A misty, grey morning greeted over 100 riders from 11 clubs as they converged on Foxborough for the second round of the GH Motorcycles / Beta Eastern Centre Championship. The venue’s recent improvements were immediately evident, with the car park providing ample, firm parking – a welcome change from previous years’ muddy struggles. A huge thank you to Bill Turtle for ensuring the grounds were in top condition, making tractor rescues unnecessary!
The carefully curated course offered a challenging yet rewarding experience, with options for riders of all skill levels. Competitors could choose easier routes when fatigue set in, or push their limits through demanding bog and obstacle sections.
Report and Images by Paula Day Photography
In the highly competitive Championship class, the race was marred by a crash that forced Ben Cole to retire after seven laps. We extend our best wishes for his swift recovery. The battle for the podium remained fierce, with Sudbury’s Jamie Roper ultimately claiming victory, just seconds ahead of Eddie Cracker. Ben Clark, representing Braintree, secured a well-deserved third place. All three riders completed an impressive 23 laps within the gruelling three-hour timeframe.
The Expert class witnessed a standout performance from 15-year-old Sudbury rider Eddie Belton, making his long-course debut after moving up from Clubman. Belton seized the lead from the first corner and maintained it throughout, finishing first with 21 laps. Diss riders Ryan Osborn and Jack Edwards followed closely, securing second and third places, respectively. Sudbury’s Billy Sargeant took fourth with 20 laps, followed by Dean Smith and Castle Colchester’s Rob Blackman.
With eight classes catering to all abilities, the event’s success highlighted the continued enthusiasm for the championship. The organizers expressed immense gratitude to everyone who contributed to the setup and teardown of the course, acknowledging the significant effort involved.
Results:
Championship:
1. Jamie Roper
2. Eddie Cracker
3. Ben Clark
4. Adam Durkin
5. Joe Hall
6. Joe Henthorn
Expert:
1. Eddie Belton
2. Ryan Osborn
3. Jack Edwards
4. Billy Sargeant
5. Dean Smith
6. Rob Blackman
Clubman:
1. James Holt
2. Stuart Scott
3. Adam Tutton
4. Lee Clifford
5. Jake Stansfield
6. Jack Osborn
