Sunday saw the first round of the 5-race Husqvarna sponsored Winter Series, with 340 adult riders signed up due to the ever smiling, yet cold, Sue and Lucy had their work cut out with this one, starting fifteen minutes early to ensure the youth race ran on time.

Mike and the team had laid on an eleven mile cracker of a track, that offered everything, fast open flowing racing with a number of tight woods that ran through varying terrains and soil types, the wood flowed and really allowed those that dared to attack

The track was a total rework of last years, and was vastly extended across a host of new virgin lines, the 4x4 circuit still featured with mud filled bomb holes and its un-comprising jump landing run offs, which commanded the utmost respect from those airborne flight pilots, with seatbelts fasten and trays upright for a bumpy landing.

The wooden terrain was a silent stealth that ensured that those that cut its twisty nadgery lines, did so with great care as what looked so innocent and inviting was cloaked with a hooded darkness of the unknown, a mis-placed wheel, or for those that dare to cut a new line the wood soon revealed its hidden dark secrets.

The course took on a new forum as the race wound on, ruts formed through the long wooded sections, and as fatigue set in, riders began to look like the drunken uncle at a wedding, as arms, legs and bodies flapped and gaggled rhythmically uncoordinated from their machines below.

Mike had ensured that all riders attended the safety briefing early and the parade lap was underway on time, with all of the riders back on the line to observe the two minutes silence at 11.00am, which all riders and spectators did without a sound.

At 11.02 the engines roared into life as they warmed up for the main event. The front row resembled a star studded BEC line up with both Team Husky riders in attendance, Daryl Bolter British Enduro Champion and Senior E1 European Enduro Championship winner sat alongside fellow teammate Si Wakley who had recently added the Junior E2/3 European Enduro Champion to his CV. Jon Hinman made up an all star cast, and was first away as the flag dropped, with Si quickly hunting him down as the track twisted and turned across the corn field.

Mark Cornick also made a flyer and was at the sharp end of the hunt as he turned the KTM through the flowing bends of the onset of the lap. Mark keen to make an impact on the Winter Series championship from race one, was well placed before the wood struck, with hidden stump breaking his toe.

It seemed that Daryl had struggled to get away cleanly though like a cat on the Serengeti, he was quickly closing in on his pray, as the Husky turned tight and fast.

Daryl had gained the lead at the end of the first lap and began to pull a margin over Si with John chasing hard in third. Many of the riders were totally surprised to see Daryl sat motionless in the woods as he’d stopped to give fuel to Si (now there’s team work!) this then in turn left Daryl short, but he who managed to splutter back to the pits just on reserve and with bike emptier than Mike’s wallet when it’s his round!!

All re-fuelled and remounted, The Husky sport boys were quickly on race pace, and it was Daryl who claimed the Husky team bragging rights over a hard fought Si Wakley, the two riders separated by an excellent ride by the young Jon Hinman in second.

The Expert Over 40’s were next in line for the off with Antonio Caroli on board a kwacker, no at second glance it was simply Jerry Howell (obviously the Stephen Sword costume was in the wash!!!). Tom Moore made a great start on the now fully operational KTM, but it was the gruesome twosome of Pete Archer and Ian Proudfoot again to top the group in first and second respectively, with Adam Taylor a close third.

Next the experts sat motionless as all eyes and heads looked right as the flag frisked in the crisp Autumn air, Go, and it was Euan Harrison who was first to respond, the yellow Husaberg roared up the first straight spewing dirt and debris on the chasing hoards into the sweeping right hand bend.

What a tight competitive race, which saw the top six riders separated by just six minutes. It was the young and impressive Oliver Pope that took all 30-points with Will Payne in second less than a minute behind Mr. Consistent Euan Harrison in third.

In the Clubman 2-Stroke Class, which along with the experts stretched as far as the eye could see. Kevin Rumming was back to winning ways and was one of two riders in the class to break 8-laps with Tony Primmer in 2^nd place, 3^rd place Chris Blackmore just missed out by the merest of margins on that elusive 8^th lap.

In the Clubman 4-Banger it was only Martin Brown that managed the 8-lap mark, with second place Dean Lukins only a minute off, with Stuart Jackson hot on his heels in third

In the Sportsman 2-Stroke 4-minutes separated the top five riders, with it left to Giles Richardson to cross the line first just a minute ahead of Stephen Rolls in second, with Mike Ridgeway in 3^rd.

Sportsman 4-Banger group saw a three way tussle with the top three riders all on 7-laps, with just 4-minutes separating all three. Tristan Fisher was the first home with Chris Guy hot on his heels, with Jason Coombes taking the last podium spot.

The Sportsman Over 40’s saw no less than 6-riders all complete 7-laps each, with Adam Warne just piping Andrew Slocombe into 2^nd place, with Mike Hill in 3^rd.

Last but by no means least the Trail group, one rider clearly shone with David Thomas the only man to claim 7-laps, with Ian Simpson in second place on 6-laps and Matt Casey in 3^rd also on 6-laps.

Ladies and gentleman as this is the last race report before Christmas please accept the best wishes from us all here a TnT Towers wishing you a very Happy Christmas and prosperous 2008. Thank you all for your support and we look forward to seeing you all at Matchams in January 2008.

Yes Ladies and Gentleman that’s right, it’s Matchams again, see you there!!

And Finally Shit Happens People!!!!!