Sunday the 20^th May saw the eagerly anticipated return to Star Hill, situated just outside the picturesque Market town of Hartney Whitney in Hampshire, meaning an early start for many of the Track n Trail faithful.

With 170-Adult riders due to compete, and despite the ever changing forecast that had us packing and un-packing waterproofs all week, the sun had risen early and blazed down on this private Hampshire corner, of surely one the best all Forestry courses in the enduro calendar.

Mike and the team had promised a new track that, not only, would run in a different direction but also offered virginal new lines and routes. We were not disappointed it did exactly what it said on the tin!! The course cut its way through the tight naggery wood, with many tree stumps that lurked undetected waiting for any off line front wheels. The shiny exposed roots system that caught the sun as it filtered through the green canopy, laid almost stealth like waiting to catch out the unprepared.

At this point Track n Trail would like to apologise for the national bread shortage this week, reported by many of leading supermarket retail outlets, which one expert has put down to a unprecedented lack of pallets throughout the whole of the UK distribution network, which leads tenuously to the BOG!!!!

Running down hill Mike’s bridge, a now legendry beacon of engineering, design and grandeur still stood, off the bridge lay deep, deep, smelly, dark thick mud (get the picture?). You had the option - slowly, steadily and surely across the bridge or off and simply take your chance and good luck.

The talk, all morning, throughout the paddock as the bikes and riders un-loaded and readied themselves for the race was "How deep" "Was there line" "had anyone been through it"

At 10.30am sharp the flag dropped and it was Jonathon Hayman who was first to react charging down into turn one with Tom Smith taking a tighter line with Gary Mcoy in third.

It took James a couple of laps to find his form, after a long absenteeism from the saddle, but he began to push more and more each passing lap. Tom Smith who had now discarded the goggles was pushing Jon hard. Slowly James built up a small lead, when at the three hour mark, and after a flying last lap, James finished just three minutes ahead of Jon on 12-laps, with Tom Smith on 11-laps, just 23 seconds short of another lap.

In the Expert class Joe Duggan was first into the right handed bermed turn , Eventual race leader Paul Wallis who completed 11-laps, with David Stokes 2nd and Chris Honeywell 3rd also on 11-laps

In the highly competitive over 40’s Expert class Peter Archer put in a stunning performance, the only rider on 11-laps. Ian Proudfoot had to settle for 2^nd with Peter Young in 3^rd both on 10-laps.

In the Clubman 2-stroke George Frazier arrived first into turn one but it was Tom Klampfer that took all the points in the first race of the summer series with 10-laps to his credit. Kevin Rummings 2^nd and George Frazer 3^rd also on 10-laps.

Clubman 4-Banger group Oliver Pope claimed the honours with 10-laps and a three minute gap over 2^nd place Tyson Maton, with Alistair Gilmore 3^rd also on 10-laps.

Sportsman 4-Banger winner David Hogan just piped second place and fellow 9-lapper Stephen Mulliner with Brett Smith 3^rd on 8-laps

The Sportsman 2-Stroke saw the top three all complete 9-laps with Ashley Buckland grabbing all the points in 1^st Michal Bisaga 2^nd and Michael Guy 3^rd.

The mixed over 40’s Sportsman was clearly won by 9-lapper Glen Woodland with Rodney Crowden in 2^nd and Gary Lutring in third both on 8-laps.

The Trail class saw Darren Ankerson take a three minute lead over 2^nd place Sevki Supurgeci both on 8-laps, with Paul Bartlett 3^rd on 7-laps

So 2-Valleys next on 17^th June without doubt Track n Trails most popular track so get your entries in early and see you there.

Before I go, a new article to the race report is a riding tips feature,

Mike offers us his many years of his legendary riding knowledge and Enduro expertise, each week building into a rider’s encyclopaedia (Part one on sale with part two free).

Who can forgot Mike’s 2-Valley Off Camber crossing Lesson keeping the outside peg weighted, sitting down, using your inside leg to stabilise the bike.

Riding the bog, now remember it is best to attack a bog weight firmly back, keeping the front wheel light, and the back heavy gaining as much traction as possible