It was a family affair at round five of this years LEC/Back Office Pro race series in North Kesteven on Sunday. Taking place in the farming area around Dembleby Heath, a father and son “team” from Harworth in South Yorkshire both had wins in their respective classes.
Report by Martin Southwick – Images courtesy of Graeme Taylor
Overnight showers meant the wooded sections of the eight mile course were perhaps slightly greasy, but did nothing to dampen down some of the long concrete hard areas elsewhere en route however. Over one hundred riders rode the event, which utilised the local forestry, stubble fields and quarries. As is the norm, the club fed into the course an easy but longer section around one of the quarries, and a hard but time saving section for the more inclined.
The younger member of the Rowland clan Jack riding his ET James bike, has put in two appearances with the LEC this year, and has been the victor on both occasions. His first showing, and maiden win was back in February at Ashby Puerorum. The winning margin that day was some six minutes. It was a lot tighter this time though; only ninety seconds. Given that a full circuit was one of the longer ones put on by the club, there was a glut of riders on the same amount of laps at the end of the three hours. More than half of the Experts class had eleven circumvolutions under their belt as the flag went down. . . but separated by some fifteen minutes. Whilst Jack doesn’t feature heavily on the years standings, second placed lad Dan Johnson has now moved into second for 2022 with his runners up spot on the day. With his third place at this time out, Elliot Milburn has further stretched out his overall advantage at the top of the Experts leader board.
As with all classes, (and with three rounds still to go), nobody is favourite in any division as yet. Keeping it in the family was another winning Rowland, this time Jacks father Keith in the Over 60’s group. Giving up the sport to help Jack into racing some years ago, Keith is now making a return to competition…with some success it seems.Having played second fiddle to Kev Bartle Sr in every race this year, the two Elder Statesmen swapped positions this time round. Kevin had nine laps under his belt at the end, Keith going one better with ten.
In the Clubman division, Matt Harris took the spoils, with his first win of the year. That class probably produced the closest winning margin of the day, with just a minute between Matt going over the line, and then followed up swiftly by runner up George Pearce. Both of these riders have sneaked towards the top three for 2022 but third placed lad Darren Cox has gone one better and jumped up the standings to take top spot for the year. That particular class has the narrowest margin for the year with just five points splitting the top three lads.
Back to the other “Gentleman” classes, the Over 50’s group once again saw the largest contingent, with twenty two riders on the start line. Alan Vissian once again took top spot, thus adding to his three other wins this year. Whilst Ian Shepherd succumbed to runner up place this time, he still holds the lead for the year. However, that gap is closer now…down to six points. Mark Peckitt keeps the pressure on those two with his third place.
The Over 40’s assemblage saw Paul Hanks as the victor. That is one better then his previous couple of runner up places but second on the day Lee Hattersley further cements his hold on a potential title. James Andrew seems to delight in coming home in the same place . . his fifth “Bronze” of the year !
To the Sportsman classes, Scott Stone took his third win in the 2T class. That coupled with two runner up spots sees him heading the class title race still. Archie Kirk in second place saw him move up one place for 2022. A name not often seen on the leader board and in third position was Finlay Woods. In the other sportsman class the 4T’s, Alex Shaw edges further away in his title bid with a fourth victory of the year, whilst Jason McCullum on the same amount of laps (Eleven) secured second place some two minutes adrift. Ben Lonsdale was third, a further two minutes back. Well done again to all Beginners/First timers on the day. The club is pleased to see you all.
The winner of the “secret” lap prize was Beginner Mark Allan. (Thanks to Elliot Milburn at Donkz Racing for the donation ).
As it is now over halfway through the year, LEC would like to thank all helpers, marshalls, first responders, time keepers, caterers and above all the riders.
Riders are reminded of the next race which takes place at Ropsley on the 11th September. Entries at the normal outlets !
Club details here . . (members) https://www.facebook.com/groups/LincolnshireEnduroClub . . . . . . .(and for non members). . https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016
Results
Round 5 Dembleby Heath Finalised results
