Foxborough Quarry in Hedingham, the going was always going to be hard work however the passage across it was made be: it on foot 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive!
Report and images courtesy of Paula Day Photography
However, with a full entry card of riders from across the country for the seventh running of the only Eastern Centre Extreme Enduro, the day was an endurance test for marshals and competitors alike testing their fitness strength & determination providing much entertainment to the 400 strong hardened spectators who braved the weather to enjoy the days sport.
With four classes Pro, Expert, Clubman & Trials. The staggered Le Mans Start meant that the Pro riders got a flying start after a short sprint to their cold bikes with North Somerset MCC winner of the last 6 events Charlie Frost taking the lead over Ben Wibberley from Sidcup Club before the first bank and continued to battle it out for the 2 hour race over some 25 obstacles and individual efforts in deep mud with added rain to help Frost finish on a final lap score of 15 over Webbelys 13 with Ipswichs Jack Sheppard finishing on a hard-fought and respectful 11 laps.
In Expert Class winner Sudbury Clubs own Stevie Roper started as he meant to continue pulling away in first place and holding his position over his final 10 laps with Lincolnshire’s Jonathan Pearson taking a final position of 2nd after a results change with 8 laps and Chris Salt in 3rd making his journey from his home North Derbyshire club worth the drive with 6 laps.
In Clubman Class, Halsteads Michael Lyons who has enjoyed an extremely successful year on two & 4 wheels over many tracks and terrains certainly benefitted from waiting for the prize giving where he took the podium after finishing on 8 laps in front of Sudbury’s Keith Maude on 7 laps and the youngest rider in the adult event Callum Hughes from Northamptonshire who finished on 6 laps giving the older riders a lesson in agility over some of the more complex parts of the course.
The Trials section had Ryan Crisp finishing with a lap in hand on 5 Laps over Ryan Vickers and Colin Brand both on 4 laps but Brand finished sometime later after a hold up on one of the many challenging obstacles.
It was with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Chas / Tony Chaplin at the age of 84 on the 26th December. A long time Sudbury Club member holding positions on the committee including Vice Chair and Chairman and up to his passing Vice President. He will be remembered for competing in many scrambles sporting trials and later Grass track racing till Enduros and trail cross came about. Thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Results
Pro
1st Charlie Frost
2nd Ben Wibberley
3rd Jack Sheppard
4th Jamie Roper
5th Luke Parker
Expert
1st Stevie Roper
2nd Jonathon Pearson
3rd Chris Salt
4th Lee Brinkworth
5th Paul Martin
6th Andrew Hutchinson
Clubman
1st Micheal Lyons
2nd Keith Maude
3rd Callum Hughes
4th Gus Oblein
5th Terry Griffiths
6th Adam Tutton
Trial
1st Ryan Crisp
2nd Ryan Vickers
3rd Colin Brand
4th Jason Green
5th Chris Reed
6th Arran Powley
