Although it was a dry morning, a bitterly cold wind reminded onlookers that summer was not on the way yet as competitors arrived for Action South West's first race meeting of the year.

Adult Clubman and Novices powering through a stream.

Race day was split into two, with a 1.5 hour Youth Enduro to start things off in the morning and the Adults were to get their chance in a 2.5 hour afternoon event.

Adult Expert Startline - mucky already, but happy & having fun.

Over 30 youngsters - boys and girls, lined up in three classes for the 11am blast off. 

Matt Winterborne No92 put in a blistering first lap in the 125cc class but was soon overhauled by Ben Scott No1 who took the win with 11 laps completed. Sam Whitehead No32 came second just ahead of Stephen Bond No26 in third place.

85cc Youth class ride Harry McDine showing style.

Only a few minutes behind but also on 11 laps was Peter Knowles No5 who took victory in the 85cc-2T/150cc-4T class from Craig Down No91 in second just ahead of Ashley Scott No95 third.

110cc-140cc-4T class youth Callum Reynolds climbing a muddy bank.

The 65cc-2T/110cc,140cc-4T class saw Jay Cross No35 storm away from the very first lap to victory ahead of Lawrence Strong No10. 

Real stylish riding - gave youth Ashley Scott a 3rd place in 85cc class.

The track that ASW had setup at Huntsham was not a walk in the park by any means. There were a few boggy bits and interesting stream crossings dotted around, mixed in with superb woodland trails, a few nasty tree roots here and there. Plus a couple of jumps and some rather enjoyable field tracks in between - for riders to get their breath back.

The Adults rode a larger loop with a few more challenges.

The Adult race had quite an impressive lineup with well over a hundred riders, including 20 Experts. - Who created an amusing sight after the 'sighting lap' when they all arrived back at the start smothered in mud just like they had already finished an event !!

Some Clubmen had more enthusiasm than ability at the start !

It was noted that most other classes came back clean. The fast boys had obviously been playing again - which became obvious when they all stared laughing and joking together - and this just before the 'Off'.

Ian Putt quickly took the lead after a poor start, but later slipped to 2nd.

H'mm, in how many other sports do competitors enjoy a good laugh together just before they go out to do battle? Not a lot I reckon. Which to my mind says a lot about the type of p[eople we get doing Enduro's - they're a great bunch without doubt!

Stuart Mundell dug deep to take the overall adult win. 

The flag dropped and the Experts tore off first, followed by the other groups at 30 second intervals.

Although the Experts made light work of the first stream crossing, many of the following Clubman riders managed to get it all wrong - as they do ...and ended up in a few big piles of bikes and bodies here and there!!

Stylish all the way Steve Martin charged hard all day for 3rd.

The more cautious novices however were much slower*, but took more care and had relatively little trouble here.

* It has to be noted that one Novice entrant had apparently already just done well at a recent event - organised by another club - in the Clubman class. So to see him romping away was not exactly a surprise - seeing as he had dropped 2 classes - maybe in anticipation of a good result?

There was plenty of open going for breathers.

Expert No5 Steve Martin put in a very hot first lap with Adrian Heard No22 just behind. Stuart Mundell was also on a charge in third position with a very determined Ian Putt No15 on his tail charging from right at the back of the pack. 

Some stream crossings needed aggressive riding to cross successfully...

Ian told me later that his engine hadn't started first kick on the line - which meant he had got away last of the group. No doubt this had fired him up a little, as he quickly came through, at first pressing the leaders, then taking the lead for the mid part of the race.

...and those not aggressive enough paid the price.

However Stuart Mundell fought back strongly and passed Ian Putt at about mid distance way and managed to hold onto a slim lead of 3 minutes. But this was enough to allow him to beat the chequered flag and squeeze an extra lap to finally take the win with 14 laps tucked away. - Leaving all the other fighters trailing on 13 laps.

Sarah Putt made light work of these nasty slippery tree roots.

This included Ian Putt who put in a valiant ride for second spot. Steve Martin who fought hard for a 3rd place finish, Adrian Heard who took 4th and Stuart brother - Wayne Mundell No7 who had a good ride finishing 5th.

There was plenty of chances to get on the gas.

Back from injury but now fighting fit was the highest placed 12 lap finisher Matt Ward No2. This was just ahead - by 1 minute - of highest placed Clubman finisher Chris Ware No194, who took the Clubman win from Josh Coles No190 in second. Only a few seconds behind and pusshing Josh very hard was Adam Heard No176 in 3rd spot.

Some days nothing seems to go right !

Highest placed Sportsman was Shaun Kesey with 11 laps and highest placed 'Novice' was Matthew Kyte also on 11 laps - but no doubt will be entering as a Clubman in the future!

Wet in places - this stream crossing provided fun for spectators.

All the Sportsman and Novice riders interviewed said they thought it was a fantastic circuit and just about right as far as the mixture of tricky and easy going. The Experts and Clubman interviewed also thought the balance was perfect - and the fact that it was only 2.5 hours instead of the normal three. No doubt due to it being so early in the season and many not yet being bike fit!!

Was this guy out of control or what ???

This really was an event that any finisher - and that was most riders - should be proud of completing. For it was a well prepared circuit with some interesting challenges here and there. Kevin Butt and the rest of the ASW team had done a fantastic job.

This Clubman rider charged hard all day...

The Casimo Race Timer software had worked really well and the Juniors were presented with their trophies immediately after the race. The same however could not be said for the Adults - many of whom had not bothered to put their race numbers on properly, or in some cases - in colours that people could actually read!! 

...but this guy was getting very tired towards the end !

Incredulously some were actually daft enough to tear through the time check without allowing the hard working helpers to clean their plates, or to allow the time keepers to note their lap.

Exiting the woods and heading for one of the stream crossings.

This of course caused a few problems, which the ASW team were determined to analyze and sort out properly. So the Adults didn't get their results on the day - but this should in no way reflect upon ASW's performance - they did a fantastic job. 

But next time have promised not to worry about riders who try their hardest not to get their lap counted ;o)

DON'T LET IT BE YOU !

WARNING - stoney farm gateways are slippery !!

Adult Results HERE
Youth Results HERE