Race five of the 2021 Lincolnshire Enduro Club/Gear4 Hare and Hounds series saw another extremely fast event at the weekend. That area of the county seems to be becoming renowned for it!
Report by Martin Southwick – Images courtesy of Louise Burford
Run at Dembleby Heath, just a few miles away from the last race at Ropsley village, over 100 riders were on the start line in dry and dusty conditions on Sunday. The super fast fields sections were mixed in with several wooded areas, but the killer blow for some riders may have been one of the two quarry sections, one of which may have gone down as “Extreme” in certain quarters! Once again though, an “easy” route was put in place for the less experienced racers.
(In the faster field areas, one of the long fast corners even has an infamous name now… The Parabolica !)
With fourteen of the six-mile laps completed, winner Danny Caitlin found nothing extreme about any of it seems as he powered his way to his third victory for the year with the club. His winning margin in the day was nigh on four minutes. However, the rest of the podium was only split by a mere six seconds. To use a horse racing term, Elliot Milburn came home in second place by a “short head” from Mark Lonsdale in third. (Fourteen laps each). This win for Danny slightly stretches his lead for the 2021 title but it’s very close at the top of the leader board still. These three Experts look like they will be the riders fighting it out for this year’s title. But in what order? With two rounds left, it’s anyone’s guess at present!
The only rider in any class this year to win every round so far is Alan Vissian in the Over 50’s. Alan kept up his winning streak on Sunday to further his chances of the year’s spoils. A few other riders in the class had accumulated thirteen laps when the chequered flag went down but Alan had an unassailable lead by then; over two minutes in fact. Chasing hard was Andy Jackson and then Mark Peckitt, a further two minutes in arrears. Ian Shepherd and Mark lead the fight for what looks like a possible runner up spot at the moment.
The biggest winning margin of the day went to Aaron Flynn in the sportsman 2T class. Aaron and Ryan Overton were the only riders in the class on thirteen laps after three hours of racing but the winning margin was some nine minutes. In third spot and with twelve laps was Jake Norton. Ryans second place sees him leading the chase for the class title with Jakes third taking him to ten points adrift, in runner up spot for the year.
With a third on Sunday, Matthew Parkinson has eased his way into runner up spot for the year in the Clubman class. However, with Gregory Sims taking second place on the day, he still leads the pack for 2021. Darren Cox took top step on the podium on race day which does his title bid no harm whatsoever. Darren’s winning time was some ninety seconds over the rest of the pack.
In the Over 40’s class, the first three riders over the line had all accumulated thirteen laps after one hundred and eighty minutes of racing. After this battle, the top two lads have now swapped places in the rush for the title. Lee Hattersley who won on the day has now got his nose in front by just a few points after beating previous class leader Darren Thorpe into second, which is where he lays now for the year. Dean Kent was third and chases hard.
For the closest bid to become class champion, look no further than Sportsman 4T group. With two races left, just three points cover the first three lads. With twelve laps, Alex Shaw won on the day; with a ninety-second lead. That win sees him surge up the ladder for the year to third place. Adam Reavill took runner up spot with Joe Tapper in third. Joe’s placing sees him just one point adrift off the top spot for the year. David Richman leads the class, by that one single point.
The closest race of the day was in the Club “Stalwarts” group, the Over 60’s. Whilst both lads were on ten laps, John Cotterill won by a mere seven seconds from Anthony Williamson. Kevin Bartle Sr leads the class but John and Anthony are now breathing down his neck.
Two riders entered the Trail and Classic section with Shaun Avison coming out on top from Steve Kemp. Sean looks like he’s odds on for the year.
Whilst no points are scored in the “Beginners” section, it was good to see seven riders on the start line. The club hopes to see you all again on October the 10th.
Riders are reminded of the forthcoming events with the club (10th October…..Ashby P)…(7th November … Dembleby Heath)
Club details are as follows…
Club members….https://www.facebook.com/groups/577585608978128
And for non-members …. https://lincolnshireenduro.wixsite.com/lec2016
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