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Xmoor Enduro Club - Rifton
Enduro
Report - Simon Thomas
Photos
- Debbie Tucker
Despite another major dose of foul summer weather, Xmoor Enduro Club took the brave decision to run their Rifton Barton Hare and Hounds on the 19th of August.
A huge effort had gone into producing another varied course. Man made hazards, a crossover bridge, 100 acres of steep woodland and some flat out fields, made for another classic 8 mile circuit.
As the competitors started to arrive and had to be towed into the car park field, it became obvious that a tough days sport was in store!
Prior to the start of the 1.5 hour youth race the Clerk of the Course had to cut large sections of the lap in an effort to allow some of the less experienced riders to complete the event.
Even championship level riders get it wrong sometimes!
As flag man Chris Holcombe fought to steady himself in the high winds and rain, the young pilots braced themselves…
First away were the 125s,Rob Cross (RM) took the holeshot followed by Ben Scott (KTM) and Harry Mitchell (YZ).These three had a Titanic scrap for the whole race, the lead swapping for the duration.
In the 85cc class, Sophie Thomas on her Team Green Kawasaki took her first holeshot of the year, closely followed by the rest of this, the largest group in the event (CRF150 included) Steve Holcombe (KTM 85) was soon showing his usual dominant form and stormed past to lead into the first wood.
The 65cc/fourstrokes were lead away by Dominic Thomas (Team Green KX) chased hard by Lawrence Strong
(KX)
The 125s and leading 85s(Holcombe, Thomas, and Luke Strong)were unlucky to fall foul of the first of many route changes, necessary to improve the flow of riders throughout the race, eventually re-joining amongst the 65cc group.
As the race drew to its protracted close, first in class were Rob Cross(125cc),Steve Holcombe(85cc),Dominic Thomas(65cc) James Brerton (4 stroke).
Huge praise must go to all the riders for continuing in the difficult conditions in particular some of the novices who struggled round to complete their single lap finish.
The start of the adult event was delayed to allow re-routing in an effort to ensure smooth progress for some of the less experienced riders.
The clerk of the course issued a stern warning to all the competitors about the conditions generally and informed them that anyone wishing to use the green 'expert' routes should be sure of their riding ability as they were good shortcuts as always, but in these conditions, would be particularly tough.
At 1pm the flag dropped and the well-supported championship class raced towards the cross-rutted first turn. At the head of the pack was Pete Bulley (CRF250) with the remaining riders in a tight bunch close behind.
The rest of the groups were flagged away at minute intervals and quickly disappeared towards the first wood section.
17 minutes later the first through the transponders and into the 'playground', an expert shortcut like a mini Tough One, was Cornwall's Pete Bulley His and other competitors' flat out style through the truck tyres was breathtaking.
Hot on his heels was Bradley Williams (RM250) and Steven Jewell (Husky125).
The lead in this, as in all the classes, was constantly changing, as one rider or another fell foul of the extreme conditions, whether it be sliding off on the shiny grass or buried in the 'expert' Big Bog section.
The spectators were hugely entertained by the antics of some of the riders in the "playground", riding over a car, log pile and truck
tyres.
For some of the less experienced riders it became a baptism by mud and even though conditions improved as the race progressed, just completing each lap of the now 7 mile course was a major achievement.
The club wisely cut 15 minutes off the normal 3 hour race duration and this proved to be a welcome relief to many of the exhausted, but happy riders at the flag.
At the awards presentation, for both event and Championship , the consensus of opinion was tough, but good, just what you expect from an Xmoor event, although a little less rain might be better next time!
Debbie Tucker
was greatly applauded as she presented a cheque for £400
to the Air Ambulance charity. These
are the proceeds from the sales of her photos from each event - so check them out at
www.photoboxgallery.com/enduro .
Thanks must go to everyone involved in running this very difficult event, including amongst many…. Xmoor, the landowner, Brian Palfrey, the marshals, helpers and of course all the tired wet competitors.
The club announced that they hope to run a "Winter Warmer" event in November and may allow competitors the luxury of an FIM enduro tyre! (Maybe!)
Adult Race:
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Championship Results: Steve
Dustow, Brad Williams, Steven Jewell.
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Expert Results: Rob Pollard,
Alex Bland, Gary McCoy.
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Clubman 2stroke: Robert
Southcott, Mark Wareham, Charles Richards.
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Clubman 4stroke: Ryan
Kendall, Jon Mackeen, Richard Cross.
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Over 40's: Kevin Delbridge,
Kevin Lamacraft, Mark Barnes.
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Sportsman: Nick Gibbons,
Michael Coates, Trev Child.
Youth Race:
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125cc 2stroke: Rob Cross,
Ben Scott, Harry Jo Mitchell
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85cc 2stroke: Steve Holcombe,
Sophie Thomas, Justin Wood.
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110-160cc 4stroke: James
Brereton, Elliott Jaques, Connor Burt.
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65cc: Dominic Thomas,
Lawrence Strong.
Full
Adult Results - Full
Youth Results
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