In sweltering ‘Sahara-like’ heat conditions, defending TBEC Champion Toby Bailey racked up his fourth straight win from four events at Ironstone, near Kettering on Sunday.
Race Report and Images by Roger Allen
On a 6 mile circuit that combined fast open grassland with nadgery log jumps, steep ups and downs and close-knit forestry, the Cheltenham flyer emerged the overall victor for the fourth consecutive event this year, winning each of the 2 hour morning and afternoon hare-and-hound enduros in fine style.
Snapping at his heels in the Elite class was seasoned campaigner Dan Smith on his #8 GasGas. He led off the 10.30am start for the first few laps with Bailey seemingly content to tuck in behind him on his #1 KTM. Once again, the pair pulled away from the chasing pack, but perhaps by this time the heat was beginning to take its toll, with the Cheltenham man executing a clean pass on Smith when they exited the woods and then opening up a 35 second gap. By the time he pulled in to end the morning session Bailey had completed 7 laps of the hard-baked Ironstone circuit and in the process had dipped into the sub – 16 minute laps, the only rider to do so in recording a 15.57.
The one hour lunch break was, no doubt, welcomed by all as the temperature climbed to 30⁰. The canny organisers had arranged for the afternoon session to be run in the opposite direction, so presenting a completely different challenge to the riders.
Bailey didn’t waste much time and did his usual disappearing act with Smith trying to stay in touch but after extending his lead Bailey waved frantically to his support crew that something was wrong. It transpired that his clutch lever was coming loose, but a lightning-quick pitstop saw him smartly on his way again. Trailing behind them in the oppressive heat, Ryan Crisp was motoring well on his Fantic and turning in some great lap times while 17 year old Josh Watson was also notably quick on his 300 KTM, and this effort kept him at the top of the under-21s. After fourteen strength-sapping laps of riding, Toby Bailey pulled in to the timing tent to win the TBEC four hour enduro. Dan Smith ended a worthy second, albeit just over two minutes behind. James Foxley #355 topped off the leading trio followed by the #170 of Ryan Crisp.
E3 amateur movie-maker, Ed Harris, brought his KTM home in a great fifth position overall, giving away just 5 points in time penalties compared to the 9 points of sixth place E2 finisher #19 Ryan Brown. Elite rider Paul Owen gallantly raced his little 150 KTM #26 to a superb seventh overall. Top of the Vets was #58 Eagan Bruley who completed 13 laps. First lady home was Trail class rider Emily Davey #64, who finished a creditable 53rd. A great finale to end the 2023 TBEC Ironstone Enduro, and hats off to the organisers for laying on yet another great event.
Check in to Dirthub next month for a full report of the next TBEC Enduro at Houghton Conquest on 9th July. See ya! RA.
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